Key takeaways

  • You may experience a dull ache or cramping in one or both sides of the lower abdomen, as well as feelings of pressure or fullness. Pain may radiate from the lower abdomen to the back.
  • Ovarian cysts can also lead to painful vaginal penetration and worsened menstrual cramps.
  • Sharp, sudden pain on either side of the abdomen could be a sign of rupture. Seek medical care if you experience severe pain, fever, and nausea.

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on or in an ovary. They usually form during ovulation and resolve without medical intervention.

In some cases, ovarian cysts may be a sign of endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). These conditions can affect your fertility and require treatment from a doctor.

Ovarian cysts are usually asymptomatic. They typically do not cause symptoms unless they’re larger than usual, split (rupture), or cause your ovary to twist.

You may feel pain on either side of your lower abdomen or in your pelvis. This pain can radiate from your abdominal area to your lower back, so you may also feel as though you have back pain.

Other symptoms include:

  • pain during penetrative sex
  • difficulty emptying your bowels
  • frequent urge to urinate
  • abdominal swelling or bloating
  • feeling full after small meals
  • changes in menstrual bleeding

Ovarian cysts unrelated to the menstrual cycle may be accompanied by:

  • chronic pelvic pain
  • persistent fatigue
  • increased facial or body hair
  • unexpected weight gain
  • difficulty becoming pregnant

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following, especially if you’re postmenopausal:

Some of these can be signs of a ruptured cyst, a twisted ovary, or another health condition that requires prompt medical treatment.

Twisted ovaries can cut off blood flow and result in the loss of the ovary.

Your healthcare professional will start with a pelvic exam to check for ovarian swelling. They may also perform a pelvic ultrasound to determine the shape, size, and location of the mass.

Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare professional may order blood tests to check for pregnancy, measure your hormone levels, or measure the amount of cancer-antigen 125 (CA-125).

High CA-125 levels after menopause could be a sign of ovarian cancer. If your healthcare professional suspects that the mass could be cancerous, they’ll take a biopsy of the tissue to determine the next steps.

If your symptoms are mild, your healthcare professional may recommend a “wait and see” approach. The cyst may go away on its own, and over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers may be able to manage any discomfort.

Your healthcare professional may recommend surgery to remove the cyst if it:

  • causes severe pain
  • looks unusual on an ultrasound
  • lasts longer than 3 months
  • increases in size

In some cases, hormonal birth control may be used to suppress ovulation, which can help reduce your risk of developing ovarian cysts. Talk with a healthcare professional about your options.

Ovarian cysts are common during your reproductive years. Although they’re typically asymptomatic, cysts that are larger than typical or rupture can cause discomfort.

It’s important to seek medical attention if you experience sharp, sudden pain in either side of your abdomen. This could be a sign of ovarian torsion, which is a medical emergency, or rupture.

Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the risk of long-term complications.