Most ovarian cysts are noncancerous (benign) and develop from hormone influences during the menstrual cycle (eg follicular or corpus luteum cysts). However, some may grow abnormally, burst or cause complications.
While many cysts resolve on their own without symptoms, others can trigger discomfort or health concerns.
Signs of ovarian cysts
Ovarian cysts are commonly associated with pain in the pelvis or abdomen, or changes to your periods. However, they could also be responsible for other symptoms that you may not immediately think are connected to an ovarian cyst. Especially when these symptoms can commonly occur in other conditions.
So what are the key 5 symptoms of ovarian cysts to look out for?
1. Frequent urination or urgency
Most commonly associated with a UTI, needing to pee more frequently or having urgency can be a sign of an ovarian cyst, especially if there is painful urination as well.
If you experience this it could be due to a large ovarian cyst pressing on your bladder it can reduce its capacity to hold urine, causing you to need to go more often, even if urine output is minimal.
But how can you tell? A UTI is an infection in the tract which can change your urine, for example giving it a cloudy appearance or strong smell. You would not have this with an ovarian cyst.
2. Bowel changes (constipation or diarrhoea)
Bowel changes are quite common for women and can be a sign of several different conditions. Medication side effects, dehydration and stomach bugs can have an effect on bowel movements, alongside IBS, food intolerances or your monthly cycle stage.
In the case of ovarian cysts, large cysts may exert pressure on the bowels or rectum, as a result of their size.
In these cases, cysts can block the bowels significantly, causing unexpected constipation or discomfort during bowel movements. Large ovarian cysts can also cause diarrhoea by physically compressing and irritating the bowels. Or they can release inflammatory/hormonal agents that disrupt bowel movements.
“Making a diagnosis of an ovarian cyst usually involves imaging tests such as an ultrasound scan or MRI.”
3. Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
Most people may not immediately associate painful sex with an ovarian cyst. Pain during sex could have many causes including infection, hormonal changes, endometriosis, and involuntary spasms in the vagina.
But deep pelvic pain during or after sex can occur if an ovarian cyst is irritated by movement or pressure during sexual intercourse.
4. Abdominal bloating or swelling
Abdominal bloating or swelling is more commonly linked to ovarian cysts, given that they can sometimes grow to a large size. However, bloating is often first associated with stomach or bowel-related issues before other organs in the pelvis like the ovaries are considered.
However, persistent bloating or a sensation of fullness, sometimes mistaken for weight gain, can be caused by an ovarian cyst growing in the abdomen.
5. Radiating pain to lower back or thighs
It is not unusual for problems that begin in the pelvis to create symptoms that affect the lower back or thighs. This can happen with fibroids, endometriosis and ovarian cysts as the nerve roots that supply the lower legs and back are located within the pelvis.
The location, mass or pressure of these cysts on the nerves in these areas is often the cause of pain. And while the initial thoughts may be to link the pain to a musculoskeletal problem, it may also signal an ovarian issue.
Interpreting signs of ovarian cysts
As you’d expect having read through these common symptoms, it can be difficult to make a diagnosis. If you experience these symptoms or have them over a prolonged period, it may indicate an ovarian cyst. If you have concerns speak to your doctor to get the necessary tests. Making a diagnosis of an ovarian cyst usually involves imaging tests such as an ultrasound scan or MRI.
If you experience severe symptoms like sudden pelvic pain, fever or vomiting seek immediate medical attention, as they could signal burst or twisted cysts.
This article was originally published on AskAwayHealth.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
