10 Red Flags You Might Have an Ovarian Cyst

Ovarian cysts form in or on a woman’s ovaries as fluid-filled sacs. Most of the time, they are painless and cancer free. However, they also make their presence known from time to time and cause problems for other women. If you’re curious if you have an ovarian cyst, here are 10 red flags that could indicate you have one.

What are ovarian cysts?

Studies show that about 10 out of 100 women suffer from ovarian cysts. About the size of a small berry, ovarian cysts that grow during hormonal changes like puberty or menopause are called functional cysts. They can develop in one or both ovaries.

The most common functional ovarian cysts include the following:

Follicular cysts

These are several small cysts that grow on your ovaries. SOP It occurs when you have too much androgen (male sex hormones), which prevents your eggs from growing and maturing.

What do ovarian cysts look like?

These cysts are between one and three centimeters long. They usually go away on their own. Complications are rare, but sometimes the cyst wall ruptures, causing fluid to leak. This can be painful but rarely needs treatment or surgery as it will eventually dissolve.

Signs you might have an ovarian cyst

1 – Menstrual cycle problems

Ovarian cysts can cause irregular periods or spotting. You have these menstrual cycle problems if the ovarian cyst produces too many sex hormones for the lining of your uterus to start growing.

2 – Pain in the lower abdomen

Your pain may feel dull and constant. Sometimes ovarian cysts rupture or twist, which is especially painful. You may also feel heaviness in your lower abdomen.

3 – Bloated stomach

Sometimes ovarian cysts grow and cause swelling due to fluid retention due to your body’s inflammatory response. You may feel discomfort from pressure around your stomach area.

4 – Sudden pain

If the weight of the cyst pulls on the ovary, it can twist. This can be very painful. You may feel severe cramps in your lower abdomen. Some women have nausea, a faster heart rate, and even vomiting. If you have these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

5 – Pain during intercourse

Ovarian cysts can make it painful to have sex. This is because, during sexual intercourse, the ovaries touch and can begin to leak fluid. This is more common if you have endometriosis. Talk to your OB / GYN about this pain. They can give you some tips on how to avoid painful sex.

6 – Breast tenderness

When an ovarian cyst grows, it releases hormones in your body. Hormones cause fluctuations, which makes breast tissue feel tender and sore. An accidental blow to your chest can send you through the roof with breast pain. If you are experiencing this, be sure to mention it to your OB / GYN. In the meantime, try to find relief with a heating pad or acetaminophen for pain relief.

7 – Urinary tract problems

If your ovarian cyst becomes too large, it presses against your urinary tract system, which can cause problems. You will feel pressure on your bladder, making you feel like you need to urinate a lot. Or you may have trouble urinating. Be sure to mention these symptoms to your OB / GYN. You may be tested to see if you have a cyst. Large cysts can also cause constipation.

8 – Leg and hip pain

Leg and hip pain It is generally not associated with an ovarian cyst, but it is more common than you might think. Ovarian cysts can put pressure on the pelvic nerves, which in turn causes pain in the hip or leg region. The pain is usually only on one side. You may feel the pain travel to your groin or abdomen. If it explodes, it will be unbearable. Be sure to mention your hip or leg pain to your OB / GYN. They are familiar with the symptoms of an ovarian cyst, so they can examine to determine if a cyst is the cause of the pain.

9 – Loss of appetite

When you have an ovarian cyst, you can lose your appetite. This could be due to pressure in the abdomen area, making it feel full and bloated. Additionally, the hormonal fluctuations of an ovarian cyst can also take away your appetite. Many women lose weight. If you are losing weight and not trying, talk to your doctor about your feeling of fullness, pain, or bloating.

10 – Lower back pain

This red flag is often misinterpreted as more than just an ovarian cyst. You may think you’ve been exercising too much at the gym, but if your lower back pain persists, you may have an ovarian cyst. As the cyst fills with fluid, they put pressure on your abdomen, disrupting your menstrual cycle due to hormonal changes, which can cause a dull aching sensation in your lower back.

What if an ovarian cyst is cancer?

This is a type of cancer that grows in your ovaries. This type of Cancer it is the fifth most common cancer in women. It causes more deaths in women than any other type of reproductive cancer. There is no clear cause of ovarian cancer. You are at risk for ovarian cancer for many reasons. You are at higher risk if

• You have fewer children and you give birth later in life.
• Have had breast cancer or have a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer.
• If you take estrogen replacement for more than 5 years.
• You are older Most deaths occur in women 55 and older.

Ovarian cancer symptoms are sometimes hard to see. Often, you think your symptoms are due to something else. So by the time it’s finally diagnosed, the cancer has spread. But, if you have these symptoms even for a few weeks, talk to your doctor.

• Swollen belly, feeling of bloating.
• You feel full all the time. Many people really don’t want to eat.
• Pelvic pain or lower abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Swollen lymph nodes in the groin area.
• Excessive hair growth. The hair is dark and rough.
• You need to urinate suddenly, with little warning.
• You need to urinate all the time.
• Constipation

How do doctors diagnose ovarian cysts?

If you think you may have an ovarian cyst, make an appointment with your OB / GYN. They will do a pelvic exam. Sometimes they can feel the cyst. Some women do not realize they have a cyst until they have a pelvic exam. If your doctor finds a cyst, they will do some tests to find out more about it. The tests usually include

1 – Ultrasound

An ultrasound can determine the size, location, and shape of the cyst. They will also tell your doctor if the cyst is solid or fluid-filled.

2 – MRI

An MRI will help your doctor see more details about the cyst.

3 – Pregnancy test

Your doctor will do a pregnancy test. to see if you are pregnant because this may be the cause of your cyst.

4 – Blood test

Blood tests help reveal hormonal fluctuations or problems. This will also determine if the cyst is bleeding.

5 – Biopsy

If necessary, a small part of the cyst is removed and examined more closely. They look for cancer cells.

How do doctors treat ovarian cysts?

Treatment of the cyst depends on what type it is, your age, and your overall health. Most of the time, no treatment is necessary. Your doctor may tell you to watch your symptoms. The cyst will probably disappear in a few weeks. Doctors do not perform surgery unless you feel excessive pain or pressure or it seems to increase.

Final thoughts on how to treat an ovarian cyst