In some cases, a ruptured cyst can cause more severe symptoms. These can include severe pain in the lower belly and bleeding. Symptoms like these need treatment right away. You may need care in the hospital if you have severe symptoms from a ruptured cyst.
If the cyst bleeds, it is called a hemorrhagic (say "heh-muh-RA-jick") ovarian cyst. If a hemorrhagic cyst breaks open, it can release blood and fluid into the lower belly and pelvis. You may not have symptoms from the cyst. But if it is large, or if it twists or breaks open, you may have pain or other problems.
If an infected cyst ruptures, it can trigger sepsis, a life-threatening immune response to harmful bacteria. Women with infected cysts are treated with antibiotics and sometimes require hospitalization for surgical drainage of the cyst.
Sometimes, bleeding occurs into these cysts (this is called a haemorrhagic cyst). In some cases, the cysts are cancerous.
A ruptured ovarian cyst may trigger sudden pain or discomfort in your low back or belly, especially on the side where the cyst burst. The pain may be sharp or feel like a continuous dull pressure, and the severity can vary significantly based on many factors, including the size of the cyst.
Sometimes a cyst will rupture, causing a sudden, sharp pain. A brownish vaginal discharge may occur.
Most of the time, these cysts are benign. They do not mean a cancer diagnosis, and some may even resolve on their own. Others are linked to different conditions, such as PCOS. But there is a risk of ovarian cancer associated with these 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).
Wash the lump and surrounding skin well with soap. Apply warm, wet face cloths to the lump for 20 to 30 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. If you prefer, you can also use a hot water bottle or heating pad over a damp towel. Be careful not to burn your skin.
Occasionally, cysts can rupture, or break open, causing heavy bleeding or severe pain. If you have any of the following symptoms of a ruptured cyst, head to the ER right away: Pain with vomiting and fever. Severe abdominal pain that comes on suddenly.
In some cases, a ruptured cyst can cause more severe symptoms. These can include severe pain in the lower belly and bleeding. Symptoms like these need treatment right away. You may need care in the hospital if you have severe symptoms from a ruptured cyst.
Ovarian stromal tumors
The most common symptom of these tumors is abnormal vaginal bleeding. This happens because many of these tumors produce female hormones (estrogen). These hormones can cause vaginal bleeding (like a period) to start again after menopause.
It may burst because there is simply no more room for the pocket to grow. Or, it may be bumped or broken and consequently ruptures. Once a sebaceous cyst ruptures under the skin, it will become hot, drain smelly material, and then it needs to be lanced.
Since cysts can be filled with everything from blood to inflamed skin cells, cyst drainage is only required if there is liquid present.
If you have pelvic pain with fever, nausea, and vomiting, it could be a sign you have an infection associated with the cyst. An infection deserves immediate medical attention. Cysts can also rupture or twist — a condition called torsion.
Ultrasound imaging can help determine the composition of lumps, distinguishing between a cyst and a tumour. Also known as sonography, it involves the use of high-frequency, real-time sound waves to create an image.
Brown discharge may be a sign of implantation bleeding. This occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. As it does, it creates a small amount of bleeding. You might notice implantation bleeding as brown discharge when wiping after urination.
Fever. This is a sign that you may have an infection of an ovarian cyst. Dizziness. This can indicate there's a lot of bleeding in your belly.
Do not be tempted to burst the cyst. If it's infected, you risk spreading the infection, and it can grow back if the sac is left underneath the skin.
Most of the time, you have little or no discomfort, and the cysts are harmless. 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.