Here’s How to Tell If You Might Have an Ovarian Cyst Like Hailey Bieber

Hailey Bieber is going through a health issue right now. The 28-year-old model shared on her Instagram Stories that she’s currently dealing with two ovarian cysts while flashing a photo of her belly. “If you deal with ovarian cysts, I’m right there with ya!” she added.

This isn’t the first time Bieber has talked openly about her experience with the common gynecologic issue. In 2src22, she shared in an Instagram Story that she had an ovarian cyst that was “the size of an apple,” while showing a photo of her bloated stomach.

“I don’t have endometriosis or PCOS, but I have gotten an ovarian cyst a few times and it’s never fun,” she wrote at the time. Bieber also revealed back then that the cyst was “painful” and made her “feel nauseous and bloated and crampy and emotional.”

What’s happening inside your pelvis at any given moment is always a bit of a mystery—obviously you can’t see what’s going on in there without the help of a medical professional. But feeling certain uncomfortable symptoms is clearly a red flag that something is up. So how can you tell if you’re grappling with an ovarian cyst, PMS, or something else? We tapped ob-gyns to learn more.

For starters, ovarian cysts are pretty common.

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs in the ovary. They commonly form during ovulation, or the time in your monthly cycle when an ovary releases an egg, according to the US Office on Women’s Health (OASH). These cysts are often harmless—meaning they aren’t cancerous and they may not even cause symptoms, so you won’t ever know that one has formed and eventually resolved on its own.

There are a lot of different types of ovarian cysts—the two most common are follicle cysts and corpus luteum cysts. Follicle cysts form when the tiny sac (called a follicle) that houses the maturing egg during your cycle doesn’t break open as usual to release said egg. This leads the follicle to keep growing, forming a larger cyst.

When the follicle breaks open and releases an egg, it usually shrinks into a mass of cells called corpus luteum. A corpus luteum cyst can form when the sac doesn’t shrink and reseals itself after the egg is released, according to the Mayo Clinic. This causes fluid to build up, and the cyst can grow to almost four inches wide. These can be painful and may even bleed.

Other less common cysts include endometriomas, which are caused by endometriosis; dermoids, which form from cells present at birth; and cystadenomas, which fill with fluid and can become large. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also cause cysts to form.

In general, if a cyst grows big enough, it can interfere with the ovary’s blood supply, cause the ovary to twist (known as ovarian torsion), or even rupture…. All of which can cause pain, bleeding, and the other symptoms Bieber describes.

There are a few signs an ovarian cyst could be causing your abdominal pain and bloating.

Again, it’s possible to have an ovarian cyst with no symptoms. But you can also have an ovarian cyst and really feel it. Some can cause a sharp or dull ache in your abdomen or pain when you do certain activities (including having sex), according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Larger cysts can twist, causing pain on one side that comes and goes or starts suddenly. If your cyst bleeds or bursts, you can feel a sudden, sharp pain on one side of your pelvis.

Of course, many people experience pain during their period to some extent, making it a little hard to tell at baseline whether you’re dealing with period cramps or cyst pain. One thing that can tip you off: when in the month you’re experiencing symptoms.

“Discomfort and pain associated with ovarian cysts can occur at any point in the cycle and can come on suddenly or be persistent,” Archana Pradhan, MD, professor and interim chair in the department of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, tells SELF. On the flip side, “menstrual pain and bloating tends to be right before your period,” Jennifer Wu, MD, an ob-gyn at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, tells SELF.

Period pain also is likely to cause a dull, crampy feeling on both sides of your pelvis, Dr. Pradhan points out, while ovarian cysts may cause sharp or stabbing pain that can travel to your back or even your thighs. She also points out that you’re more likely to have symptoms like mood changes, irritability, and diarrhea along with pain if your period is coming.

It’s important to get an evaluation if you’re uncomfortable.

If you suspect that you have an ovarian cyst and it’s bothering you, it’s a good idea to get it checked out. Your doctor will usually do an ultrasound to see what’s happening inside your pelvis and confirm if a cyst is to blame for your discomfort. If they see anything potentially concerning—it’s quite rare for a cyst to be cancerous, but they may spot a more complex mass that warrants further investigation—your doctor may do a blood test next.

Treatment for an ovarian cyst depends on the type of cyst, along with the size and how much pain it’s causing you, Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, Florida, tells SELF. Your doctor may recommend “watchful waiting,” which is when they’ll monitor you before intervening to see if the cyst goes away or gets worse, or surgery if the cyst is large and causing symptoms. If you have an ovarian torsion, which is when your ovary twists on itself, you’ll need emergency surgery, Dr. Greves says.

If you fall into the watchful waiting camp, Dr. Wu says you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) and use a heating pad over your pelvis to help ride out the pain. “You may want to decrease physical activity for a couple of days too,” she says.

But if your doctor says you’re okay during your appointment and your pain gets worse afterward, Dr. Greves says it’s important to speak up. “If you’re finding that you cannot function in your daily activities, that needs to be voiced,” she says. “Even if you had a normal ultrasound last week or last month, the cyst could now be larger.” If ovarian cysts are a common issue for you, Dr. Wu says your doctor may recommend going on hormonal birth control pills to try to control ovulation and limit future cysts.

Ultimately, if you’re in pain and you’re not sure why, talk to your doctor. They will be able to give you a proper evaluation to see what’s happening and suggest next steps from there.

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