Ovarian cyst- exercise risky? Any medics about?

[SunnyPineapple]

Hi my DD is 17 and has spent much of this week at the hospital with suspected appendicitis which turned out to be an ovarian cyst. It’s about 4cm I believe.

Thing is, she’s about to do her dance A level so I need some urgent advice about exercise.

Her pain is now manageable and she has an onward referral but the person who spoke to us over the phone about the scan result couldn’t advise us on exercise.

She needs to film a short dance video and later this week, attend rehearsals for a performance in 2-3 weeks time. I’m worried that dance could increase the risk of rupture or torsion.

Is it generally safe to exercise if not in pain or should she be resting regardless?

Can anyone give us any information/ advice? We will obviously speak to the doctor asap but any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

Bump!

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Hi. I have PCOS and have suffered with painful ovarian cysts. I had one that was so painful it caused a suspected ectopic when I was pregnant. (Luckily was just a cyst).

I find that the pain will last a few days then I carry on as normal. Be prepared for not much follow up from the doctors.

I've never had any removed or any treatment despite having been in severe pain numerous times- the NHS don't really take it seriously. (Hopefully it's different for your daughter)

Has she only the one cyst- and has she had her bloods done? As it could be PCOS. The doctors will recommend the pill if so - which doesn't treat it it just minimises symptoms. (Which can be painful cysts). However there's natural remedies to help with PCOS which I find to be more efficient and healthy for the body and mind.

@prettylittlethingss thank you so much for replying. She did have bloods done and some levels were elevated (not sure what ) but something consistent with appendicitis, despite it not being that…

She had a scan previously due to abdominal pain but nothing was found. Maybe that was another cyst that then resolved.

Any ideas about risks with exercise?

None that I'm aware of, I'm no doctor though!

However I have had numerous appointments due to cysts and never been told exercising is a risk.

I have an ovarian cyst about the same size and have for a few years now and have never been told not to exercise - with mine I've cycled regularly and fallen pregnant twice. So I would think she should be OK to exercise as long as she's not in pain, maybe take it easy at first though.

Most women have cysts but don't even realise it as they never get found or aren't painful. Hope your daughter feels better soon!

Thank you @bogoblin and @prettylittlethingss sounds like she can do wishes feels up to doing, pain permitting.

I had a lot of pain during pregnancy. Basicallly dismissed as braxton hicks despite me saying not uterine pain ( 2nd baby so not unfamiliar with contractions 🤦‍♀️)
Had a elective c- section. Baby out…surgeon says “ oh, what have we here.?” A bloody huge ovarian cyst the size of babies head.
since they were in there rummaging around they did remove along with most of that ovary.
so, given my DS was playing footy with a large cyst from inside for I assume some months, I don’t think a bit a exercise is really going to do much damage…it isn’t a muscle or ligament or tendon…maybe if she a contortionist? As folks say in a lot of cases if cysts are small they don’t operate.
I’ve an umberlical hernia from pregnancy…had it for 26 years…they won’t operate…they don’t seem too concerned about that strangulating either.
get her to monitor pain…I found after my ovary removed that I got discomfort at certain times of month- linked to ovulation. Might be useful to figure out if her pain varies like that to manage better

Omg@EmilyBolton that’s quite a story! No wonder you were in pain! Thank you for sharing.

I had a huge cyst - I could feel it through my tummy! It was so big they had to remove my whole ovary and tube. I was worried about exercise but my consultant said it was ok and didn’t seem too bothered - I was doing quite a lot of cardio and dance. I slowed it down a bit before surgery because it didn’t feel right - not so much the pain but I just felt uneasy but that was the week leading up to surgery. I had it for 6 years - it gradually got bigger over that time and I exercise a lot so my experience and advice my consultant gave me is it’s ok - pain permitting

I was warned about exercise when I had a 9cm cyst as it was large and eventually removed. I currently have a 3 - 4 cm cyst and they haven't advised to avoid exercise etc as it is only a small one

@LucyD30 and @ChuckMater thank you both, that’s extremely helpful.