Ovarian cystsare fluid filled, small sacs that can sometimes grow in your ovaries. Most ovarian cysts go away on their own, but if your ovarian cyst continues to grow, it can cause uncomfortable or even serious symptoms.
Being aware of the symptoms of ovarian cysts is important, so you can know when to get medical help to treat them.Anita Gondy, MD,Saovaros V. Michaels, MD, andHenry Luh, DO, the OB/GYN team atWomen’s Health Associates of Southern Nevada, Northwestin Las Vegas, Nevada, share 7 of the most common symptoms of ovarian cysts.
7 ovarian cyst symptoms
If your ovarian cyst is small and goes away without any treatment, you might not experience any symptoms. If your cyst gets larger, though, you could experience any of these common signs of ovarian cysts.
1. Pelvic pain
You might experience pain in your pelvic area or lower abdomen if you have an ovarian cyst. The pain can be dull, intermittent, or more frequent and persistent.
2. Bloating
Ovarian cysts sometimes cause you to feel bloated or swollen in your lower abdomen, especially on the side where you have the cyst. You might also experience a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the swollen area.
3. Pain during intercourse
You might notice sexual intercourse being more painful. Some women also have abdominal pain or discomfort shortly after intercourse.
4. Painful menstrual periods
Your period cramps can intensify when you have ovarian cysts, or you might start experiencing new or increased pain during menstruation.
5. Atypical menstrual bleeding
You sometimes also experience changes to yourmenstrual cyclewhen you have an ovarian cyst. This might mean your menstrual flow becomes noticeably heavier or lighter, or your periods may become irregular.
6. Difficulty during urination
Larger ovarian cysts can cause you to need to urinate more frequently or have difficulty emptying your bladder. You might also feel pressure during bowel movements and have more trouble passing stools.
7. Severe pelvic or abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting
If your pelvic or abdominal pain is severe, this can be a sign your ovarian cyst has ruptured. Vomiting and fever can indicate a torsion, which means your ovary is twisted around its own ligaments.
Ovarian ruptures and torsions are medical emergencies and require immediate medical care. Make an emergency appointment with WHASN – NW or seek emergency care if you have these symptoms.
Treating ovarian cysts
If your ovarian cysts are large enough to cause symptoms, make an appointment at WHASN – NW for an examination. Treatment of nonemergency ovarian cysts includes monitoring the cyst, and medical and surgical treatment.
When your cyst only causes mild symptoms and isn’t that big,our teamcan monitor the cyst to make sure it doesn’t get worse. Your cyst might still go away without further treatment.
If your cyst isn’t getting smaller and is causing you difficult symptoms, our team can medically manage your symptoms with the medication Lupron®. Lupron shrinks ovarian cysts and helps reduce your symptoms.
Another option for ovarian cyst removal islaparoscopy. This minimally invasivein-office procedureremoves your cyst with tiny incisions and a quick recovery time. If you frequently get large and painful ovarian cysts, our team can help you choose a form of hormonal birth control that helps prevent cysts from recurring.
If you have symptoms of ovarian cysts, our team can help.Callour office orrequest an appointment onlinetoday.
Author:The ObGyn Center
The Ob-Gyn Center is proud to offer comprehensive women’s health services in a warm and welcoming environment, and they strive to make each gynecology and obstetrics visit a rewarding experience. The practice serves women of all ages in the greater Las Vegas area. Offering the full scope of women’s health care, the team provides the highest possible level of care. Read more
FAQs
Usually it's nothing to worry about, but tell your doctor if you have new symptoms of pelvic pain, bloating, heavy bleeding, or bleeding outside of your period. You may need surgery or other medical treatment for ovarian cysts that get bigger, cause symptoms, or don't go away on their own.
What are the red flags of ovarian cysts? ›
Usually it's nothing to worry about, but tell your doctor if you have new symptoms of pelvic pain, bloating, heavy bleeding, or bleeding outside of your period. You may need surgery or other medical treatment for ovarian cysts that get bigger, cause symptoms, or don't go away on their own.
What's the worst that can happen with an ovarian cyst? ›
Cysts can develop in response to a pelvic infection (called an abscess). If an infected cyst ruptures, it can trigger sepsis, a life-threatening immune response to harmful bacteria.
What are the sighs of an ovarian cyst? ›
Pain with intercourse or pelvic pain during movement. Pelvic pain -- constant, dull aching. Sudden and severe pelvic pain, often with nausea and vomiting (may be a sign of torsion or twisting of the ovary on its blood supply, or rupture of a cyst with internal bleeding)
What can be mistaken for ovarian cyst? ›
Differential Diagnoses
- Gastrointestinal issues can include constipation. ...
- Appendicitis can cause intense pain in the lower abdomen that can be similar to the pain of a ruptured ovarian cyst. ...
- Diverticulitis can result in pain or discomfort that can be mistaken for ovarian pain.
Most ovarian cysts are small and don't cause symptoms. If a cyst does cause symptoms, you may have pressure, bloating, swelling, or pain in the lower abdomen on the side of the cyst. This pain may be sharp or dull and may come and go. If a cyst ruptures, it can cause sudden, severe pain.
What makes an ovarian cyst suspicious? ›
A doctor may suspect an ovarian tumor, and perform additional testing, if an ultrasound indicates the mass looks solid and complex (as opposed to fluid-filled and simple), and if there is increased blood supply flowing to it.
How much weight gain can ovarian cysts cause? ›
Ovarian cysts might cause abdominal bloating, but they're not associated with weight gain.
Where is the back pain with an ovarian cyst? ›
This pain may be dull or sharp, and it may come and go. A cyst that breaks open (ruptures) may lead to sudden, sharp pain. Other symptoms of an ovarian cyst can include: Pain in the lower back or thighs.
What does a cyst bursting feel like? ›
For many women, a ruptured cyst can be excruciating. Some say it feels like an attack of appendicitis, especially since ovarian cysts are more common on your lower right side, near your appendix. However, the pain can be on either or both sides of your abdomen.
Bloating, or a feeling of fullness or heaviness in the abdomen. Nausea and vomiting, similar to morning sickness. Feeling you need to urinate or pass a bowel movement if a cyst is putting pressure on your bladder or pressing on your bowel, respectively. Constipation can be another symptom of ovarian cysts.
Where is ovary pain located? ›
If you have ovarian pain, you probably feel it in your lower abdomen (below your belly button), pelvis or in your lower back. Sometimes, only one ovary hurts at a time. Other times, you may feel pain in both ovaries. Ovary pain can be chronic or acute.
Can a doctor feel an ovarian cyst? ›
Diagnosing ovarian cysts may include: Physical exam. A doctor may feel a cyst during a pelvic exam.
What does ovarian cyst rupture discharge look like? ›
Spotting or light vagin*l bleeding
Sometimes ruptured ovarian cysts can trigger spotting or light vagin*l bleeding at times when you don't expect it.
Why do ovarian cysts cause shoulder pain? ›
The ovaries — Ruptured ovarian cysts are often a normal part of a woman's menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, they can also cause right shoulder pain and discomfort. The reason? A ruptured ovarian cyst can irritate the nerves running up to your diaphragm and between your shoulders.
Can an ovarian cyst cause fatigue? ›
Feeling full or bloated. Increase in need to urinate. Fatigue. Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
How do you know when an ovarian cyst is serious? ›
Living with an ovarian cyst
This can cause a lot of pain and heavy bleeding. If you know you have an ovarian cyst and you experience any of the following symptoms, get medical help right away: Sudden, severe abdominal pain. Abdominal pain with fever and vomiting.
When should I be concerned about an ovarian cyst? ›
Serious cyst concerns
If you have pelvic pain with fever, nausea, and vomiting, it could be a sign you have an infection associated with the cyst. An infection deserves immediate medical attention. Cysts can also rupture or twist — a condition called torsion.
How do you know if an ovarian cyst has turned cancerous? ›
Blood tests including a CA125 blood test can help your doctor work out if a cyst is cancerous. Your GP may offer you a CA125 blood test if you have a complex cyst (with blood or solid tissue in it).
