Pain, Bleeding Could Be Signs Of Burst Ovarian Cysts

By Amanda Clark

Ovarian cysts are a cause of concern for many women, especially the possibility that the cyst might burst. Burst ovarian cysts are a condition that needs immediate attention.

Cysts on the ovaries can be common among women of childbearing age, but rarely are they life-threatening. During normal monthly menstruation, a follicle in the ovary releases an egg, or ovum, in the menstrual cycle. Sometimes, however, the follicle fails to break open, causing the formation of a cyst. This type of cyst is called a "functional cyst."

A cyst will form if the sac doesn't break open to release the ovum (egg). This is called a "functional cyst." The other cause of ovarian cyst is when the sac seals itself off after the egg is released instead of dissolving as normal. This type of cyst, called a "corpus luteum cyst, " fills with fluid.

Most ovarian cysts go away naturally within four to 12 weeks. Sometimes, however, an ovarian cyst can burst, causing a woman severe pain and needing emergency attention.

A burst ovarian cyst causes a woman pain that typically radiates throughout the pelvic region into the lower abdomen. How severe the pain gets depends on whether the cyst is infected or bleeding, and of what the cyst is composed, such as fluid or blood. The contents can irritate the peritoneal lining, which increase the pain. An ovarian cyst also can give a woman discomfort by influencing the ovary to produce more prostaglandins.

Typically ovarian cysts measure between 5cm and 10 cm, making them large enough to cause intense pain. A burst ovarian cyst results in extreme pain for a woman, the kind of pain that makes a person double up in agony.

Any time a woman finds herself in this type of pelvic pain, particularly when bleeding or spotting is also present, she should seek emergency treatment. In all likelihood the cause is a burst ovarian cyst and should be seen to immediately by a physician. - 29962

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