Why do ovarian cysts hurt so bad

June 23, 2020 | by CTCA

Table of Contents Show

What does ovarian cyst pain feel like?
Ovarian cysts vs. ovarian cancer
Can ovarian cysts be cancerous?
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
What does an ovarian cyst feel like?
Do the symptoms vary based on the type of cyst?
What to do if you have a cyst
When to see a doctor
How can I make my ovarian cyst stop hurting?
When should I worry about ovarian cyst pain?
How long can ovarian cyst pain last for?
When should you go to the ER for an ovarian cyst?

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Ovarian cysts are quite common, and the symptoms can be similar to those of ovarian cancer.

While pain is a common symptom of a woman’s period, it may seem uncommon if you’re having persistent pelvic pain. It might come every month for a few months, then stop. Or you may feel it randomly throughout the month, with no association with your period at all.

What does ovarian cyst pain feel like?

In this age of self-diagnosis, pelvic pain is just a Google search away from a cancer diagnosis. In fact, many young women who experience pain in their lower abdomen may simply have a benign ovarian cyst.

Ovarian cancer is rare during a woman’s childbearing years (most women with ovarian cancer are between ages 55 to 64). But ovarian cysts are quite common, and the symptoms may be similar to those of ovarian cancer:

Pelvic pain
Bloating
Back pain
Nausea or vomiting
Pain during sexual activity
A feeling like gas
Irregular periods or changes in your cycle

If you have pelvic pain, back pain or pain during sex and you’re concerned you may have an ovarian cyst, it’s important to talk to your doctor. There’s no single type of pain associated with ovarian cysts, and women describe the pain as ranging from dull and achy to sharp and severe. That’s why it’s important to work with your gynecologist to pinpoint the source of your pain.

Learn about ovarian cancer survival rates and results.

Ovarian cysts vs. ovarian cancer

It’s important to know about various types of ovarian cysts and understand the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Most women with an ovarian cyst have what’s called a functional cyst, which is associated with their menstrual cycle. These types of cysts develop during or after ovulation, which is when an egg may be released for conception.

Follicular cysts form before the egg is released. They usually take one to three months to go away on their own.
Corpus luteum cysts form after the egg is released. These cysts usually go away on their own in a few weeks.

Other types of ovarian cysts include:

Endometriomas: Women with endometriosis may develop this type of cyst. With endometriosis, tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Cysts may develop when the tissue attaches to the ovary.
Cystadenomas: These cysts may be filled with fluid and may become large, causing pain.
Dermoid cysts: These cysts may be filled with seemingly odd materials such as hair, teeth and other tissues. They also may become large and cause pain.
Polycystic ovaries: Many cysts form when follicles do not release their eggs on a cyclical basis.

Can ovarian cysts be cancerous?

Most ovarian cysts are benign, but in rare cases, they may be cancerous. If you have an ovarian cyst, your provider will take you through the diagnostic process to evaluate your type of cyst.

A pelvic exam is the first step toward diagnosing ovarian cysts or ovarian cancer. During the exam, your doctor may be able to feel the cyst manually. Either way, your doctor may order an ultrasound to determine the cysts’ size, shape, location and composition before ordering any additional tests, which may involve getting a biopsy. Depending on the results, your doctor will share the next steps, which are typically either watchful waiting or surgery.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

The symptoms of ovarian cancer, though vague, may be more extensive than those of ovarian cysts. Along with the symptoms shared with ovarian cysts, possible signs of ovarian cancer include:

Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
A feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen or pelvis
Constipation and increased gas
Lack of appetite
Urinating more frequently

You shouldn't ignore any symptoms associated with ovarian cancer. If you've experienced any of the above symptoms, pay particular attention to bloating or a swollen belly, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, as well as pelvic pain or pelvic heaviness. See your gynecologist if these occur every day for more than a few weeks.

Learn more about ovarian cancer diagnosis and detection.

If you’re having abdominal pain or prolonged, intense discomfort that doesn’t seem quite normal, it’s possible you have an ovarian cyst. These small fluid- or tissue-filled pouches on or in your ovaries are actually very common. Here are the signs you might have an ovarian cyst and what you should do if you have one, according to Ob/Gyn Rosanne Kho, MD.

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Your ovary normally produces an ovarian cyst with ovulation. When a pregnancy does not occur after ovulation, the ovarian cyst shrinks and goes away. Some people may experience mild pain that lasts one to two days associated with ovulation.

Beyond ovulation, endometriosis and the abnormal reproduction of cells, a pelvic infection like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can also cause ovarian cysts.

Ovarian cysts are usually small enough that most people with ovaries don’t even realize they have one. In fact, Dr. Kho says that many cysts are diagnosed incidentally during annual pelvic exams or imaging tests that are performed for another reason. Even cysts that become enlarged often go unnoticed.

“However, if a cyst gets big enough, it may create a feeling of pressure or even pain,” Dr. Kho says.

What does an ovarian cyst feel like?

Most ovarian cysts go away on their own, but if you’re feeling bloated for long periods, this could be a sign you have an ovarian cyst that’s growing. You may also feel a dull aching pain on one side of your lower abdomen, your lower back or your pelvis. Other signs you may have an ovarian cyst include:

Pain with sexual intercourse.
Changes in bowel movements or urinary habits.
Unanticipated weight loss or gain.
Feeling full too quickly when you eat.
Painful periods.
Increased urination.

“These symptoms can be easy to ignore, and one by itself may not be concerning,” says Dr. Kho. “But if you’re noticing many of these together, that’s a good reason to see your doctor for an evaluation.”

A cyst that bleeds, bursts or causes your ovary to twist on itself (a condition called ovarian torsion) can cause a sudden rise in the severity of pain. Other signs you may have a burst ovarian cyst include:

Nausea or vomiting.
Fever.
Unexpected vaginal bleeding.
Dizziness.
Weakness.

Do the symptoms vary based on the type of cyst?

In most cases, symptoms remain largely the same. But the kind of cysts that can develop in your ovaries are wide-ranging and include the following:

Functional cysts. This is the most common kind of cyst, occurring as part of the normal menstrual cycle due to ovulation, says Dr. Kho. Occasionally, a functional cyst may fill up with blood, making it swell and cause pain, but they’re normally painless and generally go away on their own over the course of a few weeks.

Dermoid cysts or teratomas. You’re often born with this type of cyst. “It can be full of all kinds of things that the body grows, like hair, teeth and even thyroid and brain tissue,” Dr. Kho says. Very rarely, teratomas may become cancerous.

Cystadenomas. A cystadenoma can get quite large, measuring up to a foot or more in diameter. “It’s like a mole in that it’s usually a normal, benign growth,” explains Dr. Kho. “And like a mole, sometimes we need to remove these to make sure they’re not cancerous.”

Endometriomas. “These cysts develop from endometriosis (a condition in which cells similar to the cells from your uterine lining grow outside of your uterus) and they can be very tender and painful,” Dr. Kho says.

Cancerous cysts. Fortunately, ovarian cancer is rare. “There’s a lifetime risk of about 1-1/2%,” says Dr. Kho. If you have a first-degree family member with ovarian cancer, this risk increases to 5%. “People who have certain genetic conditions like breast cancer genes or Lynch syndrome also need to be more concerned if they develop a cyst.”

What to do if you have a cyst

If your doctor finds an ovarian cyst, you’ll most likely have a pelvic ultrasound to see what’s going on, and treatment will depend on your situation. In most cases, it may be best to closely monitor it.

“Depending on the appearance of the cyst, many times, we’ll wait six to eight weeks to see if it goes away on its own,” says Dr. Kho. “A lot of cysts look just like a water balloon. There’s nothing worrisome inside them and they can be present even after menopause. It’s very reasonable just to watch these with an ultrasound every year to make sure they’re not growing.”

Occasionally, a cyst needs to be surgically removed. “There are a few things we look at in a cyst to evaluate whether or not it needs to be removed,” Dr. Kho says. “If it’s causing painful symptoms, we may want to remove it for comfort reasons or out of concern for cancer.”

You may also need surgery if the cyst is very large or if it looks abnormal on the ultrasound. “If, for instance, the cyst has extra solid tissue growing inside it, we’ll usually get tumor marker blood tests. The most common one is cancer antigen 125 (CA125),” says Dr. Kho. “Elevated levels make us more concerned about cancer, especially after menopause.”

When to see a doctor

If you experience intense pelvic pain, especially if it happens quickly, you need to get help immediately. Since a twisted ovary can reduce or stop blood flow, the sooner you get medical attention, the better chance there is for your ovary to be saved.

For general pelvic pain, “There can be a lot of causes, and sometimes they can be difficult to differentiate. In these cases, it’s best to go see your healthcare provider to see if they can determine the cause of your pain because sometimes it may be serious,” advises Dr. Kho.

How can I make my ovarian cyst stop hurting?

Pain medications you can find at your local drug store may temporarily help with pain from ovarian cysts. You can buy many without a prescription, including ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol). You may take these medications as soon as you feel discomfort for up to 2 or 3 days.

When should I worry about ovarian cyst pain?

Although they are typically harmless, cysts need to be checked out if they begin causing severe pain or won't go away because there is a slim possibility that they may be a sign of ovarian cancer.

How long can ovarian cyst pain last for?

Your pain should go away in a few days. Let your provider know right away if you your pain gets worse, if you feel dizzy, or have new symptoms. Follow up with your provider if you need imaging or blood tests. If you have a complex ruptured ovarian cyst, you may need to stay in the hospital for 1 or more days.

When should you go to the ER for an ovarian cyst?

If you have any of the following symptoms of a ruptured cyst, head to the ER right away: Pain with vomiting and fever. Severe abdominal pain that comes on suddenly. Weakness, faintness, or dizziness.