Ovarian Cysts Symptoms, Treatment and When to Seek Medical Care

Ovarian Cysts Symptoms    

      Usually ovarian cysts do not produce symptoms and are found during a routine physical exam or are seen by chance on an ultrasound performed for other reasons. However, the following symptoms may be present:

• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain, which may start and stop and may be severe, sudden, and sharp
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Feeling of lower abdominal or pelvic pressure or fullness
• Long-term pelvic pain during menstrual period that may also be felt in the lower back
• Pelvic pain after strenuous exercise or sexual intercourse
• Pain or pressure with urination or bowel movements
• Nausea and vomiting
• Vaginal pain or spotty bleeding from the vagina
• Infertility

When to Seek Medical Care

     A health care practitioner should be contacted if the following symptoms occur:

• Fever
• Abnormal pain or tenderness in the abdominal or pelvic area
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weakness, dizziness, or fainting
• Pallor or anemia (possibly from loss of blood)
• Abnormally heavy or irregular menstruation
• Abdominal swelling or unusual increased abdominal girth
• Abdominal pain if blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) are taken
• Increased facial hair similar to a male pattern
• High or low blood pressure unrelated to medications
• Excessive thirst or urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• A noticeable abdominal or pelvic mass

     A woman with the following symptoms should go immediately to a hospital's emergency department:

• Weakness, dizziness, or feeling faint, especially from standing
• Fainting
• Persistent fever
• Severe lower abdominal or pelvic pain
• High or low blood pressure unrelated to medications
• Excessive thirst or urination
• Unexplained shoulder pain combined with abdominal pain
• Persistent nausea and vomiting