Anyone is susceptible to ovarian cysts, and they're not entirely uncommon, but oftentimes, the symptoms are invalidated [1] or difficult to recognize — even for celebrities. This is a phenomenon Miley Cyrus [2] is familiar with, having dealt with an ovarian cyst herself that would go on to rupture. In a May 21 episode of "The Zane Lowe Show [3]," the music mogul explains about how her cyst ruptured mere days before hosting "Miley's New Year's Eve Party" in 2022 alongside Dolly Parton.
"I had a medical emergency — I had an ovarian cyst rupture," she told Lowe. "We didn't know exactly what was going on," she said. "It was pretty traumatic because it was extremely excruciating and I did the show anyway, but it was really really hard on me." Unfortunately, she's not alone in this experience.
Ahead, we spoke to experts about what an ovarian cyst really feels like and how to tell if you might be dealing with one yourself. That way, you can take appropriate medical action well in advance (and avoid performing with a ruptured cyst at all costs). Read on to get the facts.
Experts Featured in This Article:
Nita Landry [4], MD, is a board-certified ob-gyn, physician, and media professional.
Sophia Yen [5], MD, MPH, is a clinical associate professor of pediatrics and adolescent medicine at Stanford, and the co-founder of birth control delivery company Pandia Health.
Ovarian Cyst Symptoms
"Most ovarian cysts are harmless, exhibit no symptoms, and go away on their own," says ob-gyn Nita Landry, MD. "However, some women can experience symptoms, particularly with larger cysts." Part of what makes cysts so difficult to identify is this wide range of symptoms. These might include:
- Pain: Although some might not experience any pain at all, this is among the more common symptoms. Sophia Yen, MD, MPH, a clinical associate professor at Stanford, describes the pain as "a light pressure or heaviness on one side or both sides of [the] lower abdomen, whichever side(s) the cysts are on." Because the ovaries are located in the lower abdomen, you might also feel sharper pain around your belly button and pelvis. Lower-back pain is another common symptom of a large ovarian cyst.
- Bloating: Unusual or uncomfortable bloating [6] may be another indicator of an ovarian cyst. "When a cyst is large enough, it can take up space in the abdomen and push on surrounding organs. This can cause abdominal swelling or bloating," Dr. Landry says.
- GI Issues: What might present as stomach issues could actually prove to be symptoms of an ovarian cyst. "Due to the size of the cyst, some [people] could also experience indigestion," Dr. Landry says.
- Urinary Problems: If you're feeling a strong need to pee every five minutes, there could be something deeper going on. According to Dr. Landry, larger ovarian cysts can lead to "urgency in urination, difficulty in fully emptying the bladder, [and an] urge to defecate."
Signs of a Ruptured Ovarian Cyst
As in Cyrus's case, sometimes ovarian cysts burst, especially if left untreated. In these instances,it's imperative to see a doctor as soon as possible. "Not all burst cysts exhibit symptoms, but if you are experiencing severe pelvic pain accompanied by fever, dizziness, and rapid breathing, you should seek immediate medical attention," Dr. Landry says. In some cases, your doctor might also perform a periodic pelvic ultrasound to further monitor your ovarian cyst.
"Rarely, a cyst may be malignant," Dr. Landry adds. "Surgery might be recommended if your cyst is very large, causes symptoms, or is suspicious for cancer." At the very least, seek medical attention, rest, and if you do have a New Year's special on the books, do your very best to reschedule.
— Additional reporting by Chandler Plante
Chandler Plante [8] (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.
Aly Walansky [9] is a lifestyle writer based in New York.