Discovering you have an ovarian cyst can be unsettling, but it’s a very common experience. Most women will have an ovarian cyst at some point in their lives, and the vast majority of these are harmless and resolve without any intervention. However, it’s important to understand the potential symptoms and to know when a cyst might require medical attention.
This article provides a focused look at the symptoms and types of ovarian cysts. For a more comprehensive overview of this and other related conditions, we encourage you to read our complete pillar post, Ovarian Cysts, Fibroids, and Uterine Conditions: A Patient’s Ultimate Guide.
What Is an Ovarian Cyst?
An ovarian cyst is simply a fluid-filled sac that forms on or inside of an ovary. They are most common during your reproductive years and are often a byproduct of the normal menstrual cycle.
The Most Common Symptoms
Most ovarian cysts are small and don’t cause any symptoms at all. You might not even know you have one until it’s discovered during a routine pelvic exam. When symptoms do occur, they are often due to the cyst growing larger, bleeding, or pressing on nearby pelvic structures. Common symptoms include:
- Pelvic Pain: This is the most frequent symptom. It can manifest as a dull, constant ache or a sharp, intermittent pain on one side of your lower abdomen.
- Bloating or a Feeling of Fullness: A large cyst can cause a noticeable feeling of pressure or heaviness in your abdomen.
- Pain During Intercourse (Dyspareunia): Depending on the cyst’s location, you may feel pain during or after sex.
- Changes in Your Menstrual Cycle: You might experience irregular periods, spotting between periods, or a change in the heaviness of your flow.
Urinary or Bowel Issues: A large cyst can press on your bladder, causing you to feel the need to urinate more frequently, or on your bowels, leading to a feeling of pressure or difficulty with bowel movements.
Understanding the Different Types of Cysts
- Functional Cysts: These are the most common type and are directly related to your menstrual cycle. They include follicular cysts (when an egg isn’t released) and corpus luteum cysts (which form after an egg is released). They are almost always benign and typically disappear on their own within 1-3 months.
- Dermoid Cysts: These form from reproductive cells and can contain tissues like hair, skin, or even teeth. They are not cancerous but may be surgically removed if they become large.
- Endometriomas: Also known as “chocolate cysts,” these are caused by endometriosis. They form when endometrial tissue attaches to an ovary and are filled with old blood.
- Cystadenomas: These develop from the surface of the ovary and are filled with a watery or mucous-like fluid. They can grow to be quite large.
Red Flag Symptoms: When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
While most cysts are harmless, there are two complications that are considered medical emergencies.
- Ruptured Cyst: If a cyst bursts, it can cause a sudden, sharp pain in the lower abdomen. While many ruptured cysts are managed with pain medication, some can cause significant internal bleeding and require medical intervention.
- Ovarian Torsion: This is a rare but serious complication where a large cyst causes the ovary and fallopian tube to twist, cutting off their blood supply. This is an intensely painful condition that requires emergency surgery to untwist and save the ovary.
Seek immediate medical help if you experience:
- Sudden, severe, and unrelenting pelvic or abdominal pain.
- Pain accompanied by fever, vomiting, or signs of shock (like cold, clammy skin, rapid breathing, or lightheadedness).
Diagnosis and Peace of Mind
If you are experiencing symptoms that you suspect may be related to an ovarian cyst, the first step is a consultation with your OBGYN. A pelvic exam can often detect the presence of a cyst, and a transvaginal ultrasound is the best tool to confirm the diagnosis. The ultrasound allows your doctor to see the cyst’s size, shape, and composition (whether it’s fluid-filled or solid), which helps determine the next steps.
For most simple, functional cysts, the recommended course of action is “watchful waiting”—monitoring the cyst with a follow-up ultrasound in a few months to ensure it has resolved. If a cyst is large, complex, or causing persistent pain, your doctor may discuss surgical removal (a cystectomy), which is often done through minimally invasive laparoscopy.
Experiencing pelvic pain can be frightening, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. If you have concerns about ovarian cysts or are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed, the expert team at East Coast OBGYN is here to provide a clear diagnosis and compassionate care. Schedule a gynecological care appointment at our Brooklyn or Flushing clinic to get the peace of mind you deserve.