Is It Safe to Exercise With Ovarian Cysts?

Ovarian cysts commonly affect people with ovaries during their reproductive years. While most are small and go unnoticed, according to the Mayo Clinic, others may cause a range of symptoms — from mild discomfort to severe pain.

If you have painful ovarian cysts, sometimes exercise or strenuous physical activity can add to your discomfort. However, exercise has many health benefits, including managing the abnormal hormone levels found in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition which is characterized by the presence of many small ovarian cysts.

The best way to determine if your workout is safe while you have a cyst is to know how large the cyst is and to keep tabs on your symptoms, according to Christine Greves, MD, ob-gyn at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Florida.

"If you have no pain and the cyst is less than 3 centimeters, usually there are no concerns," she says.

Here's a deeper look at what to consider before working out with cysts.

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs found on or inside an ovary. These cysts are categorized as either functional, meaning they're formed during the monthly menstrual cycle, or pathological, which can be benign or cancerous growths, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Functional cysts are the most common, and most are harmless and don't cause symptoms.

Larger cysts may cause discomfort (such as pressure or bloating) and pain. They're also more likely to rupture (break open) and have a higher risk of ovarian torsion, a painful twisting of the ovary.

If you have large or painful cysts, your doctor will decide whether to watch and wait, prescribe medications or surgically remove them.

If you have small and painless ovarian cysts (a hallmark of PCOS), it's a good idea to exercise on a regular basis. Exercise is helpful in managing PCOS, and while more research needs to be done on cysts and working out, a small study in the June 2008 issue of the ‌Journal of Exercise Science and Physiotherapy‌ showed that physical activity reduced cyst size in people with PCOS.

If you have large or painful cysts, though, you may want to limit or adjust the exercise you do if it adds to your discomfort. Indeed, vigorous activity may cause ovarian torsion in these cases, so you might want to avoid things like running or HIIT until the cyst gets smaller or goes away, per Nationwide Children's.

It is also possible for a cyst to rupture, or break open, during strenuous exercise, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, and functional cysts are the most likely to rupture.

However, most of the time a ruptured cyst doesn't cause any symptoms or causes only mild symptoms, such as short-term pain that can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

That's likely why a review of the management of adnexal or ovarian masses, published in the April 2016 issue of ‌American Family Physician‌, does not include exercise restriction in ovarian cyst management.

Sometimes a ruptured cyst can lead to more serious symptoms, such as severe pain in the lower belly and internal bleeding, which require medical treatment. If you have certain health conditions, including those that make you bleed easily, you may be at higher risk for severe symptoms from a ruptured cyst.

That's why it's most important to follow the advice of your doctor when it comes to exercising with ovarian cysts, as they will be able to assess your risk based on the type and size of cyst you have as well as your health status and medical history.

Consult your doctor if you think you have an ovarian cyst, as only a doctor can accurately diagnose you.

If you know you have a cyst, talk to your doctor about what level of exercise is safe for you.

Finally, get medical help immediately if you have severe symptoms of a ruptured cyst, such as sudden, severe and sharp pain in the lower abdomen which may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.