Hemorrhagic cysts, or blood cysts, form in the ovaries during the menstrual cycle and can cause pain. Monitoring can prevent complications, and surgery may be necessary for ruptured or large cysts. Keyhole surgery is a common procedure for removing cysts.
Hemorrhagic cysts occur when small blood vessels in the wall of an existing cyst break open and fill the cyst with blood. Most of these types of cysts, also called blood cysts, form in the female ovaries, usually during the menstrual cycle. Ovarian cysts usually form when fluid builds up around an egg, when an egg is formed improperly, or when the egg doesn’t release.
A typical cyst is a membranous sac filled with fluid or tissue. Many cysts are harmless and are sometimes noticeable as firm or spongy lumps under the skin. Most hemorrhagic cysts form and recede naturally over a few menstrual cycles without any physical signs, although patients with ovarian cysts often experience pain near the location of the cyst. As the cyst fills with blood, it causes the wall of the ovary to stretch rapidly, causing mild pain on the right or left side of the abdomen.
If a cyst is discovered, monitoring it can help prevent possible infection, bleeding, cancer, or tumors, especially if there’s a family history of such conditions. Ice packs, hot water bottles, and pain relievers can temporarily ease the pain of bleeding cysts until they heal. For more severe pain and swelling, doctors can often prescribe additional medications. Bloating often subsides naturally over the course of the menstrual cycle. If a cyst ruptures, it often heals virtually unnoticed.
When the cysts rupture, the blood that fills them is released into the abdomen. This causes a burning sensation in the abdominal area. Additional body fluids released from the ruptured cysts can cause mild to severe infections. If, after your period, abdominal pain persists or increases to the point where it is difficult to carry out daily activities, you may need to see a doctor.
Normal hemorrhagic cysts don’t require surgery, but doctors may need to perform surgery to remove or repair ruptured hemorrhagic cysts. The most common surgical procedure is called keyhole surgery. This procedure involves a few small incisions in your abdomen and stomach, which allow your doctor to use a small camera and surgical tools to find and remove the cyst. Keyhole surgery reduces blood loss and minimizes the pain of the incisions.
Overly large cysts, while rare, usually require more invasive methods. Surgery is also needed if blood flow from the ruptured cyst persists, rather than clotting and allowing the ruptured tissue to heal. Recovery time for more complex surgeries is usually longer than for less invasive surgeries.
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