Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries, the female reproductive organs that produce eggs. Women can develop ovarian cysts as a normal part of their menstrual cycle as the ovaries prepare eggs to release into the fallopian tubes. While many of these cysts are completely benign (not harmful to health), some ovarian cysts can be malignant, meaning they pose a danger to health.

Ovarian Cyst Symptoms

The majority of ovarian cyst symptoms are harmless ovarian cysts. It's been estimated that up to ten percent of women of childbearing age can develop potentially dangerous or serious ovarian cyst symptoms.

Before getting into the actual symptoms of an ovarian cyst you need to learn exactly what it is. An Ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac found usually on the surface of an ovary.

Depending on where the cyst is and its size, it may put pressure on the bladder or bowels, making you need to go to the toilet more often.

In rare cases, ovarian cysts can cause abnormal amounts of hormones to be produced. This can affect your periods, and speed up or change the way your breasts and body hair grow.

Rupture of the cyst. A large cyst is associated with moderately severe, sharp, boring and constant pain that increases while the cyst enlarges to the point of rupture.

Twisting of the cyst around its blood supply. A twisted ovary can be severely painful as the blood supply to the ovary diminishes.

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

In many cases there are no symptoms what so ever. However if symptoms do occur a female will feel:

A swollen abdomen.

Increased pressure on the bladder or bowels (which means you will find the need to go to the toilet more frequently).

Painful sexual intercourse.

Irregular periods.

Pelvic pain shortly after beginning or ending a menstrual period.

Difficulty urinating

Abnormal uterine bleeding

Ovarian cysts are sometimes a feature of other conditions affecting the pelvic organs, such as endometriosis. They are occasionally seen in early pregnancy.

Very occasionally, an ovarian cyst is actually the earliest form of ovarian cancer. However, ovarian cysts are very common, and affect mainly women in their 30s and 40s, whereas ovarian cancer is uncommon and mostly affects women over the age of 50.

Direct pressure from the cysts on the ovaries and surrounding structures. This causes chronic pelvic fullness or a dull ache.

Bleeding from a cyst into and around the ovary. This causes more intense, sharp pain.

If you have had an abnormal cyst removed, you will also need to prevent a recurrence. The underlying problem here is not a simple hormonal imbalance, but abnormal cell growth. The approach in this instance is to ensure that your immune system is functioning properly, so that abnormal cells can be engulfed and destroyed. You'll also need to optimise the function of your liver, which plays a part in the destruction of abnormal cells and foreign substances before they reach the bloodstream.