What are the symptoms of an ovarian cyst?

Most ovarian cysts are asymptomatic.  The most common cause of ovarian cysts is ovulation, and most women do not have any symptoms of ovulation except for occasional twinges in the left or right lower pelvic area.  If a cyst becomes enlarged, some patients can have pelvic pain, pelvic pressure, and sometimes bowel or bladder urgency.  Someone with polycystic ovarian syndrome in which the entire ovary is covered in small cysts can have severe problems with menstrual irregularity, bloating, weight gain, and abnormal hair growth. 

There are two main symptoms of an ovarian cyst. Find out what they are by watching this video featuring obstetrician and gynecologist Evelyn Minaya, M.D..

Often there are no symptoms of an ovarian cyst. However, it may cause pain if it bleeds, ruptures (breaks open), is twisted or causes twisting (torsion) of the Fallopian tube, or pushes on nearby structures in the body.

Other symptoms of ovarian cysts may include abnormal uterine bleeding (a change from the normal menstrual pattern), which could occur in an absent menstruation, an irregular menstruation, a longer-than-usual menstrual cycle, or a shorter-than-usual menstrual cycle; bloating or swelling in the abdomen; pain during bowel movements; pain in the pelvis shortly after beginning or ending a menstrual period; pain with intercourse or pelvic pain during movement; or pelvic pain characterized by a constant, dull aching in the pelvic area.

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