Question about ovarian cycts

I am 21 years old. I have been experiencing pelvic pain for almost three weeks. And before that, I had spotting for almost ten days. According to the doctor, the ultrasound that I did two weeks ago showed that I had free fluid behind my uterus and a benign cyst in my left ovary. She said the fluid should be from a ruptured cyst and the bleeding was probably casued by the rupture or leakage of the cyst. She told me the pain was probably caused by the fluid that's remaining in my abdomen. However, I am still feeling the pain and it travelled to my low back and thigs. Is it normal for the pain to last so long? How long does the fluid go away ususally? Besides, I also have to urinate more frequently (about every two hours) when i started to feel the pain. Is the urinary frequency casued by the cyst or the fluid as well? I researched online and found that a bladder disease called interstitial cystitis have similar symptoms (pelvic and lower abdominal pain and frequent urination) . Is it possible that i am suffering from IC istead of just the cysts? I am really worried about this because I know that IC has no cure.

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,

I think your physician has advised you well.  There is no certain time for the cyst fluid to absorb and the timing would also depend upon the amount of fluid present.  Certainly any fluid that irritates the abdomen and pelvis can cause symptoms of pelvic pain/discomfort and urinary symptoms.  

Given these symptoms were related to an acute (sudden) episode, I doubt it is related to IC.  Give it more time and see how you feel in a few more weeks.

Best regards,

Dr. Downing