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Symptoms of an Ovarian Cyst

Ovarian cysts are growths that appear on the outer or inner lining of the ovaries. The Mayo Clinic mentions that many women develop these fluid-filled sacs, but not every woman experiences symptoms. To diagnose the condition your doctor may use a blood test or an imaging test such as an ultrasound. Certain kinds of cysts can also be diagnosed using a pregnancy test. Your doctor may choose to take no action at all and just monitor the cyst, or may suggest surgery.

  1. Pelvic Pain

    • One of the common symptoms of an ovarian cyst is pelvic pain. In many cases it is a dull ache that originates in the pelvic region, and then may also create referred pain in the thighs or back. You may experience pelvic pain immediately prior to the start of your menstrual cycle, or you may experience the pain just before your menstrual cycle ends. It is also possible that you will experience pain during intercourse.

    Digestive Symptoms

    • There are also some digestive symptoms associated with an ovarian cyst. You may start to feel pressure pushing down on your bowels that could make bowel movements painful. Urinating may also be painful. Some of the digestive symptoms you may experience might be similar to the feelings you get while pregnant. You may begin to feel nauseous and that could lead to vomiting. You may also notice that your breasts are becoming tender to the touch.

    Spotting

    • One of the symptoms of ovarian cysts is occasional vaginal spotting when you are not scheduled to go through your menstrual cycle. The spotting can happen at random, and it could last for several hours or several days. Infertility may also be a symptom of ovarian cysts.

    Cyst Pain

    • Some of the abdominal pain experienced from an ovarian cyst is from the cyst itself. As the cyst grows it may cause discomfort or a bloated feeling in the abdominal region. If the cyst ruptures it may create a sharp and burning pain that can be temporarily crippling. The cyst may also create a burning but low level pain if it begins to bleed.

    No Symptoms

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, it is possible to have an ovarian cyst but experience no symptoms at all. On the other hand, cyst symptoms sometimes mimic other conditions that may not always encourage you to go to the doctor. The Mayo Clinic recommends seeing your doctor as soon as possible when you begin to experience what could by the symptoms of an ovarian cyst.

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