Ruptured Ovarian Cyst Symptoms

A cystic structure that is known as a follicle is formed every month during a normal menstrual cycle. These follicles secrete progesterone and estrogen, which stimulates the release of a mature egg. In cases when the follicle continues to grow, it is called an ovarian cyst.

Ovarian cysts are common in all women who continue to experience menstruation. In many cases, ovarian cysts are completely asymptomatic - in other words, a woman will not experience any pain or other signs or symptoms which will alert her to the fact that she has a cyst. Thankfully, most ovarian cysts resolve, even without treatment after one or two menstrual cycles.

An ovarian cyst may be complex or simple. The content of a simple ovarian cyst is fluid, whereas both fluid and solids make up the content of a complex ovarian cyst. 2 examples of simple and functional cysts are Follicular cysts and graffian cysts. Complex ovarian cysts are of several types, such as dermatoid cysts, endometriomas and cystadenomas.

It is only a ruptured ovarian cyst that can be potentially harmful and can produce life-threatening symptoms too. A common cause of ruptured ovarian cysts is when the body does not release enough lutenizing hormones. When this happens, the eggs remain attached onto follicles and later on develop into cysts, which might further develop into a ruptured ovarian cyst.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a ruptured ovarian cyst vary from one individual to another, however there are some typical symptoms that can be linked to ruptured ovarian cysts. They are:

• Irregular menstrual cycles
• A constant or intermittent dull ache in the pelvic area
• Pain the in the pelvis shortly before the menstrual cycles begins and ends
• Pain in the pelvis during intercourse
• Nausea, breast tenderness and vomiting
• Heaviness or fullness in the abdomen
• Pressure on the rectum or bladder

Treatment

The treatment for a ruptured ovarian cyst depends on the severity of the condition, the extent of the damage caused by the rupture and whether there are any complications associated with the cystic rupture.

The first thing the doctor will do is to stabilize the condition. For this, the doctor will be required to assess the airway, breathing and circulation. In most cases of ovarian cysts rupture, the doctor will begin antibiotics. In pre-menopausal women, the doctor might start drugs that prevent ovulation.

Once the condition has been stabilized, the doctor may want to continue running tests to understand the condition better. Some of the tests that the doctor may conduct are ultrasound, laparascopy and ultrasonography.