Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop within or on the surface of the ovaries. They’re fairly common, with around 10% of women developing a cyst at some point during their lives. Ovarian cysts don’t usually cause symptoms and often disappear in a few months naturally without treatment.
However, in some cases, ovarian cysts can cause pain and discomfort, and carry a risk of cancer – so it’s important to know what signs to look out for.
With that said, we’ll hear from Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, on some of the telltale signs of ovarian cysts to look out for.
Dr Donald Grant says, “Ovarian cysts can range in pain and intensity, with some going away on their own while others may require treatment. Through the early identification of this condition, people can avoid long bouts of symptoms and quickly restore their quality of life.”
What are ovarian cysts?
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop within or on the surface of an ovary. According to the NHS, there are two main types of ovarian cysts…
- Functional ovarian cysts – the most common type of cyst, which develop as part of the menstrual cycle and are usually short-lived and harmless.
- Pathological ovarian cysts – cysts that form as a result of abnormal cell growth and are much less common.
According to the NHS, most ovarian cysts are non-cancerous (benign) and occur as a result of the menstrual cycle (because ovaries release an egg which develops within a fluid-filled sac called a follicle), often disappearing without treatment.
However, a small number of ovarian cysts can become cancerous (malignant), so it’s important to know what signs to look out for. Cancerous cysts are more common in post-menopausal women. Other causes of ovarian cysts include underlying health conditions, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
You can read more about the causes and treatment options for ovarian cysts on the NHS website.
5 telltale signs of ovarian cysts revealed by doctors
According to the NHS, ovarian cysts usually only cause symptoms if they rupture, are very large, or twist and block blood supply to the ovaries. Dr. Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, shares some of the main telltale signs to look out for below.
Nausea, tender breasts, frequent urination, and dizziness can also be signs of ovarian cysts.
1. Pelvic pain
Dr. Donald Grant says, “One of the biggest signifiers that a woman may be experiencing ovarian cysts is pelvic pain. This occurs because as the cyst continues to grow and expand, it applies pressure on surrounding tissue, or it may also stretch the ovary, causing pain.
“For some, the pain may be constant, while for others, it may come and go during menstruation or after intercourse. Either way, if any woman is experiencing prolonged pelvic pain, I strongly recommend that they seek urgent medical advice from their GP, who can advise further on potential diagnoses and treatment options.”
2. Bloating
Dr. Donald Grant says, “While it can be difficult to attribute bloating to ovarian cysts, as this symptom can be caused by so many factors – including medication, irritable bowel syndrome, or stress – it’s also a telltale sign [of] ovarian cysts.
“Bloating takes place due to fluid buildup stemming from a large cyst, as it continues to grow within the body, which causes feelings of abdominal fullness. By combining this symptom with other telltale signs, women can identify ovarian cysts quickly to avoid pain that may impact their social lives, work, and daily activities.”
3. Lower back pain
Dr. Donald Grant says, “Another symptom caused by the pressure applied by cysts is lower back pain. This can vary depending on the size of the cyst, but larger ones tend to put further strain on tissues and vital organs, leading to discomfort around the body, including the lower back.
“Over time, people may find that this pain spreads to the thighs, causing further impacts on women’s daily lives. Again, lower back pain can signify a lot of things, so [it’s important to] monitor it closely alongside other potential signs of ovarian cysts.”
4. Pain during or after sex
Dr. Donald Grant says, “Many women identify an issue with their ovaries after experiencing pain during sex. This can feel like a sharp shooting pain and can continue to occur after intercourse has ended. It’s a direct sign of poor ovarian health that should never be ignored.
“Movement during intercourse can put pressure on the cyst, causing sharp pain that can linger. Any person experiencing pain after sex should avoid it until they’ve spoken with their GP and identified the cause.”
5. Changes to the menstrual cycle
Dr. Donald Grant says, “The mere presence of cysts can cause a lot of disruption to women’s menstrual cycles, including causing periods to become irregular, heavier, or missed altogether.
“This stems from hormonal imbalances, caused by cysts that interfere with cycles and disrupt them entirely. Changes to menstrual cycles should be monitored closely and reported to their GP for further advice on potential causes and treatments.”
Do you have any experience with ovarian cysts that you’d like to share? What health topics would you like to read more about? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
