Causes of an Ovarian Cyst
The most common cause of ovarian cyst is ovulation. Other causes include:
- Abnormal cell reproduction: Atypical cell reproduction can cause cysts like cystadenomas and dermoids to form.
- Endometriosis: These cysts often form on the ovary in the advanced stages of endometriosis.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Infection in your pelvic if serious can spread to your ovaries, causing cysts. [1]
Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts
If the cysts are small, you might not experience any symptoms. Some smaller cysts cause no symptoms. In these cases, you may not know you have a cyst. Larger cyst may cause:
- Pain in the pelvic or back
- A feeling of fullness (bloating) located in your lower belly that may feel more pronounced on one side of your body
- Painful periods
- Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
Symptoms that linger could indicate a condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [2]. PCOS is a condition that causes irregular periods and other hormone-related problems, including infertility and obesity. Other symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome include hirsutism (increased growth of body hair) and difficulty losing weight.