Lilly Singh, the host of A Little Late with Lilly Singh, recently shared she has been hospitalized for ovarian cysts. On Thursday, she posted the news to Instagram from her hospital bed, writing: “Spent the last day in the ER because my ovaries have the AUDACITY to be wilding out.” The comedian wrote that both of her ovaries have cysts before adding, “You’re going to make me suffer once a month and then IN ADDITION, stab me inbetween periods?!”
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form in the ovary or on its surface. An ovarian follicle that doesn’t release an egg may develop a cyst on the ovary, but the exact cause of ovarian cysts is difficult to define. “It hurts and I’m tired lol but I truly expect nothing less than my organs doing the most. After all I am their mother,” the 33-year-old added. The pain Singh is referring to is a common symptom of ovarian cysts and can potentially occur when cysts are large, which can cause aches and discomfort in the abdomen or more frequent urination if the cyst is placing pressure on the bladder.
Singh began her career as an entertainer with a popular YouTube comedy channel, amassing more than 14 million followers. In the past, the Canadian star has repeatedly been named by Forbes as one of the world’s highest-paid YouTube stars. Her NBC talk show, A Little Late With Lilly Singh, made headlines when Singh became the first person of South Asian descent and the first openly bisexual person to host a major late-night show in the U.S. The talk show wrapped in June 2021, according to The L.A. Times.
If you are concerned about whether you might have an ovarian cyst, the Mayo Clinic lists the symptoms as a feeling of heaviness or a severe, sharp ache in the lower abdomen, bloating, fever, and vomiting. If you notice a combination of these symptoms, it may be a good idea to visit your doctor to determine if any additional steps should be taken.
Many people with ovaries may unfortunately understand exactly where Singh is coming from. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the prevalence of ovarian cysts in the U.S. varies, but around 5 to 10% of people undergo surgery for ovarian cysts. While these cysts can occasionally develop into ovarian cancer, many of them are not precancerous. Of these surgeries, between 13 to 21% of these cysts are considered to be malignant. Research has found that most ovarian cysts are asymptomatic and many tend to disappear without treatment.
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