Enlarged Ovary Pain

Causes Of An Enlarged Ovary

Ovary pain commonly results when a woman's ovary becomes enlarged for one of the reasons described below. Enlarged ovary pain can range from mild to severe in intensity, depending on the cause. Generally speaking, pain begins with a feeling of abnormal pressure in the pelvic area. Sharp pain that comes on suddenly may occur during mid cycle (also known as Mittelschmerz).

In most cases, this pain decreases and then disappears in a few hours, and is probably the result of ovulation. When the egg ejects from the follicle, fluid may migrate to the lining of the abdomen, causing blood vessels in the area to swell.

A condition called ovarian torsion can cause such severe pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Ovarian torsion Ovarian torsion occurs when the ovary rotates or twists in a way that obstructs blood flow. ovarian torsion is the fifth most common gynecologic surgical emergency accounting for almost 3 percent of cases of acute gynecologic complaints.

Causes of an enlarged ovary There are dozens of other possible causes of an enlarged ovary. Here are some of the most common.

Ovarian cysts - ovarian cysts are small sacs filled with a harmless fluid. These are generally painless, but when they appear, they can make an ovary look enlarged. These cysts resembles a bubble when seen in an ultrasound scan. There are many different types of ovarian cysts, which are covered in more detail elsewhere on this website. Click on ovarian cysts. Also see polycystic ovarian disease, below.

Polycystic ovarian disease - This is also called polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS. It occurs in 5-10 percent of women of childbearing age, and is therefore one of the most common female hormonal disorders. PCOS is believed to be of the leading causes of infertility. It occurs when occurs cysts begin to grow on an ovary. The cause of PCOS is unclear.

Endometrioma - This is another type of ovarian cyst that causes an enlarged ovary. An endometrioma is an ovarian cyst caused by endometriosis. Or, it could be a tumor containing endometrial tissue.

Ovarian cancer - An enlarged ovary is a symptom of ovarian cancer. It is often detected during a routine physical examination, since symptoms of ovarian cancer usually don't appear in the early stages of the disease.

Fibromas - These are benign tumors made up of fibrous or connective tissue. They can grow in all organs, but when they occur in the ovaries, they can cause enlargement.

Tubo-ovarian abscess - A tubo-ovarian abscess is an infection in either the ovary or fallopian tube, which can result in an enlarged ovary. It's usually accompanied by pus and triggers symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease, including abdomen pain. A fever is typical with this condition. It is usually treated with antibiotics, although surgery is necessary in some cases.

The infection is usually accompanied by fever, and the patient will appear ill. Treatment is generally with antibiotics. In some, surgery may be required to remove the pus.

Part of the ovary enlarges each month as an egg matures. This is normal. However, any pain that's not typical during a woman's menstrual cycle should be regarded with caution. Talk to your doctor. He or she will probably want to do a pelvic exam and imaging tests to determine the cause of your discomfort. Blood tests may also be in order.

Treatment of an enlarged ovary depends on the cause. In many cases, simple pain medications like NSAIDs may be helpful.