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Home / How to Tell if It's Appendicitis or Ovarian Cyst

How to Tell if It's Appendicitis or Ovarian Cyst

The vast majority of ovarian cysts are non-cancerous (benign) but some are cancerous (malignant), or may become cancerous over time. You may not experience any ovarian cyst symptoms or require any treatment, as many go away on their own. However, some ovarian cysts may need removal with an operation.

Uterus and ovaries

female reproductive system diagram

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac which develops on one of your ovaries. Many are related to your menstrual hormone changes - these usually settle on their own within a few weeks without any treatment. Ovarian cysts often don't cause any symptoms. However, if they become bigger or don't settle on their own, you may need treatment.

In the early stages of every menstrual cycle, your ovaries normally develop small cyst-like structures called follicles - when you ovulate, an egg is released from one of these follicles. If a normal follicle keeps on growing, it becomes a 'functional cyst'. This type of cyst usually disappears within two or three cycles.

Factors that increase your risk of developing ovarian cysts include hormone changes (including fertility drugs), pregnancy, endometriosis and a severe pelvic infection that spreads to your ovaries.

Most ovarian cysts are small, non-cancerous (benign), and cause no symptoms. However, some ovarian cyst symptoms may include one or more of the following:

  • Pain or discomfort in the lower tummy (abdomen).
  • Periods sometimes become irregular, or may become heavier or lighter than usual.

What does ovarian cyst pain feel like?

Ovarian cyst pain varies between different women. It may be sharp or dull; it may come and go or be present all the time; it may or may not be affected by your menstrual cycle (you may also develop irregular periods or spotting between periods). If an ovarian cyst bursts or gets twisted, it can cause very severe pain.

Ovarian cyst pain usually occurs on one side, but it can be in your lower tummy, deep down in the pelvis or both. The main symptom can be a dull ache or discomfort related to feeling bloated. Pain may only occur when you have sex.

Ovarian cysts are very common. They can vary in size - from less than the size of a pea to the size of a large melon (occasionally even larger). There are various types which include:

Functional ovarian cysts

These are the most common type of ovarian cyst. They form in some women of childbearing age (women who still have periods) when there is a functional fault with ovulation. They are very common. There are two types:

  • Follicular cysts. A follicle (see in 'Ovulation', above) can sometimes enlarge and fill with fluid. They can occur commonly in women who are receiving infertility treatment.
  • Corpus luteum cysts. These occur when the corpus luteum (see in 'Ovulation', above) fills with fluid or blood to form a cyst. A blood-filled cyst is sometimes called a haemorrhagic cyst.

Dermoid cysts (sometimes called benign mature cystic teratomas)

Dermoid cysts tend to occur in younger women. These types of ovarian cysts can grow quite large - up to 15 cm across. These cysts often contain odd contents such as hair, parts of teeth or bone, fatty tissue, etc. This is because these cysts develop from cells which make eggs in the ovary. An egg has the potential to develop into any type of cell. So, these cysts can make different types of tissue. In about 1 in 10 cases a dermoid cyst develops in both ovaries. Dermoid cysts can run in families.

Cystadenomas

These develop from cells which cover the outer part of the ovary. There are different types. For example, serous cystadenomas fill with a thin fluid and mucinous cystadenomas fill with a thick mucous-type fluid. These types of cysts are often attached to an ovary by a stalk rather than growing within the ovary itself. Some grow very large. They are usually benign but some are cancerous.

Endometriomas

Many women who have endometriosis develop one or more ovarian cysts. Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial tissue - the tissue that lines the womb (uterus) - is found outside the uterus. It sometimes forms cysts which fill with blood. The old blood within these cysts looks like chocolate and so these cysts are sometimes called chocolate cysts. They are benign. See the separate leaflet called Endometriosis for more information.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic means many cysts. If you have PCOS you develop many tiny benign ovarian cysts. The cysts develop due to a problem with ovulation, caused by an hormonal imbalance. PCOS is associated with period problems, reduced fertility, hair growth, obesity, and acne. See the separate leaflet called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome for more detail on PCOS.

Others

There are also other rare types of ovarian cysts. There are also various types of benign ovarian tumours which are solid and not cystic (do not have fluid in the middle).

  • Although most cysts are benign, some types have a risk of becoming cancerous. (See the separate leaflet called Ovarian Cancer for more details.)
  • Rarely, some ovarian cysts make abnormal amounts of female (or male) chemicals (hormones) which can cause unusual symptoms.
  • Sometimes a cyst may bleed into itself, or burst. This can cause a sudden severe pain in the lower abdomen, which is the most common ovarian cyst symptom.
  • Occasionally, a cyst which is growing on a stalk from an ovary may twist the stalk on itself (a torsion). This stops the blood flowing through the stalk to the cyst and causes the cyst to lose its blood supply. This can cause sudden severe pain in your lower abdomen.
  • Large cysts can cause your abdomen to swell, or press on nearby structures. For example, they may press on your bladder or rectum, which may cause urinary symptoms or constipation.

As most ovarian cysts cause no symptoms, many cysts are diagnosed by chance - for example, during a routine examination, or if you have an ultrasound scan for another reason.

If you have symptoms suggestive of an ovarian cyst, your doctor may examine your tummy (abdomen) and perform an internal (vaginal) examination. They may be able to feel an abnormal swelling which may be a cyst.

An ultrasound scan can confirm an ovarian cyst. An ultrasound scan is a safe and painless test which uses sound waves to create images of organs and structures inside your body. The probe of the scanner may be placed on your abdomen to scan the ovaries. A small probe is also often placed inside your vagina to scan your ovaries, to obtain more detailed images.

A blood test called a CA125 test is often done as well as an ultrasound scan. If this test is normal it is unlikely your cyst is cancerous. In itself a normal blood test does not completely rule out ovarian cancer, but it can do in combination with an ultrasound appearance of a benign cyst.

Some women may have other tests - for example, a computerised tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. For the most common type of benign ovarian cysts this is not needed. It may be useful when the ultrasound scan is not conclusive and/or the CA125 result is higher than normal.

Your specialist will advise on the best course of action. This depends on factors such as:

  • Your age.
  • Whether you are past the menopause.
  • The appearance and size of your cyst from the ultrasound scan.
  • Whether you have any symptoms.

How long do ovarian cysts last?

Many small ovarian cysts will resolve and disappear over a few months. You may be advised to have a repeat ultrasound scan after a few months or so. If the cyst goes away then no further action is needed.

Operation

Removal of an ovarian cyst may be advised, especially if you have symptoms or if the cyst is large. Sometimes the specialist may want to remove the cyst to determine exactly which type of cyst it is and to make sure there are no cancer cells in it. Most smaller cysts can be removed by 'keyhole' (laparoscopic) surgery. Some cysts require a more open style of operation, with a cut in the lower part of the tummy.

The type of operation depends on factors such as the type of cyst, your age, and whether cancer is suspected or ruled out. In some cases, just the cyst is removed and the ovary tissue preserved. In some cases, the ovary is also removed, and sometimes other nearby structures such as the womb (uterus) and the other ovary. Your specialist will advise on the options for your individual situation.

Endometriosis-related cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

See the separate leaflets called Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome for information on these conditions and their treatment.

How to Tell if It's Appendicitis or Ovarian Cyst

Source: https://patient.info/womens-health/pelvic-pain-in-women/ovarian-cyst