Cysts on Ovaries: Pain, Pain Go Away

An ovarian cyst is a pouch or sac filled with fluid. It grows inside a woman’s ovaries, and it is a common occurrence among women who are in their child-bearing years. This is because most of the time, these cysts are remnants of the menstrual cycle.

Cysts on Ovaries = Painful

More often than not, the presence of these ovarian cysts go unnoticed as they can be asymptomatic – that is to say, they cause no symptoms. A large percentage of women, however, report the following symptoms, among others, of cysts on ovaries: pain or pressure in the abdomen, painful sexual intercourse, delayed menstrual periods, and pain in the pelvic area.

If there is rupture or torsion of the cysts on ovaries, pain results. Sometimes, because of too much physical exertion, the cyst is pressed or turned, causing severe abdominal or pelvic pain and/or heavy bleeding. Still, at other times, such as during sexual intercourse when pressure is applied to the cysts on ovaries, pain can also be experienced. Because the cysts remain on the ovaries and somehow disturb the growth the egg cells, they can also lead to painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhoea). Remember, however, that dysmenorrhoea is not always indicative of ovarian cysts. Other symptoms of ovarian cysts include the following:

• Breast tenderness. The reproductive system has a lot to do with the mammary glands. So when something is wrong with the reproductive system of a woman, like the growth of cysts on ovaries, pain or tenderness of the breasts may be felt.

• Change in the frequency of urination. This is because the uterus, together with the other parts of a woman’s reproductive system, is situated near the bladder. If there are cysts on ovaries, pain during urination, or even bowel movement, may be felt. The woman may also find herself emptying her bladder more often than usual.

• Weight gain, nausea, fatigue, and headaches. These symptoms are less common and any woman feeling these will not immediately make the connection that these conditions may actually be symptoms of ovarian cysts.

Asymptomatic Cysts on Ovaries = Painless

On the other hand, note that sometimes, despite the presence of cysts on ovaries, pain is strangely absent. This happens when the ovarian cysts are asymptomatic. The only way these cysts can be detected will be through physical examination, or an ultrasound. It is, therefore, a very good idea to visit your gynecologist regularly to make sure that nothing threatening is growing inside you without your knowledge.

Any woman surely doesn’t want to learn that she has cysts on ovaries. Pain, experienced both physically and psychologically, is the initial reaction to hearing such news. But when it comes to women’s health, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you experience pain in or near your abdomen, you might want to consult your doctor right away. Remember that if you have cysts on ovaries, pain may or may not be felt. Suffice to say, when talking about these little nodes, “no pain” doesn’t necessarily mean “no problem.”