You’re sitting in a doctor’s office, maybe for the first time by yourself, and you hear the words "ovarian cyst." It sounds scary. It sounds like something that shouldn't be happening to someone in their teens or early twenties. But honestly? It's incredibly common. Most of the time, your body is just doing exactly what it was designed to do, even if it feels like things are going sideways.
Understanding what causes ovarian cysts in young females usually starts with a quick biology refresher that most of us slept through in high school. Every month, your ovaries are basically tiny, high-stakes factories. They prep a follicle—which is just a fluid-filled sac—to release an egg. If that egg doesn't pop out quite right, or if the sac doesn't dissolve after the egg is gone, you’ve got a cyst. That's the baseline. It’s often just a "glitch" in a very complex hormonal rhythm.
But sometimes it’s more than a glitch.
The Regular Culprit: Functional Cysts
Most young women deal with what doctors call functional cysts. These aren't "diseases" in the traditional sense. They are products of the menstrual cycle itself. There are two main flavors here. First, you’ve got follicular cysts. This happens when the follicle doesn't rupture to release the egg and just keeps growing. Imagine a balloon that refuses to pop.
Then there’s the corpus luteum cyst. After an egg is released, the empty follicle is supposed to shrink and start pumping out hormones like progesterone. Sometimes, the opening where the egg escaped seals shut, and fluid builds up inside.
These are almost always harmless. They usually vanish in a couple of cycles without you even knowing they were there. You might feel a dull ache or a sharp twinge for a day, and then—poof—it’s gone. It's just the messy reality of having ovaries.
When Hormones Go Off the Rails
Hormonal imbalances are a massive factor in what causes ovarian cysts in young females. We live in a world where our endocrine systems are constantly under fire. Stress? Check. Lack of sleep? Check. Diet? Check.
When your levels of estrogen and progesterone aren't dancing in the right rhythm, the signal to release an egg gets muffled. Your brain (specifically the pituitary gland) sends out Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), but if the handoff to Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is clunky, the follicle stays put. This is why you might see more cysts during times of intense exams or major life changes. Your body is basically "distracted," and the ovulation process stalls.
🔗 Read more: X Ray on Hand: What Your Doctor is Actually Looking For
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
We can't talk about cysts without talking about PCOS. It’s a bit of a misnomer, though. In PCOS, those "cysts" aren't actually typical cysts; they're many tiny, immature follicles that never grew large enough to release an egg. It looks like a "string of pearls" on an ultrasound.
PCOS is usually tied to insulin resistance and higher-than-normal levels of androgens (hormones like testosterone). If you’re noticing irregular periods, stubborn acne, or hair growth in places you’d rather not have it—like the chin or chest—it might not be a one-off cyst. It might be the whole syndrome. According to the Office on Women's Health, PCOS affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. That’s a lot of people dealing with the same "why is my body doing this?" frustration.
Endometriosis and "Chocolate Cysts"
This one is a bit tougher. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it. Sometimes, this tissue attaches to the ovary and forms a growth.
These are called endometriomas.
They get the nickname "chocolate cysts" because they are filled with dark, reddish-brown blood. Unlike functional cysts, these don't just go away on their own. They can be incredibly painful, especially during your period. If your cramps are so bad you’re missing school or work, it’s not "just a period." It might be an endometrioma signaling that something deeper is happening with your pelvic health.
Pelvic Infections and Inflammation
It’s not something people love to talk about, but Severe pelvic infections (like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID) can spread to the ovaries and Fallopian tubes. When the body tries to fight off an infection, it can create abscesses or cysts filled with infected fluid.
This is serious stuff. Usually, this comes with a fever, weird discharge, or pretty intense pain during sex. If a cyst is caused by an infection, you need antibiotics, not just a "wait and see" approach.
💡 You might also like: Does Ginger Ale Help With Upset Stomach? Why Your Soda Habit Might Be Making Things Worse
The Weird Ones: Dermoid Cysts
Okay, this gets a little "sci-fi." Dermoid cysts (or teratomas) are probably the strangest thing the human body can do. These are not caused by your period. They develop from embryonic cells that have been there since you were born.
Because these cells are "primordial," they can grow into different types of tissue. It is totally possible for a dermoid cyst to contain hair, skin, or even teeth.
Yeah. Teeth.
They are almost always benign (not cancerous), but they can get heavy. Because they have weight to them, they can cause the ovary to shift or even twist. That twisting—called ovarian torsion—is a major medical emergency because it cuts off blood flow. If you have sudden, "fall to the floor" kind of pain, that's the red alert.
Why Young Females Specifically?
You might wonder why this seems to happen so much in your teens and twenties. Basically, your reproductive system is in its "startup phase." In the years following your first period, the communication line between your brain and your ovaries is still being calibrated.
It’s like a new software update that has a few bugs.
Additionally, this is the time of life when many start using hormonal birth control. While the pill is often used to treat cysts (by stopping ovulation), starting or stopping birth control can cause temporary fluctuations that lead to cyst formation.
📖 Related: Horizon Treadmill 7.0 AT: What Most People Get Wrong
How Do You Actually Know?
Most cysts are silent. You’ll never know they’re there. But when they do act up, the symptoms are pretty specific:
- A heavy, dull ache in the lower abdomen on one side.
- Bloating that doesn't go away after you use the bathroom.
- Pain during exercise or "vigorous" movement.
- Irregular spotting between periods.
- A feeling of "fullness" even when you haven't eaten much.
If you go to the doctor, they’ll likely order a transvaginal ultrasound. It sounds intimidating, but it's just a way to get a clear picture of what’s happening. They'll look at the size of the cyst and whether it’s "simple" (just fluid) or "complex" (has solid parts).
Actionable Steps for Managing Your Health
If you’re worried about what causes ovarian cysts in young females or think you might have one, don't just spiral on WebMD. Here is the actual, practical path forward.
1. Track Your Pain
Use an app or a plain old notebook. Mark down exactly when the pain happens in your cycle. Is it right in the middle (ovulation)? Right before your period? This data is gold for your doctor. It helps them differentiate between a functional cyst and something like endometriosis.
2. Watch the "Red Flag" Symptoms
If you experience sudden, agonizing pelvic pain, especially if it's accompanied by nausea and vomiting, go to the ER. Do not wait. This could be torsion or a ruptured cyst that's causing internal bleeding. It’s rare, but it’s the one thing you can’t ignore.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Support
For minor discomfort from functional cysts, heat is your best friend. A heating pad can relax the pelvic muscles. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can help, but don't overdo them. Some people find that reducing highly processed sugars and dairy helps lower overall pelvic inflammation, though the evidence there is more anecdotal.
4. Discuss Birth Control Options
If you get recurring, painful functional cysts, the pill might be a legitimate solution. By preventing ovulation, you stop the "factory" from making the sacs that become cysts in the first place. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a standard tool for a reason.
5. Get a Second Opinion if You Aren't Heard
This is the most important one. If a doctor tells you that "bad pain is just part of being a woman," find a new doctor. It's not. Whether it’s a simple cyst or something more complex like PCOS, you deserve a management plan that doesn't involve you just "toughing it out."
Ovarian cysts are a normal, if annoying, part of the female experience for many. They are rarely life-threatening, but they are a signal from your body. Listen to that signal, track the patterns, and advocate for your own comfort. Most of the time, that "scary" bump on the ultrasound is just a temporary visitor that will be gone by next month.