Ovarian cysts commonly affect women during their reproductive years. While some ovarian cysts go unnoticed, others may cause a range of symptoms, including mild discomfort to severe pain. In some instances, increasing your level of activity or participating in exercise may intensify the pain or contribute to an increased risk of complications.
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts form for a variety of reasons and many women experience this condition. Corpus luteum cysts often contain blood and typically form after an ovary releases an egg. A follicular cyst is a pocket of fluid that accumulates when an ovary follicle fails to release an egg. Hormone imbalances can cause functional ovarian cysts and may play a role in polycystic ovary disease. Fertility drugs sometimes over stimulate the ovaries and lead to the formation of several cysts at one time. Ovarian cysts often go away without treatment.
Symptoms
Symptoms don't always accompany the presence of ovarian cysts, although sometimes a cyst may cause a late period or pelvic pain. Pain from this condition usually occurs around the beginning of a menstrual period, during intercourse or during a bowel movement. The cyst can cause a dull ache in the pelvis, as well as swelling in the lower abdomen. Some cysts can disrupt the menstrual period and cause bleeding or spotting between periods.
Exercise Risks
Although mild exercise may help promote optimal health, intense exercise can cause an ovarian cyst to rupture or increase the likelihood of ovarian torsion, a condition that occurs when the ovary twists within the pelvic cavity, sometimes cutting off the flow of blood to the ovary. Complications can cause a cyst to break open and bleed. Sudden and severe pain can indicate the presence of ovarian torsion.
Precautions
Consult your health care practitioner if you think you may have an ovarian cyst. Although this is a common condition during the childbearing years, ovarian cysts may increase your risk of certain complications, such as kidney failure, blood clots and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. A sudden increase in pain during exercise also requires a visit to the doctor to rule out the possibility of a ruptured cyst or ovarian torsion.
