It's important to be aware of any warning signs that you could have a cyst on one of your ovaries. If you become aware of anything out of the ordinary, you'll want to book an appointment to see your local gynecologist so that you can discuss what you've noticed and have them assess you. While ovarian cysts don't always present any symptoms — which is one of the reasons that you should visit a gynecologist regularly for checkups — certain changes can become apparent to you and may be a cause for concern.
Period Changes
Changes in your periods can occur for a number of different reasons, but the presence of an ovarian cyst can often be a culprit. A cyst may cause multiple changes in your periods. They may be noticeably heavier or lighter, for example. For some people, the periods can become irregular — which is something that will stand out if your periods have a history of being regular. While you might be inclined to ignore the issue and see if your periods return to normal, it's always a good idea to visit your gynecologist to see if an ovarian cyst may be to blame for these changes.
Unexplained Pain
An ovarian cyst may also cause you to experience varying degrees of unexplained pain. The pain may come and go, or it may remain steady. The exact position of the pain can vary based on which ovary has a cyst on it, but a lot of people experience back pain when they have this condition. It can be easy to temporarily dismiss back pain by thinking that you slept awkwardly or strained your back while working out, but if the pain persists and you can't identify a likely reason for it, you'll want to visit your gynecologist.
Bloating
Another warning sign that you could potentially have an ovarian cyst is that you experience abdominal bloating. While there are all sorts of things that can also cause this symptom, you can sometimes identify a likely cause. For example, if you've been constipated lately, you may be contending with this bloating. If you don't have a good idea of what might be causing it, and you don't have much of a history of bloating, there's a chance that an ovarian cyst could be to blame. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, try to schedule an appointment with your gynecologist promptly.
For more information on gynecology services, contact a professional near you.
About a year ago, we began noticing some changes in my wife. At first we just thought she had the run-of-the-mill stomach flu, but after carefully considering her condition, we realized that there was a chance she could be pregnant. We stopped everything and sought immediate medical care for her, and within a few hours we discovered that she was carrying our first child. It was both magical and terrifying, and the first few months were especially grueling for our entire family. I wanted to start a blog completely dedicated to getting excellent medical care, especially during pregnancy and childbirth.