Cysts in the ovaries are fluid-filled sacs that may develop in or around the ovaries. They’re very common, and they usually appear around the time of ovulation. The majority of simple ovarian cysts go away on their own. While many ovarian cysts are symptom-free, larger cysts can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain. Pain in the lower back can also occur in some cases.
Please continue reading to learn more about ovarian cysts and back pain, what causes cysts, and how to treat them.
Are Fibroids Common?
Ovarian cysts can be of various sizes and shapes. A woman’s usual menstrual cycle causes most of them, in which ovarian follicles continue to grow rather than release eggs during ovulation. Being pregnant, having endometriosis, or having hormonal problems that affect ovulation can put a woman at risk for ovarian cysts.
The good news is that the majority of ovarian cysts go away on their own. Even so, many ovarian cysts appear and disappear without having any noticeable symptoms. Self-care measures such as using a heating pad to relieve back pain and taking a soothing Epsom salt bath can help relieve some pain in symptomatic cases.
What Is The Relationship Between Back Pain and Ovarian Cysts?
Women usually feel the pain from an ovarian cyst in the lower abdomen. Although it varies from person to person, this type of pain is typical:
- Feels dull
- mild in intensity
- May come and go
An ovarian cyst can cause lower back pain in some people. In a 2019 study, 400 people with lower back pain had their MRI images analyzed. Of the 90 patients with pain caused by the spine, 40 (44.5%) had ovarian results.
The pain from an ovarian cyst in the lower back is usually dull and achy. A cyst can rupture or burst at any time. You may experience sharper, more severe pain as a result of this.
Other symptoms that may suggest that an ovarian cyst is the source of unexplained lower back pain include:
- In the pelvis, a state of fullness or pressure
- Bloating or bleeding of the lower abdomen
- Painful or irregular periods
- Spotting between periods
- Pain during sex or when urinating
- Constipation
- The need to urinate more frequently
What Is The Origin Of An Ovarian Cyst?
The causes of various types of ovarian cysts vary. A functional cyst is the most common form of ovarian cyst. Functional ovarian cysts occur only in women who have begun their menstrual cycles but have not reached menopause. Scientists classified functional cysts into two types:
Follicular cyst. A follicular cyst is a type of cyst that grows when an egg is not released. It continues to grow inside the ovary.
Corpus luteum cyst. When the sac around the egg does not dissolve after the egg is released, this type of cyst occurs.
Cysts come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and a variety of reasons can cause them:
Endometrioma. This cyst is filled with old blood and tissue that resembles the uterus. Because of the dark color of the fluid inside them, people often refer to them as chocolate cysts. They can occur in women who have endometriosis.
A dermoid. Ovarian cells and eggs develop this cyst. They may contain hair, skin, teeth, bone, or fat. Women of childbearing age are more prone to developing these cysts.
The Following Factors Can Also Cause Cysts:
- PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), a disorder characterized by multiple cysts on the ovaries
- Pregnancy
- Chlamydia, a severe pelvic infection. This type of cyst is known as an abscess
- Noncancerous tumors
- Cancer (rare)
How Is An Ovarian Cyst Diagnosed?
Your primary care physician, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) doctor, or a licensed nurse-midwife can diagnose the disorder.
Your healthcare practitioner will inquire about your medical history and symptoms. He may run a physical examination on you. This will almost certainly involve a pelvic exam. Your healthcare provider can feel swelling on your ovary during the pelvic exam. This is often the first sign of a cyst in women who have no symptoms.
If your doctor suspects you have an ovarian cyst, you may need to do some tests. These will help your doctor in determining the type of cyst. Tests may find out other issues, such as ectopic pregnancy. Your doctor may perform the following tests:
- Ultrasound. Sound waves are used in this test is to determine the scale, shape, and position of the cyst. The test may also determine if the growth is solid or fluid-filled.
- MRI. This method employs large magnets and a computer to create a detailed picture of the region.
- A pregnancy test. Doctors perform this to see if pregnancy caused the cyst.
- Blood tests. These screen for hormone imbalances and cancer. They even look to see if the cyst is bleeding.
- A biopsy. This is a test where a small piece of the ovary is taken. A lab examines the piece for cancer cells. If an ultrasound shows a specific type of ovarian development, doctors may perform this procedure. If cancer is suspected, an ovary biopsy is usually not performed.
What Is The Treatment For An Ovarian Cyst?
The type of cyst, age, and general health will affect how doctors treat you for an ovarian cyst. The majority of women will not require treatment.
Your doctor may advise you to monitor the symptoms over time. An ovarian cyst will usually go away on its own in a few weeks or months if no treatment is provided.
In some cases, you sometimes need additional ultrasound tests. Doctors use these to determine whether or not your cyst has disappeared or is no longer growing. You may not need any additional treatment.
If your ultrasound or blood tests show signs of cancer, your doctor can recommend surgery. This procedure is used to extract a part or all of your ovary.
Your Doctor May Recommend Surgery If:
- The cyst seems to be expanding
- You have a big cyst on your body
- You have endometriosis and want the cyst dissolved to help you conceive.
- The cyst is causing excessive discomfort or strain
What Are Those Home Remedies For Ovarian Cyst-related Back Pain?
If you have mild lower back pain, you can ease it at home by doing the following:
OTC (over-the-counter) medications. Over-the-counter pain medications can help. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen are examples (Aleve).
Heat. The use of a heating pad on the affected area can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
Stretching. Gentle stretching is also beneficial for back pain. Ask your doctor about the types of stretches that are appropriate. Avoid motions or activities that worsen the back pain.
If an ovarian cyst causes your lower back pain, the methods listed above can help relieve pain and not help the cyst dissolve. Make an appointment with your doctor if you think you have an ovarian cyst.
The Bottom Line
Ovarian cysts sometimes do not cause symptoms and disappear on their own without treatment. When symptoms appear, they may include lower abdominal or back pain.
When an ovarian cyst grows large enough, it may strain the organs and tissues surrounding it, causing pain. Lower back pain caused by a cyst is often dull and achy.
Lower back pain caused by an ovarian cyst can be treated at home with over-the-counter pain relievers, a heating pad, and gentle stretching. While these remedies can relieve pain, they will not help in the removal of the cyst.
For smaller cysts, watchful waiting is usually recommended. However, if the cyst is large or causing severe symptoms, surgical removal is often needed. Consult the doctor if you have lower back pain and other ovarian cyst symptoms.
