You may also experience unexplained weight gain. [2] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women’s Health U. S. government agency providing resources for women’s health Go to source You may also feel pain at the lower right or the lower left side of the abdomen. Rarely, there may be pain at both right and left sides. The pain may be inconsistent and come and go. The pain may be sharp or dull.
If a cyst ruptures, the pain can be sudden and severe, which may cause nausea and vomiting.
You may also experience pain during your menstrual cycle, or experience abnormal vaginal bleeding not during your normal period. [4] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
A history of previous cysts Irregular menstrual cycles Beginning menstruation younger than 12 Infertility or a history of infertility treatments Low thyroid function Treatment with tamoxifen for breast cancer Smoking and use of tobacco products Chronic inflammatory conditions
If you are postmenopausal and have an ovarian cyst, you should know that this puts you at higher risk for ovarian cancer. You should be evaluated using an ultrasound and have a blood test for CA125 and/or OVA1. These are markers for a number of different conditions, including ovarian cancer. OVA-1 is more specific for ovarian cancer. If there is any suspicion that the cyst may be cancerous, the cysts should be removed. [6] X Research source
Depending on your other symptoms, your doctor may want to order more tests to measure hormone levels and to rule out other conditions may be ordered as well.
Your doctor may also want to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs with the embryo implants itself somewhere other than the uterus.
The imaging tests will help your doctor determine the size, shape, and exact location of the cyst. It also helps your doctor learn if the cyst is filled with fluid, solid, or mixed.
Small complex cysts can be removed from a laparoscopy. In a laparoscopy, the doctor will make a small cut on your belly and remove the cyst through cuts in your skin. [12] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source For more severe, large, or potentially cancerous cysts, you may undergo a laparotomy. A larger cut is made in the belly, and the entire cyst or the ovary may be removed.
Ovarian cysts are quite common in women during the reproductive years and most have no symptoms. These are called functional cysts. Most of the time, functional ovarian cysts resolve without treatment. Ovarian cysts are less common after menopause and do put any postmenopausal woman with cysts at a higher risk for ovarian cancer.
Corpus luteum cysts usually disappear in a few weeks, but can get large, get twisted, bleed, and cause pain. Corpus luteum cysts can be caused by drugs (like clomiphene) used in fertility treatments.
Endometriomas: These cysts are generally related to a condition called endometriosis where uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. Dermoid cysts: These are formed from embryonic cells from the woman, not from a fetus. These are usually painless. Cystadenomas: These cysts can be large and filled with a watery fluid. In Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a large number of cysts are formed. This is a condition very different from having a single ovarian cyst.
