Ovarian cysts symptoms, treatment of ruptured ovarian cyst

Are you looking for information on Ovarian Cysts, Ovarian cysts symptoms, and treatment of ruptured ovarian cysts? Read this article to learn about ovarian cyst symptoms, ovarian cyst causes, Ovarian cyst burst, Ruptured ovarian cysts, and much more. This article also discusses ovarian cyst size and dermoid ovarian cyst. You are advised to consult your doctor and not get into self-medication.

Table of Content

What is an ovary?

The ovary is a female gland. There are two ovaries in every woman. There is one ovary on each side of the uterus. The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system. The other organs in the female reproductive system are the uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, and vagina. The uterus has a muscular outer layer. This layer is called the myometrium. The inner lining of the uterus is called the endometrium. The uterus is a hollow pear-shaped organ where a fetus grows.

Eggs form in the ovaries. Ovaries also make female hormones namely estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play an important role in the development of female traits, such as breast development, body shape, and body hair. These hormones are also involved in the menstrual cycle, fertility, and pregnancy.

In the normal female, the ovary of the right side yields ova which on fertilization develop as males. The ovary of the left side yields ova which are potentially female.

Frequently asked questions about ovary

Question 1 – What is the ovary and its function?

Answer – Ovaries are oval-shaped glands. Each woman has two ovaries. One ovary is located on the left side of the uterus and the other on the right side. It is located in the lower abdomen. Ovaries produce eggs which are important for fertility. They also produce female hormones. These hormones are vital for the development of the female body.

Question 2 – Why is the ovary important?

Answer – Ovaries are very important for females. They are a must for the female reproduction system. The hormones they produce are essential for the development of the female body.

Question 3 – Can ovaries be removed without any health risk?

Answer – Removal of ovaries is likely to increase the risk of osteoporosis and even heart disease. It may also result in early menopause. Your body will be deprived of hormones that are produced by ovaries.

Question 4 – Can a woman get pregnant even if she does not have ovaries?

Answer – It is possible to conceive, but the chances are low. The egg count is lowered. Your lack of ovaries won’t influence the fertilization process, and neither the embryo transfer. However, you must take the advice of your doctor on this issue.

Question 5 – Can a woman with an ovarian cyst get pregnant?

Answer – Ovarian cysts normally don’t cause problems with female fertility. But take your doctor’s advice if you have an ovarian cyst and intend to get pregnant.

Ovarian Cysts meaning

Let us first learn about “what are ovarian cysts?” and then we will discuss issues like ovarian cysts symptoms and ruptured ovarian cysts.

• Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs or pockets in an ovary. The cysts may also form on the surface of the ovary. Remember that you have two ovaries. One ovary is on the left side of your uterus and the other is on the right side of your uterus.
• A simple ovarian cyst is very common. They come and go without causing any symptoms. During the normal menstrual cycle, the ovaries produce a cyst. This ruptures and releases an egg which allows a woman to become pregnant.
• Many women have ovarian cysts at some time in their life. Most of the time these ovarian cysts are harmless and give no discomfort. They disappear without any treatment, in a few months.
• However, if these ovarian cysts rupture then it may cause serious symptoms.
• These ovarian cysts symptoms appear as Pelvic Pain, Fullness & Heaviness in the abdomen, and Bloating. You may also develop rapid breathing, lightheadedness, and weakness. You should be aware of these signs.
• Immediately contact your doctor if you develop abdominal or pelvic pain with fever and vomiting.

Ovarian cysts symptoms

Most ovarian cysts do not show any symptoms. They go away on their own. However, if the cyst is large in size it may show up as following symptoms. You must be aware of these ovarian cysts symptoms so that you can take medical advice in time:-

• There will be pelvic pain. It is a dull and sharp pain in the lower abdomen, on the side of the cyst.
• You will feel fullness and heaviness in your abdomen
• Abdominal bloating or swelling
• Painful intercourse
• Pain in lower back and thighs
• You may also develop fever, pain, and vomiting
• Cold and clammy skin
• Breast tenderness
• Rapid breathing
• Light-headedness or weakness
• Drastic or unusual weight gain can happen due to ovarian cysts. The weight gain happens when an ovarian cyst is due to hormonal imbalance.

The bottom line is that you must see your doctor if there is sudden sharp pelvic or abdominal pain.

Ovarian cyst causes

You have learned about ovarian cysts’ symptoms. But what causes ovarian cysts? The main causes of ovarian cysts may include hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, endometriosis, and pelvic infections. Cysts are common and can occur anywhere on the body. They are often a result of infection, clogged sebaceous glands, or piercings.

Ovarian cysts are sacs of fluid that form on either the ovary or its surface. They often develop naturally if you have monthly periods.

Most ovarian cysts are benign and naturally go away on their own without treatment.

Many women have ovarian cysts at some stage of their life. Simple ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs. They are common in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Most ovarian cysts are harmless and benign. Ovarian cyst causes little or no pain.

Types of Ovarian Cysts

Some of the ovarian cysts are as given below:-

Functional Cysts

These are also known as ovulatory cysts. It is the most common type of ovarian cyst. It causes no symptoms. It can form as Follicular Cyst when it develops in follicles. It is known as Corpus Luteum Cyst when it develops after the follicle releases its egg.

Follicular Cysts

These are benign ovarian cysts. When you ovulate, the cyst or follicle that holds the egg ruptures to release the egg. In a normal menstrual cycle, follicle cysts form when the follicle doesn’t break open to release the egg. The follicle continues to grow and becomes a cyst. Follicle cysts often have no symptoms and go away in one to three months. In some cases, ruptured ovarian cysts may develop complications and may need surgery.

Corpus Luteum Cysts

During ovulation, the follicle breaks open and releases the egg. After that, the empty follicle sac shrinks into a mass of cells. Sometimes there are abnormal changes in the follicle of the ovary after an egg has been released. This can cause the egg’s escape opening to seal off. Then fluid accumulates inside the follicle, and a corpus luteum cyst develops.

Dermoid Cyst

A dermoid cyst is a collection of tissue under the skin. Dermoid cysts are caused when skin and skin structures become trapped during fetal development. Dermoid cysts may contain multiple skin structures such as hair follicles, sweat glands, and sometimes hair, teeth, or nerves.

When internal bleeding occurs into functional cysts of the ovary, it is called a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst.

Frequently asked questions about Ovarian Cysts

Question 1 – What causes ovarian cysts?

Answer – Ovarian cyst may occur due to hormone imbalance. Other causes are pelvic infection, pregnancy and endometriosis.

Question 2 – Can ovarian cyst turn into cancer?

Answer – Most ovarian cysts are harmless and clear up on their own without treatment. However, some types of an ovarian cysts may develop into cancer. So your doctor may recommend removal of even benign cyst.

Question 3 – What are the symptoms of cancerous ovarian cyst?

Answer – Some ovarian cysts and tumors may be cancerous. Symptoms are Pelvic Pain, Nausea & Vomiting, Dull ache in the lower back & thighs, Abnormal bleeding, Pain during sex. Pressure, Swelling & pain in the abdomen are also important symptoms to look for.

Question 4 – What are the chances of a cyst causing ovarian cancer?

Answer – It is uncommon. The majority of ovarian cysts are benign. But some ovarian cysts are malignant and cancerous. So your doctor will diagnose and tell you the type of cyst you have. Accordingly, the doctor will decide on a treatment plan.

Question 5 – Do ovarian cysts go away on their own?

Answer – These cysts are usually harmless and go away on their own. There are fewer chances of developing this cyst after menopause. But women who have reached menopause and still develop ovarian cysts are at higher risk of developing cancer.

Ruptured Ovarian Cysts

A ruptured ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled, typically benign (non-cancerous) mass on an ovary that has broken open. In many cases, cysts go away on their own after a few menstrual cycles. But in some other cases, where the cyst is complex, they may cause damage and need serious treatment.

Normal, physiologic cysts can grow, rupture, and bleed every month. It is part of your normal menstrual cycle. It can also be pregnancy-related.

But sometimes there are ovarian cysts that are not normal. These are called pathological cysts like Dermoid Cysts, Cystadenomas, and Endometriomas Cyst.

Women with pelvic inflammatory disease are more likely to develop infected ovarian cysts. These cysts are filled with bacteria that can lead to sepsis if they rupture.

When these pathological cysts rupture it becomes urgent to consult your doctor immediately. Cysts can develop due to pelvic infection. It is also called an abscess.

Symptoms of ruptured ovarian cysts

What are the signs of ovarian cyst rupture? How can you tell that you have a ruptured ovarian cyst? An ultrasound test helps the doctor to evaluate the quality of the cyst and whether it has ruptured or not. Following are some of the symptoms:-

• Sudden and sharp pain in lower belly or back
• Dull or sharp pain on one side of your lower abdomen
• Vaginal spotting or bleeding
• Abdominal bloating
• Fever may follow the pain
• Severe nausea and vomiting. It is also a sign of ovarian torsion. Nausea and vomiting happen due to content that leaks into your abdomen.
• Brown vaginal discharge due to uterine bleeding
• Steady and dull pelvic pain
• Faintness and dizziness. It may also indicate a lot of bleeding in your belly
• Breathing at a rapid rate. This is your body’s response to what is going on
• Chilly and clammy skin. There may be a feeling of chill throughout the body

Consult your doctor immediately if you feel any of the symptoms mentioned above. It may be due to a ruptured ovarian cyst.

Why do cysts rupture in the ovary?

The exact reasons are not known. But the size of the cyst may be a factor that causes a ruptured ovarian cyst. You can consider the example of an overfilled water balloon. If the cyst is of bigger size there are higher chances of bursting. The small but fast-growing cyst can also burst.

Sex and intense exercise can also cause a cyst to burst. Rupturing of ovarian cyst can cause internal bleeding. Internal bleeding may cause local inflammation and pain.

If the cyst grows too large, the ovary can twist. This results in a dangerous condition known as ovarian torsion. Blood flow to the ovary is reduced or cut off when the weight of a cyst causes the ovary to turn over on itself one or more times. If ovarian torsion happens then surgery becomes necessary to restore blood flow.

Please note that there is no specific sign that a cyst is about to burst.

Ovarian cyst size

As we know ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can form in the ovaries. There are different types of ovarian cyst. Each has its own causes and characteristics. So the size of the cyst depends on the type of cyst.

Cysts up to the size of 2 – 2.4 inches do not need surgery. However, your doctor will decide about it depending upon various tests. A simple cyst may be left alone till it becomes about 4 inches in size. But a cancerous cyst will require removal even if it is much smaller in size.

Functional cysts like Follicular Cyst and Corpus Luteum Cyst are about 3/4^th of an inch to 2 inches in size. However, some can grow up to 5 inches in size.

Dermoid cysts are a type of ovarian tumor. They contain different types of tissue like skin, hair, and fat. This type of cyst causes complications if they grow large in size. It grows slowly but progressively at the rate of about 0.07 inches per year. Dermoid cysts can grow up to 6 inches in diameter.

Cystadenomas cysts are benign tumors. They grow on the surface of ovaries. This type of cyst can grow up to a foot in size.

Endometriomas cyst is a condition where the cells of the uterine lining grow outside of the uterus. This tissue attaches to the surface of the ovary and forms a cyst. These are also called chocolate cysts as they contain thick dark blood of brownish color. This type of cyst is usually small in size.

Ovarian cyst treatment

Most of the ovarian cysts go away on their own. So all types of cysts do not necessarily require treatment. So following may be the course of ovarian cyst treatment:-

• Watchful waiting – Your doctor may advise a period of monitoring. The doctor will reexamine to see if the cyst has disappeared on its own, within a few months.
• Ultrasound test – Your doctor may recommend a pelvic ultrasound. If you have no symptom and ultrasound shows only a small size fluid-filled cyst no immediate action may be required.
• The doctor may prescribe over-the-counter pain management medicine.
• Medication – If you have a functional cyst your doctor may prescribe a hormonal contraceptive. These are available in many forms like Oral Contraceptive, Patch, Ring, Intrauterine Devices, Implants, etc. However, these must be taken only after your doctor’s advice. But these may have side effects on your body. Do not take risk of self-medication.

Surgery may be done under the following situations

• Surgery may be done to remove a cyst if the cyst is large and continues to grow.
• The doctor may advise surgery if the cyst does not look like a functional cyst and is growing in size.
• If it does not go away naturally even after few menstrual cycles
• If the cyst is causing severe pain
• Surgery may be done if the cyst appears malignant or cancerous in an ultrasound test
• Surgical removal procedure may use a minimally invasive method like laparoscopy
• If the cyst is cancerous or very large in size then open surgery may be required
• Some cysts can be removed without removing the ovary. But in some cases, your doctor may suggest removing the affected ovary and leaving the other intact.
• If the cyst has developed after menopause, your doctor may recommend surgery
• If the cyst is cancerous and in an advanced stage the oncology surgeon may recommend removal of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. It is called a total hysterectomy. The doctor may also recommend chemotherapy or radiation.

Dermoid ovarian cyst

Dermoid cysts are also called teratomas. It is a sack-like growth that is present at birth. It contains hair, fluid, or skin glands. Dermoid cysts grow slowly. Such cysts may develop in the ovary, brain, nasal sinuses, and spinal cord.

The ovarian dermoid cyst may develop in women during their reproductive years. It can cause torsion in the ovary, infection, rupture, and even cancer. A woman may have a dermoid cyst on an ovary for many years until it’s discovered during a pelvic exam.

In the case of ovarian torsion blood flow to the ovary is reduced or cut off. The weight of a cyst causes the ovary to turn over on itself one or more times. If ovarian torsion happens then surgery becomes necessary to restore blood flow.

Dermoid cyst needs to be removed either by conventional surgery or by laparoscopy surgery.

Dermoid ovarian cyst causes

Dermoid cysts grow when skin and skin structures get trapped during the development of the fetus. These cysts contain hair follicles, hair, teeth, nerves, and sweat glands.

Dermoid ovarian cyst symptoms

• Generally, dermoid cysts do not show any symptom
• Symptoms may develop after the cyst becomes infected
• Symptoms also develop when the cyst grows large in size
• Cysts near the surface of the skin can swell and may cause discomfort
• The skin may become slightly yellowish
• If the cyst has grown large it may cause pain in the pelvic area. This pain will increase during the menstrual cycle

Diagnosis of ovarian dermoid cyst

It is normally done with a physical examination. A pelvic examination may reveal the presence of an ovarian dermoid cyst. The doctor may also advise a CT scan if the cyst is near a sensitive area. These imaging tests help your doctor see exactly where the cyst is located. The CT scan also shows whether there is damage to a sensitive area. Following imaging tests may be done:-

• Dermoid ovarian cyst CT scan – It uses a special X-Ray machine. The CT scan creates a three-dimensional view of the tissue inside your body. It is a painless procedure.
• Pelvic ultrasound – This another type of imaging test where there is no risk of radiation. A pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to create images. It can identify the type of cyst in your pelvic area. It is a painless procedure. A device is rubbed across the lower abdomen. This device creates images that can be seen on a screen.
• Transvaginal ultrasound – Your doctor may advise this test also. The doctor inserts a wand into the vagina. This procedure also uses ultrasound to create an image on the screen.
• MRI scan – It uses powerful magnetic waves and creates detailed images of organs inside the pelvic area.

Treatment of an ovarian dermoid cyst

Usually, the only treatment of dermoid cyst is its removal through surgery. Following factors are considered before surgery:-

• Your medical history
• Symptoms due to the cyst
• How severe is the cyst?
• Is there a risk of infection?
• Can the patient tolerate the surgery and medication given after surgery?
• If the ovarian cyst is too large or there’s been damage to the ovary, then the surgeon may decide to remove both the ovary and the cyst.

Ovarian cyst burst

An ovarian cyst is a sac filled with liquid or semi-liquid material. A ruptured ovarian cyst is a common phenomenon. The presence of ovarian cyst causes anxiety in women, which is natural. However, a large number of such lesions are benign.

Ovarian cyst accidents include cyst rupture, hemorrhage, and torsion. Ovarian torsion may occur to the whole adnexa. It is not necessarily associated with an ovarian cyst. The adnexa is made up of fallopian tubes and ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled structures that can develop in the adnexa.

Suspected adnexal torsion is usually managed with early laparoscopy and de-torsion of the twisted tube or ovary. Ovarian cyst rupture and hemorrhage usually occur in association with physiological (functional) cysts and are generally self-limiting.

Signs and symptoms of ovarian cyst burst

Some cyst bursts may be associated with a range of ovarian cysts symptoms. The symptoms of ovarian cyst burst may include the following:-

• Severe pain due to ovarian cyst burst
• Severe pain due to ovarian torsion
• Cyst rupture may be followed by sudden, sharp, unilateral pelvic pain
• Cyst rupture can lead to peritoneal signs, abdominal distention, and bleeding. The bleeding is usually self-limited
• Constipation and changes in bowel movement
• Pelvic pressure may cause tenesmus or increased urinary frequency
• Precocious puberty and early menarche may happen in young children
• Tachycardia and hypotension may result from hemorrhage caused by cyst rupture
• Ovarian torsion may cause hyperpyrexia

Treatment of ovarian cyst burst

• If you have a complex burst ovarian cyst you may need treatment in a hospital. Consult your doctor immediately. He may advise monitoring of heart rate and other vital signs
• Treatment may include monitoring of your red blood cell level (hematocrit) to check the blood’s ability to carry oxygen
• More than one ultrasound may be done to check bleeding inside the belly
• A ruptured cyst that is not complex can be treated with pain medicine. You may be told to watch your symptoms over time.
• In some cases, you may need to have follow-up ultrasound tests. You may not need any other treatment.
• Your treatment may include IV Fluids to replace lost fluid
• In some cases, surgery may be required. The surgeon will most likely use a minimally invasive procedure like laparoscopy.
• In rare cases, a ruptured ovarian cyst is due to cancer. In case of a cancerous cyst, you may need surgery and other treatments. An oncology surgeon will advise you about the line of treatment
• Your doctor will decide the best treatment for you

Conclusion about ovarian cyst

Most women have ovarian cysts sometime in their life. So you must be aware of ovarian cysts symptoms to avoid any medical complication. Functional ovarian cysts are a routine part of the menstrual cycle. They are common. They go away naturally in a few weeks. Cysts do not cause Ovarian Cancer, normally.

However, some cysts like Dermoid Cysts, Cystadenomas, and Endometriomas, are much less common. These cysts can continue to grow and become large in size. Surgery may be recommended for large cysts and cancerous cysts. So be vigilant about ovarian cyst symptoms. Consult a doctor in case you detect these symptoms in you.

References

Causes

Management of burst cysts

Risks

Hormonal Contraceptive