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What to Do when an Ovarian Cyst Ruptures

 
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cystic ovary, burst ovary, ovaries burst, ovary burst Via Pexels

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking part in sexual intercourse. It was all going great until about halfway through – with all of the pushing, pulling, and jostling around, it felt like something in my lower left pelvic region had been knocked free. At the time it just felt like a slight twinge, so I finished up my business and moved on.

As the night progressed, the tiny pinprick didn’t go away. In fact, it got worse. It transformed from a pinch to an ache to a full-blown stabbing pain. Needless to say, I was pretty freaked out (appendix? miscarriage? infection?) and finally went to the emergency room around midnight because I couldn’t sleep.

After undergoing a few vital tests I was sent home and told to come back in the morning for an ultrasound. As a picture of my uterus flashed across the screen the next day, I took note of what looked like an ugly purple bruise on one of my ovaries. “Yep,” the technician said to me. “You've got a ruptured cyst.”

It turns out that ruptured cysts are a relatively common phenomenon. Cysts are little fluid-filled sacs that grow on the outside of your ovaries. They start out as follicles, which are usually eliminated each month during menstruation. The most stubborn follicles hang around and set up camp to become full-blown cysts. Sometimes cysts will go away on their own and sometimes they require surgical removal. Doctors often take a biopsy of surgically removed cysts in order to confirm that they are benign (non-cancerous).

When a cyst bursts, or ruptures, a woman will most likely experience pain and bleeding. She may also have a feeling of fullness or heaviness in her abdomen and may be extra sensitive during sexual activities and trips to the bathroom.

The biggest health risk associated with ruptured cysts is hemorrhaging. You don’t want to lose too much blood or become dizzy or weak – these are all bad signs! Always visit a doctor if your pain is severe or bleeding continues for days on end. It is a good idea to mention the cyst to your gynecologist next time you’re in for an exam, too, so that more severe medical problems can be ruled out.

Given that you don’t have any other major reproductive issues, you probably won’t require any further treatment once the cyst drains. Simply wear a tampon or sanitary napkin until bleeding ceases. Repeated cysts may be treated with birth control pills, which regulate hormones and reduce follicle growth.

Add a Comment25 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Actually you can definitely have cysts in your ovaries as I have about 4 of them right now so you should really know what you are talking about because clearly you have no idea what you are talking about. There are different kinds some inside some on the outer side of your ovaries.

February 3, 2016 - 9:15pm
(reply to Anonymous)

Could they cause brown colored blood then red colored. And cause bad pain?

February 26, 2016 - 9:20pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I usually get small cysts every month and since they're small, I get multiple. But this month I got a humongous one that took up the left side of walla and it hurt like hell. But just thirty minutes ago, I sat down on the toilet and within 20 minutes I looked down to see it had drained and their was a pool of blood in the toilet, trailing from me. This cyst had las ten about four days. Four days of excruciating pain that was almost unbearable. But it eventually popped and I seriously hope I never get a cyst this big again.

December 31, 2015 - 1:10pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I'm a young girl, with the constant problem of cysts on my ovaries bursting , it first began over two years ago where for a week I was feeling constant stabbing pains in my lower right side , doctors asummed it was my appendix but when examined showed it was a cysts whic burst, I was left untreated with not even pain medication, this happened several times after but it was bare able until 2 months ago where I was brought to hospital and was kept there for a week! 2 cysts had burst together causing extreme pain and bleeding which I had never witnessed before with these cysts , I had also experienced hip pains and lower back pains in my left side and could not walk .. This shows no matter what you can experience different symptoms each time you have something wrong and you should not assume you have what another person has because of similar symptoms, always be checked just to be sure!

September 5, 2015 - 7:31am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

You described exactly what I'm at home been going through for over a week. I'm not bleeding heavy enough to really need pads but all the hip pain leg pain bloating even my bowls are messed up.

November 26, 2017 - 9:14am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

You should speak with a doctor before writing an article on the anatomical presentation of ovarian cysts. Follicles are inside your ovaries, and cysts grow INSIDE your ovaries. The pain that is being experienced is from the pressure and stretching of your ovary as it contains the cyst inside its walls.

May 2, 2015 - 2:31pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Stop being so negative. You are full of hate and VERY unhappy. These people are only trying to help!

July 16, 2016 - 9:53pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Mine was on not in. I've never had one in. You can see it clearly from the ultrasound. Size of a quarter on top outside. Maybe you need a dr

February 3, 2016 - 10:50pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

FYI there are different types of ovarian cyst. There are the ones that form inside the ovary and there are ones that form OUTSIDE the ovary commonly as a result of endometriosis. I have had both as well as endometriosis and I can tell you that if a cyst on the OUTSIDE of the ovary gets big enough before it burst you will be in horrible pain.

November 20, 2015 - 1:09am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Actually, there are several different types of ovarian cysts. Not all of them grow on the inside of the ovaries.

November 10, 2015 - 5:51pm
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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