Even the words “ruptured ovarian cyst” might make you cringe, which makes sense because that honestly sounds like a pretty terrible thing to go through. But the signs and symptoms that you’ve had an ovarian cyst burst can actually be pretty varied. Sometimes you might not even know you have an ovarian cyst because it successfully flies under the radar. (Good job to your body in that case!) But other times, your ruptured ovarian cyst can make itself known in an extremely unpleasant way. Here’s what you need to know about why ovarian cysts rupture, the signs you’ve had an ovarian cyst burst, what treatment can entail, and more.
What Is an Ovarian Cyst?
There are a few different types of ovarian cysts. Many ovarian cysts form in relation to ovulation (when an ovary releases an egg for potential fertilization), according to the Mayo Clinic. These are known as functional cysts, and there are two kinds. Follicular cysts happen when a follicle (a sac that contains an egg) doesn’t burst to allow ovulation and instead keeps growing, the Mayo Clinic explains. Then there are corpus luteum cysts, which happen when fluid starts building up inside a follicle that’s already done its due diligence and released an egg.
Functional cysts typically go away on their own, usually within two to three menstrual cycles, according to the Mayo Clinic. “Often, women don’t even know they’re there,” Alyssa Dweck, M.D., an assistant clinical professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and coauthor of The Complete A to Z For Your V, tells SELF.
There are other, less common but still non-cancerous cysts you can develop too. Those include:
Endometriomas, which can form as a result of endometriosis, a condition where tissue from the lining of the uterus (or similar tissue) grows outside of the uterus.
Dermoids, which are cysts that can have hair, bones, teeth, or skin.
Cystadenomas, which show up on the surface of the ovary and can be filled with a watery or mucus-based fluid, according to the Mayo Clinic.
A ruptured ovarian cyst, then, is a fluid-filled, typically benign (non-cancerous) mass on an ovary that has broken open. “In most cases, cysts are harmless and go away on their own,” board-certified ob-gyn Pari Ghodsi, M.D., tells SELF. “In other cases, they may cause problems and need treatment.”
What Happens When an Ovarian Cyst Bursts?
Ovarian cysts often don’t cause any trouble at all, but they can if they rupture or don’t stop growing. Most cysts are small and don’t cause symptoms, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But if they grow large enough, they can cause pain in your lower abdomen on the side of the cyst, along with bloating or a sense of pressure.
Dermoid cysts and cystadenomas in particular can become pretty large, the Mayo Clinic says, which, in addition to causing the above symptoms, can cause the ovary to shift from its usual position, increasing the chances it will twist on itself in a painful issue known as an ovarian torsion. This can lead to nausea and vomiting, along with pain.
And if your ovarian cyst actually bursts, as it releases fluid into your body the pain can definitely make you take notice. Although you might be unaware as this happens, sometimes it can cause pain because it irritates the lining of your abdomen, Stephanie V. Blank, M.D., director of women’s health at Mount Sinai Downtown Chelsea and professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, tells SELF.
Causes of Cysts and Ruptures
As we mentioned, most ovarian cysts (as in, those functional ones) develop as a result of your menstrual cycle, the Mayo Clinic says. Other types of cysts are much less common. And since certain ovarian cysts, like cystadenomas and endometriomas, are more likely to become large, that can also make them more likely to rupture, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Ovarian cysts can rupture randomly, or they can break open due to intense physical activity like sex, the Mayo Clinic says. “We often see someone come to the ER at night with terrible pain that came on all of a sudden during intercourse [from a ruptured ovarian cyst],” Dr. Dweck says.
Ruptured Ovarian Cyst Symptoms
When an ovarian cyst ruptures, the fluid inside of it ends up in your pelvic cavity, where it’s usually reabsorbed over time, explains Jason James, M.D., medical director at Miami’s FemCare Ob-Gyn. If you’re lucky, as we mentioned, you might not even feel a cyst as it bursts. Other times, though, you will.
Per the Mayo Clinic, signs that you may have a ruptured ovarian cyst include:
Dull or sharp pain on one side of your lower abdomen
A feeling of fullness or heaviness in your abdomen
Bloating
Pain that comes with a fever
Pain accompanied by vomiting
Lightheadedness or weakness
Breathing at a rapid rate
Chilly, clammy skin
Vaginal bleeding
Many of these ruptured ovarian cyst symptoms aren’t anything to really worry about, Dr. Dweck says, like pain that isn’t too severe and a sensation of heaviness or bloating.
When to See a Doctor for a Ruptured Ovarian Cyst
There are definitely times when a ruptured ovarian cyst is a sign you should see a doctor ASAP, the Mayo Clinic says. That includes having a fever, vomiting, feeling weak, breathing too quickly, having clammy skin, and bleeding vaginally.
And you can take an even broader approach. Dr. Ghodsi’s rule of thumb: If you experience a sudden abdominal pain that isn’t relieved by over-the-counter medicine, call your doctor or go to the emergency room. There are so many different things that can be going on—it could be one of a variety of cysts or something entirely different, such as appendicitis or a kidney stone—that it’s good to get checked out.
Burst Ovarian Cyst Diagnosis
To see if you’ve had an ovarian cyst burst, medical professionals may do a pelvic exam, lab tests, or a transvaginal ultrasound, i.e., an ultrasound with a wand that goes inside your vagina, to try to see what’s going on, the Mayo Clinic says. If you had a cyst that burst, your doctor will usually be able to see some fluid or blood in your pelvis.
They may also perform blood tests, have you do a pregnancy test, or have you do a laparoscopy, which involves using a thin, lit tool to further examine and potentially remove your ovarian cyst, the Mayo Clinic says.
Treatment for a Ruptured Ovarian Cyst
The first line of treatment is about managing your pain. Taking an NSAID like aspirin or ibuprofen can help, Lauren Streicher, M.D., an associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, tells SELF. But in more extreme cases you might get IV pain medication at the hospital. Your doctor may also recommend you go on hormonal birth control, which can prevent ovulation and reduce your chances of a cyst recurring.
In rare cases, you may need surgery to remove a ruptured ovarian cyst, according to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Luckily, surgery for a ruptured ovarian cyst is only called for if your case is severe (like take-an-ambulance-to-the-E.R. severe). If you do need surgery, it’s likely because of internal bleeding.
Surgery could go one of two ways: It could be a minimally invasive procedure called a laparoscopy, which means it uses very small incisions, or it could be a more standard operation where larger incisions are made, per Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Any surgery comes with risks and benefits, but in the case of severe ovarian cyst rupture, the benefits usually outweigh the risks.
In addition to the cyst, your doctor may also remove any blood clots or additional fluid, if needed. In some cases, they may remove the entire ovary if it’s absolutely necessary for your health.
Home Remedies for Ruptured Ovarian Cysts
You can try first-line treatment, as in taking an NSAID, at home. In some cases, that will tame the twinges of a ruptured ovarian cyst enough that you don’t need any further treatment. But if the pain persists or it gets worse, it’s time to talk to your doctor. As we mentioned, ruptured ovarian cysts can cause internal bleeding—so if you’re experiencing serious symptoms like severe pain, fever, vomiting, and the other red flags we’ve mentioned above, home remedies likely aren’t going to cut it for you.
Ovarian Cyst Burst Prevention
Unfortunately, there’s really no way to prevent ovarian cysts, the Mayo Clinic says. But, getting regular pelvic exams may help detect larger cysts before they burst. So make sure you’re getting your regular pelvic exams, as recommended. (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says how often you need them depends on what you and your doctor agree upon based on your medical history and any health conditions you may need to take into account.) And, of course, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor sooner if you notice changes in your monthly cycle or you’re having weird period symptoms—especially ones that last more than a few cycles.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic, Ovarian Cysts
Merck Manuals, Noncancerous Ovarian Growths
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Ovarian Cysts
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Management of Ruptured Ovarian Cyst
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, The Utility and Indications for Routine Pelvic Examination
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