Ovarian cyst rupture - consequences?

[Romy1985]

Ok so my husband and I just decided to start trying to get pregnant this month, and I figured I should go to my doctor to ask if the fact that my cycles are long (40 days) is a problem, and also told her that I sometimes have pain in my left ovary. She sent me to have bloodwork done (was fine) and for an ultrasound which I had done this Wednesday.

Yesterday I suddenly experienced severe pain in my abdomen, the worst pain I have ever been in. I collapsed on the floor at work and my body went into shock (is what the paramedics told me later). An hour later I was fine again and the pain was gone! They put a rush on the results of the ultrasound and they showed a cyst of 4.5 cm on my left ovary. My doctor says the cyst ruptured yesterday and that this caused the pain.

She was very vague when I asked if this poses a problem with my fertility, she said it may or may not. I can't find any information online. I have some questions still, I wonder if the ruptured cyst could have damaged my ovary and whether it does affect fertility or not. Does anyone have any information/experience on/with this?

Thanks,

[Elaine Brown, MD]

HI!
What you most likely had is a ruptured corpus luteum cyst. When a woman ovulates each month, she produces a corpus luteum in the area of the ovary from which the egg was released.  Sometimes when the follicle ruptures and the egg is released bleeding occurs into the follicle cavity.  This can rapidly fill up with blood which hurts, and then burst which also hurts!  Most of the time this does not produce scar tissue.  That is one way that your fertility could be affected. So I doubt that this will be a problem.
It does seem that certain people are "prone" to ruptured cysts though.  In other words, it could happen again although I certainly hope not! Obviously, if you have ruptured cysts every month that might put a damper on your fertility.
The GOOD news is: once you are pregnant you won't ovulate or produce cysts--so that is your cure!  By the way, a hysterosalpingogram(HSG) will tell whether or not there is scarring around your tubes.

Good luck!
Dr B

[Romy1985]

PS. My doctor said the rest of my organs down there were all perfect, I don't have fibroids or any other cysts.

[Romy1985]

Thank you so much for your quick response.
I have one more question...
You write "Sometimes when the follicle ruptures and the egg is released bleeding occurs into the follicle cavity."

Would this then be at time of ovulation or could that be any time of the month? My period started at 4.30 am yesterday and at 8 am this horrible pain started. Could the onset of my period have caused the cyst to rupture?