What happens when an ovarian cyst ruptures?

When an ovarian cyst ruptures, can it cause more harm to your eggs? Will it decrease chances of pregnancy even more?

Ruptured ovarian cysts, as any woman who has had one will tell you, can be incredibly painful. Many women have ovarian cysts without even knowing it, and often they just disappear themselves. But sometimes they continue to grow, and if left untreated, the walls of the cyst will get thinner, and eventually it may burst, or rupture.

It is unusual for the pain experienced from a ruptured ovarian cyst to be the first symptom a woman feels. Because the cyst is typically quite large before it ruptures, it usually causes a good deal of discomfort and pain.

Typical symptoms include:

- abdominal pain, particularly during the menstrual period

- irregular menstrual cycles

- feeling the need to urinate frequently (as the large cyst puts pressure on the bladder)

- sometimes difficulty urinating

- feeling of pressure or heaviness in the stomach

The symptoms of a ruptured ovarian cyst are very similar, but usually the pain is much more intense. It also usually comes very suddenly – a cyst rupturing is like a water balloon bursting, so the pain is sharp and sudden. Thankfully, the severe pain is usually quite short lived (typically ebbing within 24 hours), and the pressure is relieved from the ‘balloon’ on your ovary.

Mostly, after the rupture the ovary will heal itself, and there will be no further complications. But this is not always the case. The ovary can get infected, which if left untreated can have serious implications for your health and your ability to conceive.

Sometimes, the rupture can cause the ovary to twist, restricting blood flow and causing severe pain. The wound may be slow to heal, so increasing the chance of scar tissue forming. Again, this can affect fertility.

If you think your cyst might have ruptured, you should get medical attention right away. At the very least, you will probably need strong painkillers. If the intense pain does not subside after 24 hours, it is likely that the ovary has twisted or infection has set in. In this case, it is absolutely essential to get expert medical help.

Once the cyst has ruptured, it is gone. If you only had one cyst, the problems it caused prior to the rupture should end. However, it is unfortunately quite likely that the cyst will come back again. Unless you do something to change them, the underlying problems which caused the cyst are still present.

The natural holistic approach to treating and preventing ovarian cysts addresses these underlying causes. By getting your internal balance right, particularly through altering your diet and metabolism, you can get rid of your ovarian cysts for good – without drugs or surgery.

Good luck