Where it's felt and what it feels like
Ovarian cyst pain is usually felt low down on one side of the pelvis or lower abdomen — the side the cyst is on. It can feel like a dull ache, heaviness or pressure, or a sharper twinge, and it may come and go. Some women notice it more around their period, during sex, or when moving in certain ways.
Many cysts cause no pain at all and are found by chance on a scan. So an absence of pain doesn't rule a cyst out, and mild one-sided pain doesn't necessarily mean something serious.
Other symptoms
Besides pain, cysts can sometimes cause bloating or a feeling of fullness, needing to wee more often, a change in your periods, or discomfort during sex. Larger cysts are more likely to cause a sense of pressure or swelling in the lower abdomen.
These symptoms overlap with lots of other common conditions, which is why a scan is the way to know what's actually going on.
The pain that needs urgent care
Sudden, severe, sharp pelvic pain — especially with nausea, vomiting, fever, or feeling faint — needs urgent assessment. This can be a sign that a cyst has ruptured or twisted the ovary (torsion), which is a medical emergency. Call 000 or go to an emergency department.
For ongoing or recurrent one-sided pelvic pain that isn't an emergency, it's worth getting checked. A telehealth consult can assess your symptoms and arrange an ultrasound to look for a cyst.
References & sources
This content is general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice. Please consult a GP for your personal situation.
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