Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on a woman’s ovary. Many women will experience ovarian cysts at some point in their lives. Ovarian cysts often do not cause any symptoms and will go away on their own without needing treatment. However, in some cases ovarian cysts can cause pelvic pain and discomfort. One common question women have is whether ovarian cyst pain tends to be worse at night.
What causes ovarian cysts?
Ovarian cysts form for different reasons. Here are some of the most common types of ovarian cysts:
– Follicular cysts – These cysts form when the follicle containing the egg does not rupture and release the egg during ovulation. The follicle continues to grow into a cyst instead.
– Corpus luteum cysts – After an egg is released, the follicle transforms into a structure called the corpus luteum which produces progesterone. If this structure does not dissolve as it normally would, it can fill with fluid and become a cyst.
– Endometriomas – These ovarian cysts are caused by endometriosis, when tissue similar to the uterine lining implants outside the uterus and can form cysts on the ovaries.
– Cystadenomas – These cysts develop from ovarian tissue and can be filled with mucus and fluid.
What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?
Many small ovarian cysts do not cause any symptoms. However, larger ovarian cysts can cause symptoms such as:
– Pelvic pain – This may be a dull ache in the lower abdomen and pelvic area.
– Pain during intercourse
– Pain during bowel movements or urination
– Abdominal bloating
– Feeling full quickly when eating
– Nausea and vomiting
– Abnormal menstrual cycles
– Pain during ovulation (mid-cycle pain)
– Breast tenderness
– Problems getting pregnant
– Pain with physical activity
If an ovarian cyst ruptures, it can cause sudden, severe pain along with nausea, vomiting and dizziness. This is considered a medical emergency.
Is ovarian cyst pain worse at night?
Many women report that pain from ovarian cysts does seem more noticeable or intense at night. There are several reasons why ovarian cyst pain may worsen at night:
Lying down applies more pressure
When a woman is upright during the day, gravity helps contents in the abdomen stay down towards the pelvis. However, when lying down at night, organs can shift around more freely within the abdomen. An ovarian cyst may be pushed against other structures, causing more noticeable pain when a woman lies down.
Menstrual cycle hormones
For functional ovarian cysts that are tied to the menstrual cycle, hormone fluctuations can make the cysts more irritable and prone to rupture around the time of ovulation. This may cause increasing pain at night as a woman gets closer to ovulating.
Bladder filling
At night, the bladder gradually fills up as hours go by without urinating. A full bladder can put extra pressure on an ovarian cyst neighboring the bladder, potentially increasing pain.
Bowel irritation
Women may be more aware of ovarian cyst pain at night after eating dinner, when the bowel is most active trying to digest food. Bowel movements and gas can also irritate an ovarian cyst.
Fatigue and stress
Being exhausted at night can lower a woman’s threshold for tolerating pain. Stress hormones may also be higher at night, making pain feel worse.
Less distractions
During the day, a woman can be busy with work, errands, caring for family, and other activities that distract from ovarian cyst pain. At night while trying to fall asleep, there are less distractions so the pain feels more pronounced.
Tips for dealing with worse ovarian cyst pain at night
Here are some tips that may help if ovarian cyst pain routinely worsens at night:
Take over-the-counter pain medication
Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen an hour before bedtime can help reduce inflammation and pain during the night. Be sure to take medication with food to avoid upsetting your stomach.
Try a heating pad
Applying heat to your lower abdomen with a heating pad or hot water bottle might alleviate pain at night. Be sure to use a product that has an auto-shut off feature for safety if you fall asleep.
Wear loose pajamas
Avoid wearing tight-fitting pajamas or underwear to bed that could add pressure to your cyst and increase pain. Opt for loose, soft pajamas instead.
Use pillows for support
Try placing a pillow under your knees while lying on your back or under your stomach while lying on your side to take pressure off your cyst.
Go to the bathroom before bed
Empty your bladder right before going to sleep so it does not fill up and irritate your cyst throughout the night.
Avoid heavy meals before bed
Eat lighter dinners and avoid gassy, hard-to-digest foods in the evenings that could lead to added pressure from a full bowel irritating your cyst during the night.
Practice relaxation techniques
Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, or mindfulness meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety to make dealing with nighttime pain easier.
Change sleep positions
If pain worsens after lying in one position for too long, try changing positions or placing a pillow between your legs for relief.
Keep a pain diary
Writing down your symptoms each day and night can help identify patterns and track what makes pain better or worse. Share this information with your doctor.
When to see a doctor
You should make an appointment with your gynecologist or primary care physician if:
– Ovarian cyst pain is persistent and not improving with over-the-counter pain medication
– Pain is severe or unbearable
– You have fever, vomiting, dizziness, or other concerning symptoms
– Your cyst ruptures causing sudden, severe pain
– You miss work or can’t do normal daily activities due to ovarian cyst pain
– Pain lasts longer than 1-2 monthly menstrual cycles
– You have any worries related to your ovarian cyst symptoms
The doctor can confirm it is an ovarian cyst causing your pain through a pelvic exam, ultrasound, or other tests. They may recommend prescription strength pain medication, hormonal birth control to prevent new cysts, drainage of large cysts, or surgery in some cases.
Diagnosing ovarian cysts that worsen pain at night
To diagnose ovarian cysts, doctors can perform:
Pelvic exam
Feeling for abnormalities in the ovaries and uterus by applying pressure with the fingers through the vagina.
Ultrasound
This images the ovaries and uterus using sound waves. It can detect fluid-filled ovarian cysts and their size.
Blood tests
These may check hormone levels for clues related to certain ovarian cyst types that are hormone-driven.
CT scan or MRI
In some cases these advanced imaging tests may be used to further evaluate large or complex ovarian cysts.
Laparoscopy
This minor surgery inserts a tiny camera through the navel to see the ovaries and remove samples of cysts to test if cancerous.
| Diagnostic Test | How It Checks for Ovarian Cysts |
|---|---|
| Pelvic exam | Palpates the ovaries and uterus to feel for abnormalities |
| Ultrasound | Uses sound waves to produce images of the ovaries and detect fluid-filled cysts |
| Blood tests | Checks hormone levels which may relate to certain functional cyst types |
| CT scan or MRI | Advanced imaging tests to further evaluate large or complex ovarian cysts |
| Laparoscopy | Minor surgery to visually inspect the ovaries and obtain cyst samples |
This table summarizes how doctors use various tests to diagnose ovarian cysts that may be causing worsening pain at night.
Treatment options for ovarian cysts with night pain
Treatments that may help manage ovarian cysts accompanied by nighttime pain include:
Pain medication
Over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help ease pain episodes. Prescription opioids may sometimes be prescribed for short-term relief of severe pain.
Hormonal birth control
Birth control pills or hormone shots like Depo-Provera prevent ovulation so ovarian cysts related to the monthly cycle are less likely to form.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists
These drugs switch off estrogen production to halt ovulation and shrink ovarian cysts.
Drainage
Cysts may be drained using a needle guided by ultrasound images. This provides relief without surgery but cysts can reaccumulate fluid.
Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy
This minimally invasive surgery removes a cyst while preserving healthy ovarian tissue. It has a short recovery time.
Oophorectomy
If ovarian cysts are extensive and keep recurring, surgery to remove one or both ovaries may be necessary. This causes infertility.
Here is a table comparing the different treatment approaches:
| Treatment | How It Works | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Pain medication | Relieves ovarian cyst pain episodes but does not treat underlying cause | Can help manage pain flare ups as needed |
| Hormonal birth control | Stops ovulation so functional cysts are less likely to form | Prevents recurrent cysts but does not treat existing cysts |
| GnRH agonists | Shrinks ovarian cysts by halting estrogen production | Causes menopause-like side effects while using medication |
| Cyst drainage | Needle aspiration removes cyst fluid for relief | Cysts often reform and require repeated drainage |
| Laparoscopic cystectomy | Surgery removes cyst while conserving ovaries | Invasive procedure but with quick recovery time |
| Oophorectomy | Surgical removal of ovaries containing cysts | Causes infertility so only done for severe recurrent cysts |
This overview compares the pros and cons of treatments that may help if ovarian cysts are causing increasing nighttime pain.
Home remedies to find relief from worsening ovarian cyst pain at night
Some at-home remedies women can try to find relief from ovarian cyst pain that worsens at night include:
Heat therapy
Taking a warm bath or applying a heating pad to the lower abdomen may ease pain before bed. Heat improves blood flow to relax muscles.
Cold therapy
For acute cyst pain, applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the area can help reduce inflammation.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin that has anti-inflammatory properties which may help decrease ovarian cyst pain. Mix turmeric powder into warm milk or tea.
Ginger
Ginger can also help reduce inflammation. Brew chopped ginger root into tea or take ginger supplements to potentially alleviate nighttime ovarian cyst pain.
Castor oil packs
Applying castor oil soaked into a cloth and placing it over the abdomen may promote healing and relieve pain.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile has antispasmodic effects which can help relax muscles and decrease ovarian cyst pain at night. Drink a cup of chamomile tea before bed.
Fish oil
The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements have anti-inflammatory properties to potentially ease pain.
Peppermint essential oil
Inhaling peppermint oil aroma or diluting and rubbing it on the lower abdomen may temporarily relieve ovarian cyst discomfort.
Acupuncture
Getting acupuncture treatments can promote healing energy flow in the body and may help reduce recurrent ovarian cyst pain.
| Home Remedy | How It Provides Relief |
|---|---|
| Heat therapy | Relaxes muscles and improves blood flow to reduce pain |
| Cold therapy | Reduces inflammation from acute ovarian cyst pain episodes |
| Turmeric | Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin may decrease cyst pain |
| Ginger | Has anti-inflammatory effects that can alleviate pain |
| Castor oil packs | May promote healing and reduce pain when applied to abdomen |
| Chamomile tea | Relaxes muscles through antispasmodic effects |
| Fish oil | Omega-3 fatty acids help decrease inflammation |
| Peppermint oil | Aromatherapy and topical use can temporarily relieve pain |
| Acupuncture | Stimulates healing energy flow in the body to reduce pain |
This overview summarizes different natural remedies that may provide relief from ovarian cyst discomfort that increases at night.
Conclusion
Many women report increased pain and discomfort from ovarian cysts during the nighttime hours. Several factors can contribute to worsening pain at night such as lying down, menstrual cycle hormones, bladder and bowel irritation, fatigue, and fewer distractions. To manage nighttime ovarian cyst pain, women can take medication before bed, apply heat or ice, avoid heavy meals in the evening, use abdominal support pillows, and practice relaxation techniques. If ovarian cyst pain routinely disrupts sleep, see your doctor to discuss treatment options for finding relief.