Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluid located on or inside the ovary, and although some cysts are harmless and unnoticeable, others can trigger pain during sexual intercourse or while exercising. Ovarian cysts are quite common and most of them require little or no treatment, clearing up by themselves. Vigorous activity can twist cysts, causing them to rupture, leading to severe abdominal pain, fever and vomiting. These type of symptoms should not be ignored and require immediate medical attention.
Follicular Cyst
The National Woman's Health Information Center explains that there are different forms of ovarian cysts, adding that the most common are functional cysts, which form during the menstrual cycle. Follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts are both variations of functional cysts. During ovulation, a mature egg is released through the follicle for fertilization. Follicles are little sacs that break open allowing the egg to be released. The follicle then dissolves into corpus luteum, a hormone needed for the preparation of the following egg. Follicular cysts form when the sac fails to break open. These cysts generally self-disintegrate within three months.
Corpus Luteum Cyst
A corpus luteum cyst is the result of a sac not dissolving after the egg is released. Instead the follicle closes, filling up with a mixture of fluid and blood. Corpus luteum cysts can grow to be 4 inches in diameter. They can twist and rupture while performing exercises that target the abdominal region, or during sexual intercourse, causing you to experience loss of blood, discharge and severe pain. Corpus luteum cysts can be caused by fertility and ovulation-inducing drugs. Polycystic ovaries, dermoids, endometriomas and cystadenomas are other types of ovarian cysts, all having the potential to cause severe pain and complications within the reproductive system.
Risk Factors
You are more susceptible to developing ovarian cysts during childbearing stages right up until menopause. Fertility drugs also carry the risk of the development of ovarian hyper stimulation, a condition where large and numerous cysts develop on the ovaries. MedlinePlus explains that these cysts usually disintegrate following pregnancy or menstruation.
Symptoms
Ovarian cysts can go unnoticed for long periods, causing very few symptoms, although when they are large you may feel pressure around your pelvic region and experience urinary issues and changes in bowel movement patterns, a result of the cysts pressing against your bladder and intestinal bowels. Exercising can lead to a ruptured or twisted cyst, causing extreme pain and inflammation in your entire lower abdominal region or the left or right side and abnormal uterine bleeding. Pain in your lower back region during intercourse or exercise, weight gain, breast tenderness, painful periods and nausea or vomiting can all signal ovarian cysts. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms along with rapid breathing, fainting or dizzy spells.
Prevention and Management
Regular pelvic examinations will help your health care practitioner screen for ovarian cysts and monitor existing cysts to safeguard against the development of serious health complications. Your doctor may suggest you take contraceptive pills to prevent cysts from forming, as they stop ovulation from occurring. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be used to restore balance of chi, preventing the formation of ovarian cysts through a more natural approach. In traditional Chinese medicine, ovarian cysts are thought to be caused by liver chi stagnation, resulting from improper or unexpressed anger. Liver Chi stagnation, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Page website explains, leads to blood stagnation and a wide range of menstrual problems.
