Ovarian cysts are common among women of all ages. The good news is that in most cases they are functional cysts, which means that they are harmless and will shrink and go away on their own. Regardless, there is still the possibility of developing malignant cysts which can cause cancer, which is why it’s so important that all women know how to recognize the symptoms of ovarian cyst. When the cysts are considered to be unsafe, proper treatment must be used to remove them.

Women have to be cautious when watching for the symptoms of ovarian cyst, mainly because they’re so general and easy to confuse with other problems. Most women tend to assume that the symptoms they’re experiencing are just a result of their menstrual cycle when really they could have cysts growing larger inside them. Pain in the pelvic area is one of the most common symptoms that women with cysts complain of, and often mistake as cramping as a result of the start of their period. The pain experienced, if caused by a cyst, is important to recognize because it may mean the cyst has grown quite large in size or that it has caused a twisting of the ovary.

When the ovary becomes twisted, it can cut off the blood supply which can be extremely dangerous. Typically surgery is required immediately, in order to remove the blockage and prevent the ovary from any permanent damage. Another of the symptoms of ovarian cyst you may exhibit is vaginal spotting. Again, this is a symptom easily confusable with the onset of a woman’s menstrual cycle.

For women who find that they’re usually regular and are now spotting at random times throughout the month, this may be a clear sign that cysts have developed and they need to get checked out. There are also other symptoms of ovarian cyst to watch for including breast tenderness, nausea and vomiting. Many women actually think they may be pregnant when they start experiencing these symptoms, as they are also commonly associated with pregnancy. A doctor will use a sonogram in order to determine whether cysts are the problem at play and if so, how many there are and whether they’re considered as being unsafe.

Just remember that it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry. Any woman with just a sneaking suspicion that something wrong is at play should get in to see her doctor right away. Ovarian cysts are one of the main causes of ovarian cancer, which kills hundreds of thousands of women around the world each year. Women know their body better than anyone and should always follow the symptoms they’re experiencing.