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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
Actually I can show you my ultrasound and my ct scan each that both show follicles (11 total ) ON my right ovary and a large cyst ON my ovary. Maybe it's you that needs some education from a dr? Also even women w poly cystic ovarian syndrome have them ON my brith mother doesn't have plus cystic and they are ON it would be physically impossible to have them IN your ovary as they would cause our ovary itself to burst therefore causing internal bleeding not the way a normal cyst comes out like a period. Idiot.
September 5, 2015 - 12:12pmThis Comment
Lol maybe YOU need to see a dr first I have papers right here saying I have cysts ON my ovaries NOT IN!! And this has caused my ovary to swell. You sound like and IDIOT
August 15, 2015 - 9:50pmThis Comment
I have been spotting for 21 days now. This of course is not normal for me. I am going to be turning 41 in a couple of months. My doctor says it isn't perimenopause. It is really freaking me out.
March 22, 2015 - 9:32pmThis Comment
I have a benign cyst no pain. Had lots of bleeding for months at a time and would only stop for 2 days a month. Had to take birth control pills to stop the bleeding with took 3 months n hass been successful . no i believe the cyst has ruptured. I have been having lower back pain always dizzy no more bleeding seldomly spot. However i have alot of wetness n don't know why feels like my water has broke, yet i am NOT pregnant. Any advice
March 19, 2015 - 1:51pmThis Comment
I've been wondering the same thing about the wetness. I have seen on the depo shot for 6 months now and though I don't have a period I still have spotting. But the more I think about I think it may be cyst repturing. I have back pain like crazy and wetness that I can't explain. I feel like my Drs and idiot and she just wants to write me a prescription for Norco for the back pain. I hate self diagnoseing but right now I feel like I'm a better dr then her. Hopycan get an answer soon as to what's goin on.
March 20, 2015 - 10:39pmThis Comment
i never got my period and apparently i have an ovarian cyst and it burst it hurts so much i had to stay in a wheel chair and the doctors had to call other doctors from different hospitals to come its really painful but i had no bleedng
March 18, 2015 - 3:38pmThis Comment
Im not having pain continuosly only some times i will get very mildly. I came to know that im also having ovarian cyst when i went near to doctor with other problem. I'm worried about that
March 14, 2015 - 12:21amThis Comment
bleeding is mentioned a couple of times in this article and i just wanted to point out that while uterine bleeding is concerning bleeding into the abdominal cavity is just as likely and probably more dangerous because there is not a visual symptom. if you have intense pain in your stomach or lower back and laying on your back causes spasms and pain in your chest/shoulders/upper back go to the ER.
February 15, 2015 - 6:42amThis Comment
Ok. I think I have had a couple issues going on and thought it was all related to one thing. First...IBS. mostly under control. Would tell my doctors I had a churning in my abdomen and would be bloated. Just felt it was blood.....due to IBS and internal hernias. After reading this and other comments I am beginning to think it is "liquid" from my ovaries/cysts. Last week I had a quick sharp pain lower left side...assuming ovary location. Next day I was home sick...al I can say is I felt yucky. Thought I had been eating too many veggies and too many other foods that had my stomach all messed up again.....and I felt wet....now after putting all these comments together.....think I had another rupture.....damn....my insides are revolting against me!
August 16, 2015 - 3:38pmThis Comment
Wow. I think I may have found my problem! 2 nights ago I had severe stabbing pains. My right arm hurt, my hips hurt. I was scared. Didn't get much sleep and when I did it wasn't restful. Late the next morning I got a fever. Was to weak, and maybe delirious to get out of bed. Once the fever broke, the pain was almost gone. Still sore lower left abdomen and an occasional pinch of pain. I had a hysterectomy 10 1/2 years a got and kept got ovaries.
February 28, 2015 - 1:47amI have had stomach issues for years, and pass blood frequently in my stool. Have had many test with gastrointolgists and been told I have IBS and inner hemmroids. Could the blood I pass be from hem morphing of the cysts or the ovaries???
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