Is Ruptured Ovarian Cyst Something to Worry About?

Many women have had an ovarian cyst at some point in their life. These are fluid or tissue-filled pouches that develop in the ovaries and are very common in patients who menstruate. They don’t always cause symptoms, but they can grow, rupture, and bleed as part of the menstrual cycle. 

Most of the time, ovarian cysts heal independently, but there are some instances where a ruptured ovarian cyst needs urgent medical care.

This article will discuss why ovarian cysts can burst and explore some ruptured ovarian cyst symptoms. You’ll also learn about the tests we use to provide a diagnosis and the treatment plans that may be suitable for your condition. 

Factors That Might Need Medical Attention

There are some factors and conditions that indicate that a ruptured ovarian cyst might need medical attention. These include:

Ovarian Torsion

This condition occurs when a person has twisted ovaries and cuts off the blood supply to the ovary and fallopian tube. If we don’t treat it immediately, tissue death can occur. 

Symptoms associated with ovarian torsion include:

• Severe pelvic pain.
• Fever.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Abnormal bleeding.

Infection

If you have a pelvic infection, you have a great chance of developing cysts. If the infected cyst ruptures, you can get sepsis, a serious infection that causes your immune system to attack your body. In such cases, we prescribe antibiotics or recommend that the patient undergoes surgery to drain the cyst. 

Furthermore, women with sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, can develop the pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), leading to infected ovarian cysts. If these cysts rupture, they can lead to sepsis.

Pregnancy 

An ovarian cyst can develop during the first trimester of pregnancy, and we refer to it as the corpus luteum. It usually goes away on its own by the second trimester. 

Some women have an ectopic pregnancy. This is when the fertilized egg grows outside the uterus and requires immediate medical care, as it can cause life-threatening bleeding. Its symptoms include upset stomach, dizziness, pain on one side of the body, and pelvic pain.

The patient may have to take medication or undergo surgery to remove the cyst that has developed due to the ectopic pregnancy.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that causes tissue similar to the endometrial tissue to grow outside the uterus. When this forms on the ovaries, it can develop an endometrioma, a type of cyst filled with blood that can also enlarge. 

We can treat these cysts with surgery, and patients with endometriosis have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects women in their childbearing years and causes small fluid-filled sacs to develop on the ovaries. It can lead to excess hair growth, acne, infertility, obesity, and menstrual cycle abnormalities. 

Also, women with this condition have a higher risk for a ruptured ovarian cyst.

Ruptured Ovarian Cyst Symptoms

Some ruptured ovarian cyst symptoms that women may experience include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Vaginal spotting or bleeding.
• Abdominal bloating.

However, we advise you to seek immediate medical care if you have abdominal pain with:

• Dizziness. 
• Fever. 
• Heavy vaginal bleeding. 

In addition to that, we recommend that you call your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Swollen abdomen.
• Difficulty urinating.
• Nausea and vomiting during your period
• Pain that persists when taking medication. 

Diagnosing a Ruptured Ovarian Cyst

How do we diagnose a ruptured ovarian cyst?

As your gynecologists in Boca Raton, we meet women with different conditions and provide diagnoses and treatment plans that depend on their symptoms and medical history.

When a patient visits our women’s health clinic and has symptoms associated with a ruptured ovarian cyst, we ask when was the first time they felt the pain and what they were doing to help the pain. We also ask if they have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer or PCOS.

We ask about their medical history and what they were doing when they first felt the pain to discuss their symptoms. We may also perform:

• Blood tests: These help us check whether you are pregnant or have an ectopic pregnancy. They also help us determine if you have an infection or tumor. 
• An ultrasound: During this exam, we insert an ultrasound wand into your vagina and guide it toward your uterus, as it helps us view your cyst’s size, location, and shape.

The following sections focus on the ruptured ovarian cyst treatment options, recovery time, and prevention.

Treating a Ruptured Ovarian Cyst

A ruptured ovarian cyst treatment plan depends on the cysts’ size and the patient’s age. You might not require treatment if the body absorbed all the fluid that came out when the cyst ruptured. 

However, we may recommend the following:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen can help to decrease pain, swelling, and fever, and you can buy it with or without a prescription. However, these types of drugs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems; therefore, it is important to let your doctor know if you take blood thinner medicine. 

• Prescription pain medication: Some of these contain acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage. Some people also have constipation while taking prescription pain medicine, so your doctor may provide some tips to help you prevent or treat this problem.

• Antibiotics: These can be helpful to prevent or treat an infection, and you shouldn’t stop your treatment without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better. Regular use ensures that the bacteria causing the infection are killed.
• Surgery: Patients may need to undergo surgery if the ruptured cyst has caused severe bleeding. Surgery can help prevent additional blood loss and stop hemorrhage. If we don’t treat this, the bleeding can lead to hemoperitoneum. This condition causes blood to accumulate between the inner lining of the abdominal wall and internal organs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about ovarian cysts:

How Long Does Ruptured Ovarian Cyst Pain Last?

Ruptured ovarian cysts’ recovery time depends on the follow-up after-care plan that the healthcare team creates for you. 

For example, if you have a complex ruptured cyst, a hospital for the first few days may be necessary for your health, and if it’s no longer causing any bleeding, you may be able to go home.

If the doctors believe that your cyst isn’t a complex one, they may suggest that you recover at home. However, you should call the clinic immediately if the pain gets worse or you feel dizzy.

How Do You Prevent a Cyst from Rupturing?

You can’t prevent an ovarian cyst from rupturing, but your doctor may check whether the cyst increases in size or drains on its own.

They may also recommend that you do the following:

• Applying heat: You can put a heating pad or a water bottle on the area where you have pain or even have a warm bath.

• Attending follow-up exams: Your doctor may need to perform another ultrasound six weeks after your ruptured ovarian cyst treatment. This helps them check that the cyst isn’t growing or causing any health problems that could affect your ovaries.

• Considering other treatment options: Some patients take birth control medications as these reduce their risk for cysts. Ask your healthcare provider whether these are suitable for you, as you may have a higher risk for blood clots if you smoke or are aged 35 years and older. 
• Having regular pelvic exams: These involve a pap smear that checks for cancers – you should also tell your physician if you experience any changes in your menstrual cycle. 

Book Your Appointment Today

Women who have ovarian cysts don’t always have symptoms, and therefore, they don’t always require treatment. However, sometimes, when these cysts burst, the patient may need to see a doctor right away, as complications can arise. 

Pregnancy and health conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis can increase the risk for a ruptured ovarian cyst.

That said if you have a family history of PCOS, breast and ovarian cancer, or you experience any symptoms associated with a ruptured ovarian cyst, book your appointment with our gynecology specialist at Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton today.

We’ll talk about your symptoms and tests that can help you with a diagnosis and treatment plan.