Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for pain in your lower belly. The doctors think the pain is due to an ovarian cyst.
You were born with 2 ovaries, 1 on each side of your uterus. An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac on or in an ovary. Sometimes, the cyst is filled with blood. This is called a "hemorrhagic" cyst. The cyst can sometimes cause pain or pressure in the belly.
Most of the time, the cyst will go away on its own. Sometimes, it can break open, or "rupture." This can be very painful, but it usually gets better on its own over a few days. Rarely, it can cause bleeding that needs treatment with surgery. Surgery might also be needed if the cyst is very large.
A very large cyst can cause the ovary to get twisted. This causes the pain to suddenly become much worse and make you feel very nauseous or vomit. This needs treatment with surgery. It can be very hard to tell just from symptoms if the ovary has twisted or if a cyst has ruptured.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
•Depending on the size and appearance of the cyst, you might need to follow up with a gynecologist to make sure you do not have a more serious condition.
•If you have frequent, painful cysts, your doctor might suggest medicine to prevent them from coming back.
●Use heat to help with pain if needed. You can put a heating pad on your lower belly, for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on, since this can cause burns.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain if needed, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if:
•You have worsening or severe pain in your lower belly that does not go away.
•You have belly pain that makes you double over, or makes it hard for you to walk.
•Your pain is so severe you vomit or feel like you might vomit.
•You feel very weak, get lightheaded when you stand up, or pass out.
•You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you:
●Have pain when you urinate
●Think you might be pregnant
●Have pain with sex
●Miss a period, or have bleeding between periods
●Have new or worsening symptoms or symptoms that do not go away
