Severe pelvic and abdominal pain can deteriorate the quality of a woman's life. The fluctuating sharp, and dull pain unsettles her completely. Her movements get restricted, and it can even render her motionless. All these could be an indication of an ovarian cyst.  

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs or pockets in your ovary or on its surface. These are common and, most of the time, painless and harmless. You might get one once a month along with your menstrual cycle. These usually go away on their own. The cyst becomes a problem when they do not go away and start to grow bigger.  

Ovarian cysts are generally small and don't cause any problems. Though there's a possibility of cancer, it can be rare. As you get older, the chances also go up. Hormone problems, endometriosis, a severe pelvic infection, or a previous cyst can lead to an ovarian cyst.  

Ovarian Cysts Common Symptoms 

• Sudden and severe pain, bloating, swelling in one side of your lower belly 
• Weakness, dizziness, fainting, and extreme mood swings 
• Breathing heavily, fever, and throwing up 

Causes and Reasons for Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are associated with menstrual cycles, and most of these are functional. Generally, there are two types of functional cysts. Such cysts are usually harmless. These rarely cause pain and tend to disappear on their own within two or three menstrual cycles. 

• Follicle cyst: 

A woman's ovaries usually release one egg every month. The egg grows inside a tiny sac called a follicle. The follicle breaks open and releases the egg when it is ready. Sometimes the sac doesn't open, resulting in a follicle cyst. However, these go away in 1 to 3 months.

• Corpus luteum cyst: 

The follicle shrinks and prepares the next egg when the egg is released. Sometimes, fluid collects inside the follicle, thus becoming the corpus luteum cyst. Though it may go away in a few weeks, it can lead to bleeding or cause pain as it grows.

Not all cysts are related to the normal function of your menstrual cycle. There are also other types of cysts.  

• Dermoid cysts: 

Also called teratomas, can contain tissue, such as hair, skin, or teeth because they form from embryonic cells. These are rarely malignant. 

• Cystadenomas: 

These develop on the surface of an ovary and might be filled with a watery or mucous material.

• Endometriomas: 

It is a condition in which endometrial cells grow outside your uterus. Some of the tissue can attach to your ovary and form a growth.

Ovarian torsion causes the ovary to move, increasing the chance of painful twisting of your ovary. The onset of severe pelvic pain, nausea, and vomiting are general symptoms. It can decrease or stop blood flow to the ovaries. Severe internal bleeding can happen when a cyst ruptures. Risk increases with the increase in the size of the cyst. When a cyst ruptures, it causes intense pain and internal bleeding. The risk of rupture increases as the size of the cyst increases. Vaginal intercourse or any other vigorous pelvic activity can increase the risk. 

Treatment available for Ovarian Cysts

Medication, laparoscopic and surgical remedies are available treatment options. 

Consult your doctor for a detailed medical examination and treatment.