What happens if an ovarian cyst ruptures?

Rupture of an ovarian cyst may cause symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, internal bleeding, and in severe cases, shock. The main effects of ovarian cyst rupture include severe abdominal pain, intra-abdominal bleeding, secondary infection, risk of shock, pelvic adhesions, etc.

1. Severe abdominal pain

After an ovarian cyst ruptures, cyst fluid or blood can irritate the peritoneum, causing sudden severe lower abdominal pain. The pain is mostly on the affected side and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Differences in the chemical properties of the cyst contents may affect the degree of pain, such as greater irritation from old blood after a chocolate cyst ruptures. The duration of abdominal pain can range from hours to days, depending on the size of the rupture and the amount of bleeding.

2. Intra-abdominal bleeding

Rupture of a corpus luteum cyst or a highly vascular cyst may result in intra-abdominal bleeding. A small amount of bleeding can be absorbed by itself. When the amount of bleeding exceeds 500 ml, blood loss symptoms such as increased heart rate and decreased blood pressure may occur. Patients with severe bleeding may have positive moving dullness and require emergency treatment to prevent hemorrhagic shock.

3. Secondary infection

Leakage of cyst contents may lead to pelvic infection, manifested by inflammatory reactions such as fever and elevated white blood cells. After the dermoid cyst ruptures, oil, hair and other substances will spill out, which is more likely to induce chemical peritonitis. If the infection is not controlled in time, it may progress to a pelvic abscess, which requires antibiotic treatment or even surgical drainage.

4. Risk of shock

Heavy bleeding or severe pain in a short period of time may trigger shock. Patients may appear pale, clammy limbs, and confusion. Shock is a critical illness and requires immediate fluid expansion and surgery to stop bleeding. People with pre-existing anemia or coagulopathy are at higher risk for shock.

5. Pelvic adhesions

Repeated cyst rupture or blood organization may lead to adhesions in the pelvic tissue. Adhesions can cause chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, or infertility. Pelvic hemorrhage and fibrin deposits need to be carefully cleared during surgery, and early postoperative mobilization can help reduce adhesion formation.

If you suspect that an ovarian cyst has ruptured, you should stay in bed immediately to avoid strenuous exercise that aggravates bleeding. You can try applying ice to the lower abdomen to relieve pain, but do not apply heat or take painkillers to cover up the condition. It is recommended to record changes in symptoms such as pain level, amount of vaginal bleeding, etc., and retain used sanitary napkins for medical staff to evaluate. After medical treatment, ultrasound, posterior fornix puncture and other examinations are required. Blood transfusion may be required when the amount of bleeding is large. During the postoperative recovery period, you should maintain a light diet, conduct regular re-examinations to evaluate ovarian function, and avoid heavy lifting or high-intensity exercise for 3-6 months.