Do ovarian cysts hurt?

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Most ovarian cysts do not cause abdominal pain, especially when they are small and benign. However, some patients with ovarian cysts may experience abdominal pain symptoms. For example, endometriotic cysts, also known as chocolate cysts, can cause severe lower abdominal pain, particularly manifesting as menstrual-like abdominal pain. When these pain symptoms occur, the primary reason patients initially visit local hospitals is to undergo medical examination for the condition.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Are ovarian cysts easy to treat?

Most ovarian cysts are physiological. If it's the first time an ovarian cyst is detected, it can be observed, and a re-examination can be conducted after two months. If the cyst disappears or reduces in size, it is physiological and there is no need for concern or treatment. However, if the ovarian cyst has not reduced but has increased in size after two months, this is pathological, indicating an ovarian tumor. In this case, surgical treatment is necessary. This is because if an ovarian tumor persists for a long period, it may become malignant or lead to ovarian torsion, both of which can affect the body adversely.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Symptoms of benign ovarian cysts

When women develop benign ovarian cysts, the clinical symptoms are somewhat related to the number and size of the cysts. For example, when the cysts are relatively small in diameter, they usually exhibit no clinical manifestations and are often only discovered during routine gynecological exams or ultrasound screenings. As the cysts grow in size, some women may experience heaviness and pain on one side of the lower abdomen, along with a sore back. These abdominal symptoms can worsen with excessive fatigue, staying up late, or during intercourse. Some women may also experience abnormalities in their menstrual cycle, such as changes in the amount of menstrual bleeding, duration of menstruation, or irregular vaginal bleeding.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is an adnexal cyst the same as an ovarian cyst?

Adnexa clinically refers to the fallopian tubes and ovaries combined, thus, adnexal cysts are not necessarily ovarian cysts. During gynecological ultrasound, these are often reported as cysts in the adnexal area because the proximity of the ovaries and fallopian tubes makes it difficult to conclusively determine if an adnexal cyst is an ovarian cyst. Clinically, cysts in the fallopian tubes are also referred to as cysts in the adnexal area. Distinguishing them often requires surgery to see the exact location of the cyst for identification.

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Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Are ovarian cysts serious?

Ovarian tissue is very complex in composition. It is the site with the most types of primary tumors among all body organs. Different types of ovarian tumors exhibit significant differences in histological structure and biological behavior. Benign ovarian tumors are typically small, often asymptomatic, and are usually discovered incidentally during gynecological examinations. As cysts grow, one may experience abdominal bloating or feel a mass in the abdomen. During examination, abdominal distention can be observed, the mass is usually mobile, percussion shows a dull sound, and there is no shifting dullness. If the tumor is malignant, there are often no symptoms in the early stages; later stages mainly present with symptoms of abdominal bloating, abdominal masses, and gastrointestinal symptoms. If adhesions occur with surrounding tissues, symptoms of compression, such as abdominal pain, back pain, and leg pain may also appear. Therefore, ovarian tumors should be treated promptly once detected.

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Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of ovarian cysts

The cause of ovarian cysts is unclear, with many factors that can lead to ovarian cysts. The most common type of physiological ovarian cyst is the follicular cyst. The most common pathological causes are chronic inflammation or abnormalities in hormone secretion and endocrine factors, but most causes are unclear. If an ovarian cyst is discovered, it is recommended to regularly check with a color Doppler ultrasound, which is a common gynecological test for tumor markers. If the results are abnormal, timely surgical treatment is recommended to more directly understand the nature of the ovarian cyst. If the cyst is smaller than five centimeters in diameter and has good internal sound transmission, it can be observed regularly; otherwise, aggressive surgical treatment is advised.