Great question, thank you for sharing! A dermoid cyst is a common type of benign growth that develops on the ovary. They are usually harmless and unlike other cysts, they don’t affect your hormones. In most cases, if the dermoid is small, they go away on their own in about 2-8 weeks. In other cases, the dermoid may be large (in size) and surgery may be considered, but this depends on your specialist. However, if a person experiences severe abdominal pain or cramping, it could be mean that something more serious is going on, such as ovarian torsion (when the ovary twists, which is a surgical emergency). When a person has a larger cyst (whether it’s a dermoid or different kind of ovarian cyst), the risk for ovarian torsion increases.
So, if you are experiencing severe abdominal pain, cramping, and/or nausea or vomiting, it’s a cause for concern. Especially if your symptoms don’t improve with food, having a bowel movement, and/or over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol or Motrin. If that is the case, call your health care provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room. It’s always better to be safe and time is everything when it comes to ovarian torsion.