Is That an Ovarian Cyst Causing Pain?

Pelvic pain can affect all sexes and stem from various causes. But it often indicates an issue with at least one of the reproductive organs in a woman’s pelvic area (uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and vagina).

At Progressive Women's Health OB/GYN in Friendswood and Mission, Texas, Dr. Asia Mohsin and her staff diagnose and treat ovarian cysts affecting patients prone to their development. Is the pain you’re feeling coming from an ovarian cyst? Here’s how we can tell.

What are ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled or semi-solid pockets in or on one of your ovaries. They’re common, particularly when you're pregnant or haven’t gone through menopause.

Most of the time, ovarian cysts don't produce symptoms, and you can leave them alone. You might develop them each month as part of your menstrual cycle without realizing it. 

Anyone with ovaries can develop an ovarian cyst. Most ovarian cysts are small and go away on their own without treatment. A cyst can become a problem, though, when it doesn’t go away, gets bigger, causes bleeding, or starts to hurt. There’s also a rare chance it’s cancerous.

Since most ovarian cysts are asymptomatic, you likely won’t feel a thing. However, if you develop symptoms, they may include:

• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Dull ache in your back
• Bloating or feeling full
• Nausea
• Swelling in your belly area 
• Pain during sex
• Pain during your period
• A frequent urge to pee or poop

The location of the cyst may be on one side of your lower belly or in your back. The pain may be sharp or dull and can come and go. If it bursts, however, you get a slew of new symptoms.

You probably but not always feel some pain when a cyst ruptures. You may notice discomfort in the next few days, with discharge that looks like vaginal spotting or bleeding. 

Symptoms of a burst ovarian cyst may include sharp, sudden pain in your lower belly or back, bloating that doesn’t go away, and abnormal spotting or bleeding.

Get medical help right away if you have:

• Sudden, serious belly pain
• Pain with fever and throwing up
• Dizziness, weakness, or feeling faint
• Fast breathing

When diagnosing the cause of your pelvic pain, the doctor reviews your symptoms and medical history, performs a physical exam, and may order blood or imaging tests to confirm a diagnosis. Tests include:

• Blood and urine tests
• Pregnancy tests in people of reproductive age
• Vaginal or penile cultures to identify sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia
• Abdominal and pelvic X-rays
• Laparoscopy (allows a direct look at pelvic and abdominal structures)
• Hysteroscopy (a procedure to examine your uterus)
• Stool sample to check for signs of blood in your poop
• Lower endoscopy (a lighted tube to examine the inside of your rectum and colon)
• Ultrasound (sound waves provide images of internal organs)
• CT scan of your abdomen and pelvis

The results of these tests help determine treatment.

Treating a painful ovarian cyst

How you treat an ovarian cyst depends on several factors, including the type and the size of the growth. If it isn't causing physical problems, Dr. Mohsin may take a wait-and-see approach. Commonly, cysts resolve naturally in a couple of menstrual cycles.

If you have pain or other accompanying symptoms, or if the growth is cancerous, you need to have it removed. Dr. Mohsin usually performs this procedure through laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgery. It's rare to need full ovary removal for ovarian cysts.

Are you experiencing pelvic pain and think a cyst may be the cause? Visit Progressive Women’s Health OB/GYN for testing to determine the extent of the problem. Call the office near you to schedule a consultation, or book online today. We also offer telehealth appointments.