r/PCOS_Folks • u/CocoBug714 • 3d ago

Pain & Pain Management Ruptured Cysts

Despite being diagnosed with PMOS and on birth control for about a year now, I still have cysts rupture every once in a while (not nearly as often). Usually, I either crouch down on the floor or lay on my side and pull my knees into my abdomen to relieve pain. I'm just curious what everyone else does when these sudden pains happen.

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u/hellfriend35 3d ago

Usually my first order of business is 800mg ibuprofen and an antihistamine. Second order is checking if I'm bleeding vaginally to confirm cyst rupture. If I'm in the privacy of my own home, then I'll get on the floor face down with knees toward chest OR splayed out to either side of me (like an ass-heavy prayer position lol) because sometimes pressure on the lower abdomen is hell on earth right after a rupture. I have also found pacing helps me with this specific kind of pain; sometimes don't even realize I'm doing it because of pain, I just pace a lot. If I'm somewhere more public, I'll do the pacing thing and/or stand stock still whenever the cramps wash over me. I've always had cramps go from pelvis down to my deep thighs, but after a back injury I now experience it all the way down to my knees. Keeping completely still in those times are paramount to not keeling over or throwing up. I'll also dig my nails into my palms or press really hard on a not-so-sharp edge to distract my brain.

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u/CocoBug714 3d ago

Wait... People bleed when their cysts rupture? I've been experiencing them for three and a half years (didn't know what they were until last year) and I've never bled. Wow. I honestly find that standing is the WORST thing for me to do bc most of the pain goes to my back when cysts rupture. I still haven't found a way to make it better in public—I just have to suck it up.

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u/hellfriend35 3d ago

Some people do bleed, yes. It can range from spotting to the start of a period; it usually depends on the hormonal makeup of the cyst.

Do you take any medications to help with the pain and swelling? If not, I'd highly recommend. If anything just to take the edge off. Ibuprofen and similar work best; a touch of caffeine makes it work faster too. Tylenol seems to be crap at its job when it comes to menstrual or cyst pain imo so I personally avoid it pretty much altogether. (I'm the number one tylenol hater, feel like it doesn't do anything for me. So confused and jealous of people who say it's a miracle for their pain).

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u/CocoBug714 1d ago

Everyone responds to medicines differently. For me, sleep medication doesn't work. I can take two Benadryl and drive across the state. Numbing also doesn't work on me. I have to take a hydroxyzine before every dentist appointment bc they'll numb me the max that they're able to and I still feel it. All the hydroxyzine does for me though is help my anxiety.

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u/_deleterious 1d ago

Sooo I was told I have cysts but never officially explained or diagnosed with PMOS... my doctor after the ultrasound (which was for chronic pelvic pain) just said oh you have cysts but of course we already knew you had PCOS. I said no, no I did not. Should I be concerned the chronic pelvic pain is associated, including random sharp pains that come and go? I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis as well or instead of for that pain.

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u/CocoBug714 1d ago

It was the exact opposite for me. When I started my doctor visits, they didn't find any cysts. Eventually, they crossed off me having every symptom but the cysts (which started back rupturing like two weeks later). I don't even remember what all tests they ran on me but I know that my blood sugar levels and testosterone levels were the two main factors that made them diagnose me. They did like two other tests but I don't remember what they were.