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Symptoms of ovarian cysts differ between individuals depending on the type, size and number of cysts, among other factors. Many women have no symptoms at all. Sometimes women can experience lower abdominal pain which can vary in intensity. Symptoms may also include painful intercourse.
Complications of ovarian cysts include twisting, rupturing or bleeding of a cyst, which can result in sudden, sharp abdominal pain. Pelvic bleeding or hemorrhage can also occur and result in low blood pressure, shock and death if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Sometimes ovarian cysts can affect normal hormone production or create problems with ovulation, and result in symptoms, such as irregular or infrequent periods, amenorrhea, vaginal bleeding, and infertility. This is especially a risk for women who develop polycystic ovarian syndrome....more about Ovarian cysts »
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Ovarian cysts includes the 26 symptoms listed below:
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The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Ovarian cysts includes:
See the full list of 7 alternative diagnoses for Ovarian cysts
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More information about symptoms of Ovarian cysts and related conditions:
Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions, or drug side effect causes of that symptom.
Medical Books Excerpts Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to Ovarian cysts are available from published medical books for more detailed information about Ovarian cysts.
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the symptoms of Ovarian cysts.
Typically, symptoms vary with the size of the tumor. An ovary may grow to considerable size before it produces overt symptoms. Occasionally, in the early stages, ovarian cancer causes vague abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia, and other mild GI disturbances. As it progresses, it causes urinary frequency, constipation, pelvic discomfort, distention, and weight loss. Tumor rupture, torsion, or infection may cause pain, which, in young patients, may mimic appendicitis. Granulosa cell tumors have feminizing effects (such as bleeding between periods in premenopausal women); conversely, arrhenoblastomas have virilizing effects. Advanced ovarian cancer causes ascites, rarely postmenopausal bleeding and pain, and symptoms relating to metastatic sites (most commonly pleural effusions).
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Small ovarian cysts (such as follicular cysts) usually don’t produce symptoms unless torsion or rupture causes signs of an acute abdomen (abdominal tenderness, distention, and rigidity). Large or multiple cysts may induce mild pelvic discomfort, low back pain, dyspareunia, or abnormal uterine bleeding secondary to a disturbed ovulatory pattern. Ovarian cysts with torsion induce acute abdominal pain similar to that of appendicitis.
Granulosa-lutein cysts that appear early in pregnancy may grow as large as 2" to 2½"(5 to 6 cm) in diameter and produce unilateral pelvic discomfort and, if rupture occurs, massive intraperitoneal hemorrhage. In nonpregnant women, these cysts may cause delayed menses, followed by prolonged or irregular bleeding. Polycystic ovarian disease may also produce secondary amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, or infertility.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Typically, symptoms vary with the size of the tumor. Occasionally, in the early stages, ovarian cancer causes vague abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia, and other mild GI disturbances. As it progresses, it causes urinary frequency, constipation, pelvic discomfort, abdominal distention, and weight loss.
Tumor rupture, torsion, or infection may cause pain, which, in young patients, may mimic appendicitis. Granulosa cell tumors have feminizing effects (such as bleeding between periods in premenopausal women); conversely, arrhenoblastomas have virilizing effects. Advanced ovarian cancer causes ascites, rarely postmenopausal bleeding and pain, and symptoms relating to metastatic sites (most commonly pleural effusions).
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Small ovarian cysts (such as follicular cysts) usually don’t produce symptoms unless torsion or rupture causes signs of an acute abdomen (abdominal tenderness, distention, and rigidity). Large or multiple cysts may induce mild pelvic discomfort, low back pain, dyspareunia, or abnormal uterine bleeding secondary to a disturbed ovulatory pattern. Ovarian cysts with torsion induce acute abdominal pain similar to that of appendicitis.
Granulosa-lutein cysts that appear early in pregnancy may grow as large as 2" to 2½" (5 to 6 cm) in diameter and produce unilateral pelvic discomfort and, if rupture occurs, massive intraperitoneal hemorrhage. In nonpregnant women, these cysts may cause delayed menses, followed by prolonged or irregular bleeding. Polycystic ovarian disease may also produce secondary amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, or infertility.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Most cysts are small and do not cause symptoms. Some cysts might cause a dull ache in the abdomen because they are twisted, bleeding, or have burst; others might cause pain during sexual intercourse. (Source: excerpt from Ovarian Cysts: NWHIC)
Many women may have functional cysts or benign cystic tumors without having any symptoms. Sometimes, though, a cyst will swell large enough to cause pressure or pain in the abdomen. The cysts also may put pressure on the urinary tract and cause problems with urine flow. Some women may have pain during sexual intercourse. Although it is rare, it is possible for a very large cyst to become twisted, stopping its own supply of blood. This can cause nausea, fever, and severe abdominal pain. In women with endometriosis, ovarian cysts can cause the commonly felt symptoms of pelvic pain, painful menstrual periods, abnormal bleeding and painful sexual intercourse. (Source: excerpt from Ovarian Cysts: NWHIC)
When considering symptoms of Ovarian cysts, it is also important to consider Ovarian cysts as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Ovarian cysts may cause:
- (Source - Diseases Database)For a more detailed analysis of Ovarian cysts as a symptom, including causes, drug side effect causes, and drug interaction causes, please see our Symptom Center information for Ovarian cysts.
These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Ovarian cysts. This signs and symptoms information for Ovarian cysts has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Ovarian cysts signs or Ovarian cysts symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Ovarian cysts may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Ovarian cysts symptoms.
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