What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?

The majority of ovarian cysts are asymptomatic. Larger ovarian cysts may twist or rupture, resulting in acute abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Patients with endometriotic cysts may present with painful menses (dysmenorrhoea) and intercourse (dyspareunia).

Other symptoms include:

• menstrual irregularities
• bloatedness
• lower abdominal discomfort
  
• loss of appetite or weight
• passing urine more frequently or change in bowel habit (constipation or diarrhoea) due to compression from the cyst

As ovarian cancer tends to develop insidiously with vague symptoms, the above symptoms should not be ignored, especially if they are new or experienced on a frequent basis.