What Happens When An Ovarian Cyst Bursts

There is always a chance that an ovarian cyst could burst. This is the worst case scenario for an ovarian cyst and is a cause of concern for women. This article will discuss what happens when an ovarian cyst bursts.

Upon the bursting of an ovarian cyst, a woman will experience severe pain usually radiating from the lower abdomen and pelvic area. The level and intensity of the pain can vary from individual to individual depending on what happens when the cyst bursts. Such factors include, but are not limited to the following: Was the cyst infected? Was there any bleeding? What did the cyst contain?

Any individual who feels the pain that occurs from a burst ovarian cyst may need to go straight to the emergency room so it can be cared for properly. The peritoneum, or lining of the peritoneal cavity, becomes irritated, which causes this acute pain in the abdomen. The contents of the cyst can irritate the peritoneum, as can blood. A woman with ovarian cysts can also experience pain, either directly or indirectly, due to inflammation caused by a higher concentration of prostaglandins.

Unlike what happens when an ovarian cysts bursts, when a regular follicle ruptures and releases an egg under the normal menstruation pattern, women usually experience no pain. This causes some to draw comparisons between the normal release of the egg and the bursting of an ovarian cyst. However, when a follicle ruptures, it causes very little bleeding because it is so small. Ovarian cysts can reach between 5 cm to 10 cm in diameter.

The peritoneum is tender and sensitive because it contains so many nerve endings. Just ten ml of blood is sufficient to irritate it. What happens when an ovarian cyst bursts is that the fluid inside is released and can affect surrounding blood vessels and can cause bleeding into the peritoneum. This bleeding can cause intense pain in women with ovarian cysts.

The normal outcome of an ovarian cyst is that it resolves by itself and does not actually burst. If it does not burst, the fluid is reabsorbed which causes the cyst to be reduced and eventually collapse on itself. Thus you can expect a cyst to simply disappear after a few menstrual cycles have passed.

Of course women should be concerned about ovarian cysts because of the consequences should one burst. Although the pain can be intense, it is important to note that it is not life threatening. Should you suspect that an ovarian cyst has burst however, it is equally important that you seek medical help or go to a hospital.