Yes, ovarian cysts can definitely change your bowel movements, causing issues like constipation, diarrhea, or pain during bowel movements due to the cyst putting pressure on or irritating nearby intestines and organs. These changes, along with bloating and pelvic pain, are common symptoms, especially with larger cysts or conditions like endometriosis, and warrant a doctor's visit, according to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (via Medical News Today).
Feeling you need to urinate or pass a bowel movement if a cyst is putting pressure on your bladder or pressing on your bowel, respectively. Constipation can be another symptom of ovarian cysts.
What are the symptoms of an ovarian cyst?
If there are symptoms, the most common is pain or pressure in your lower belly on the side of the cyst. This pain may be dull or sharp, and it may come and go. A cyst that breaks open and bleeds may lead to sudden, sharp pain.
Bloating, diarrhea and abdominal pain are three of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer. They're also some of the easiest to overlook. Perhaps it's because they can also be signs of so many other conditions, including indigestion, a stomach virus, and even the cramps that can accompany a normal menstrual cycle.
Pain from an ovarian cyst can be mistaken for pain caused by other conditions, including appendicitis, endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), urinary tract infections (UTIs), ectopic pregnancy, fibroids and even ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer symptoms may include:
Symptoms of an ovarian cyst
Certain activities or movements might exacerbate ovarian cyst pain, especially if the cyst is large. You might feel the pain more acutely when: Exercising or engaging in physical activity, particularly movements that put pressure on the lower abdomen.
Most cysts go away without treatment within a few months. But sometimes ovarian cysts can become twisted or burst open (rupture). This can cause serious symptoms. To protect your health, get regular pelvic exams and know the symptoms that can signal what might be a serious problem.
A ruptured ovarian cyst may cause vaginal bleeding. This may result in pink or brown discharge.
If your cyst appears solid and you're at high risk of ovarian cancer, your provider might order a cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) test or other blood tests. CA 125 levels can also be elevated in noncancerous conditions, such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Signs & Symptoms of Polyps & Cysts
However, symptoms may include: Unexplained Abdominal Pain – Particularly with larger cysts or colon polyps. Changes in Bowel Habits – Persistent diarrhea, constipation, or rectal bleeding. Bloating & Digestive Discomfort – Common with ovarian or pancreatic cysts.
The 1-2-3 rule is a simple aide-mémoire describing the nomenclature of any small simple anechoic cystic appearing structure within an ovary on ultrasound: <1 cm = follicle. 1-2 cm = dominant follicle. >3 cm = cyst.
Narcotic analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used for pain relief in patients with ovarian cysts.
Most women who have ovarian cysts don't know that they have them. But some cysts cause dull pain in the lower abdomen (pelvic pain). Ovarian cysts can also lead to problems with the menstrual cycle, such as heavy or irregular periods, or spotting (abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods).
Larger ovarian cysts can cause you to need to urinate more frequently or have difficulty emptying your bladder. You might also feel pressure during bowel movements and have more trouble passing stools.
Both types of functional cysts typically resolve without treatment within 1-3 months as your hormones continue their natural cycle. Functional ovarian cysts generally grow quite quickly, reaching about 2-3 centimeters in diameter within days to weeks.
Gastrointestinal discomfort. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, bloating and stomachaches are also common. "If you think about your belly as a closed compartment, a cyst that's getting a little bit larger can press on and affect other things in that space," Dr. Kim says.
Most ovarian cysts don't cause any symptoms but if you do get symptoms, they may include pain or discomfort in your tummy (lower abdomen). This may be a constant pain or it may come and go. And it may be a sharp pain or a dull ache. Sex may also be painful.
These cysts occur when blood vessels within the cyst walls rupture, causing bleeding into the cyst. This process can lead to discomfort and pain, affecting a woman's overall well-being. The blood accumulated within the cyst can build pressure on surrounding tissues, potentially resulting in fatigue.
Whilst an ultrasound scan can detect potential signs of ovarian cancer, such as a mass, fluid build up or growth. It is not a definite answer. The only way to accurately detect ovarian cancer is to have a CA125 blood test and an ultrasound scan, followed by a biopsy for diagnosis.
Ovarian cysts can affect a woman of any age, most commonly during childbearing years. Women with ovarian cysts who are past menopause (age 50–70) have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Cysts that appear uniform after an ultrasound exam or a CT scan are almost always benign and should simply be watched. If the cyst has solid components, it may be benign or malignant and should have further evaluation. Often this is done with repeat imaging to see if the cyst grows over time.