What’s the deal with ovarian cysts? Breaking down the good, the bad and the ugly

(Rebecca Opie/ ABC News) –– Ovarian cysts are one of the most common causes of pelvic pain in women and while many are harmless, others can cause painful symptoms, threaten fertility and in some cases become cancerous. 

According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, up to 10 per cent of women will have surgery during their lifetime due to an ovarian mass.

Women who suffer symptoms from complex or ruptured ovarian cysts, often report being misdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness about the pain and discomfort the condition can cause.

There are different types of ovarian cysts and masses — some can cause medical emergencies and others do not cause any problems at all. (…)