What Does Ovarian Cyst Pain Feel Like? Symptoms and Treatments, According to Doctors

glamour.com:

on a monthly basis, the trials and tribulations of , and the never-ending (and exhausting) fight for bodily autonomy, but we also have to wonder things like, “What does ovarian cyst pain feel like?”While it bears an intimidating connotation, medical experts say there’s actually no one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with ovarian cysts—some may not even need to be treated at all. (As always, talk to your doctor about a plan first.)Ahead, we break down some of the most frequently asked questions about ovarian cyst symptoms, causes, and treatment options, with help from licensed medical professionals.Let’s take a closer look at what an ovarian cyst actually is: Simply put, they are fluid-filled sacs found in an ovary or on its surface.

The most common type—follicular or functional cysts—often develop due to hormonal changes, such as ovulation or menopause. They're the result of an overgrown follicle—its purpose being to grow and store one egg per ovulation cycle—that fails to release an egg every month.

They are so common, it is  that about 10 out of 100 women have ovarian cysts.“They are usually found incidentally during a pelvic exam or ultrasound, but could also be found due to patient complaints of pain that is either acute or intermittent,” says Kristin DiGregorio, M.S., D.O., F.A.C.O.G., a physician at 1060 Obstetrics & Gynecology in New York City. “Most often they are able to be managed expectantly [without treatment], but if there is pain involved they can be more serious.” The good news is that doctors say ovarian cysts are typically harmless, with most going away or “bursting” on their own in a matter of a few weeks or months.