Summary: Ovarian cysts are quite common in women until their menopausal age. Though ovarian cysts are largely harmless, a few of them can lead to complications in your health. Hence, we should know all about ovarian cysts to remain aware. So, if you want to know more about ovarian cyst symptoms and more, keep reading.
Introduction
Do you fear having ovarian cysts? Before reaching a conclusion, you should check yourself for ovarian cyst symptoms. In this blog, we have discussed ovarian cysts, their symptoms, and everything else you need to know, so keep reading.
Most of the time, you won't feel any ovarian cyst symptoms because these cysts don't cause much discomfort. However, in a situation where the cysts become twisted or get ruptured, then you might get severe symptoms. The most advisable thing you can do is get a routine examination from your doctor.
Usually, ovarian cysts are a sign of the ovulation cycle in females, but in some cases, the cysts could indicate an underlying situation, too. So, let's read more about their ovarian cyst symptoms and be better informed.
What are the Causes of Ovarian Cysts?
There could be several causes related to why we get ovarian cysts. The cysts occur during ovulation, which is the period when our ovary releases an egg each month. Here are some of the causes for ovarian cysts:
- Most functional cysts go away on their own. However, you could get ovarian cysts because of hormonal imbalances or the drugs you took to help you with your ovulation process.
- Some women might be dealing with endometriosis, in which case they could develop an ovarian cyst. Such ovarian cysts happen when the endometriosis tissue attaches to the ovary and causes some growth. You might experience pain during sex or periods due to this cyst.
- During early pregnancy, you can develop cysts that protect the fetus until your placenta grows. The ovarian cysts might not go away even during a later stage in the pregnancy and require doctors to remove them.
- Sometimes, you could get pelvic infections, which spread to your ovaries and fallopian tubes and result in ovarian cysts.
What are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts?
The cysts that develop in our ovary are fluid-filled sacs that are mostly harmless and go away independently. However, knowing the signs and symptoms is good because it helps in early detection and helps in treating complications. Here are some of the ovarian cyst symptoms:
1. Pelvic Pain
You might experience pain in your lower abdomen as this is the ovarian cyst pain location. The pain is dull and sharp, and you can feel it coming and going away. You could also experience mild to severe abdominal pain.
2. Painful Periods
You might experience more painful periods than usual. Painful period conditions are often termed dysmenorrhea. You might also experience menstrual irregularities, affecting the flow or length of your periods. Your period cramps might start to become more severe than ever.
3. Bloating
You could start feeling bloated or full in your stomach due to ovarian cysts in your body. You might also start feeling a sensation similar to the one before your periods. If your cysts press against your bladder, you could also feel the need to urinate continuously.
4. Painful Intercourse
You could experience difficulty and pain during sex if your cysts are in the pelvic region. You could also feel tenderness around your breasts or changes in the size of your breasts. These ovarian cyst symptoms are a result of hormonal fluctuations in your body.
5. Weight Gain
You might notice your weight increasing, which is a result of ovarian cysts in your body. The weight gain you experience is temporary and goes away once your cysts are gone.
6. Nausea
If you have large cysts, you could also experience nausea or vomiting. This is especially common when you have larger cysts. Sometimes, these ovarian cysts can also end up interfering with your fertility if they turn more complex. This is why you must reach out for medical aid if you have ovarian cyst symptoms.
There are also certain emergency ovarian cyst symptoms, which include a sharp and sudden ovarian cyst pain in the abdominal region of your stomach. This could also be a sign of your cyst rupturing or getting twisted in your stomach. In such cases, you must seek medical aid at the earliest. You could also experience fever or weakness as an emergency symptom of the cysts.
If you're wondering what size of ovarian cyst is dangerous, then you must know that usually, a cyst that is larger than 5 cm is considered big and also harmful to you. In such a condition, your doctor would mostly recommend you for surgery.
Do Ovarian Cysts Affect Pregnancy?
Most ovarian cysts don't affect your chances of getting pregnant. However, if there is an underlying condition behind the cysts, then that illness could affect your ability to get pregnant. There are two conditions under which your cysts may cause infertility, such as
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Ovarian cysts are usually common when you're pregnant, too, and these cysts are benign. But cysts that continue to grow or twist and get ruptured can cause serious illnesses to the pregnant person. In such cases of ovarian cyst symptoms, you must seek the help of your doctor to diagnose your ovarian cysts.
How Can You Treat Ovarian Cysts?
The treatments for ovarian cysts depend upon various factors like your age, your symptoms, the type of cysts, and so on. Here are some of the treatments your doctor might suggest for you:
- Your doctor would suggest watchful waiting for you if you have functional ovarian cysts because these cysts usually go away on their own. The doctor might ask you to get an ultrasound after a few weeks to check if your cyst has left.
- The doctor could prescribe some hormonal medication to dissolve ovarian cysts. The medications usually consist of birth control pills, which will help prevent ovulation and future cysts from forming.
- If your ovarian cyst symptoms keep growing, then your doctor could suggest that you get them removed through surgery. The type of surgery you should do will depend on the size of your cyst.
Note - Generally, there aren't any severe ovary cyst removal side effects except a few, such as
- Slight discomfort in your tummy after surgery.
- Small amounts of vaginal bleeding.
- Feeling tired.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing any of the ovarian cyst symptoms we have discussed above, then you should get a screening done for yourself. Early detection of any unusual signs can help your doctor prevent any further complications for you. So, don't wait any longer and get yourself examined today. If topics on women empowerment, female care, and so on catch your attention, head to The Voice of Woman blogs today!
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