Ovarian cysts are sacs of fluid that develop within or on your ovaries. They are fairly common, occurring most often in women of childbearing age.
Usually, ovarian cysts cause no harm. They rarely become cancerous, and in most cases, they don’t cause symptoms. In fact, most women with ovarian cysts don’t know they have them.
You may not realize you have one unless we identify it during a pelvic exam or when you’re having testing for another condition.
Look for signs of ovarian cysts
But ovarian cysts do sometimes cause signs and symptoms that you or your provider become aware of. Here, Susan Crockett, MD, and her colleagues at Virtuosa GYN in San Antonio, Texas, would like to share four telltale signs of ovarian cysts.
Sign 1: Abdominal pain
Ovarian cysts may cause pain in your abdomen or pelvic region. The type of pain varies. It may be sharp or dull, it may come on suddenly and then stop, or it may occur only while you’re doing certain activities. Usually it’s on one side of your abdomen, but even this may vary by person.
Ovarian cyst pain may be severe or mild. Severe pain may occur if the cyst leads to twisting of your ovary.
Sign 2: Nausea
Even if you don’t experience pain or other symptoms, ovarian cysts may sometimes cause nausea.
Sign 3: Bloating or swelling
Bloating and swelling in your abdominal area or pelvic region can be another sign of ovarian cysts. Bloating and swelling may occur on their own or along with other symptoms.
Sign 4: Other types of pain
The pain that ovarian cysts cause can mask itself as other types of pain. Likewise, ovary pain can radiate elsewhere in the pelvic region. As a result, ovarian cysts may cause pain in your back or thighs. They can also contribute to pain during intercourse or during your period.
What these signs have in common
You may have noticed that the signs mentioned here — pain, nausea, bloating, and swelling — can also be signs of many other medical conditions in addition to ovarian cysts.
To make matters even more complicated, ovarian cysts may also cause other symptoms, ranging from frequent urination and abnormal vaginal bleeding to breast tenderness and trouble emptying your bladder or bowels.
Because of this wide range of potential symptoms — and keeping in mind that for most women, ovarian cysts cause no symptoms at all — the best approach whenever you have any type of symptom is to tell Dr. Crockett or another member of our team.
And even if you have no symptoms at all, see us regularly for well-woman visits and any other care your provider recommends so we can be on the lookout for invisible conditions that cause few or no symptoms.
Treating ovarian cysts
Treatment options for an ovarian cyst depend on several factors, including its size and the symptoms you are experiencing. You may need no treatment at all. But Dr. Crockett typically monitors the cyst to watch for signs that it may rupture.
Over-the-counter pain medication can help with discomfort, and hormonal medication may prevent the development of other cysts.
If your cyst requires removal, Dr. Crockett talks with you about surgical options. Surgery usually isn’t necessary. Only about 5-10% of women have ovarian cyst removal surgery.
A full range of GYN care
If you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned here or any other symptoms, or if it’s time for a well-woman visit, we look forward to caring for you. To schedule an appointment, contact us today at our San Antonio, Texas, office.
