Symptoms to Distinguish If You Are Pregnant or Could Have an Ovarian Cyst

So you're feeling queasy, your breasts are sore, you feel cramping in your abdomen and your period is late. You automatically think you must be pregnant, but you may not be pregnant, you may have an ovarian cyst.

Until being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) I would have never thought about cysts on my ovaries. It's hard to believe that these growths could cause a feeling very similar to feeling pregnant. How do you know if you are pregnant or have a cyst?

Here are some of the symptoms that I found that can help you distinguish if you are pregnant or have a cyst.

Positive Pregnancy Test
The first step to finding out if you are pregnant is taking a home pregnancy test. If your test comes up positive then you are pregnant. There is a slight risk of developing cysts at the same time as pregnancy, but this typically is found in women that have a history of developing cysts. If you receive a negative result in your test, there is a chance you are still pregnant or could have an ovarian cyst. The only way to be sure is to see a doctor.

Missed Period
Typically a missed period signifies possible pregnancy. This same symptom can also indicate that you have an ovarian cyst. It is more likely a sign of pregnancy unless you have been diagnosed with PCOS or have a history of infrequent or irregular periods. Again, a home pregnancy test is the best remedy to isolate possible pregnancy.

Frequent Urination
This symptom can be present for either pregnancy or a cyst. During pregnancy, your uterus grows and begins to push up against your bladder, which causes more pressure and the urge to need to use the bathroom more frequently. This can also be possible if you have an ovarian cyst because the cyst itself can be causing the pressure on the bladder. Cysts can also cause a burning sensation for urination, possible blood in the urine, or a feeling as though the bladder has not been completely emptied.

Mood Swings
Although mood swings are mostly correlated to pregnancy for the changes in your hormones, they have been known to be present with ovarian cyst patients as well.

Pelvic Pain
Feeling cramping or pain in your abdomen is a normal feeling with pregnancy or with ovarian cysts. From the research I have found typically cysts may target a specific side of your body for this pain, where pregnancy gives an overall feeling of cramping and is not targeted to one side or the other. Ovarian cysts may get to an extreme point of pain with shooting pain. If this pain is experienced, visit your doctor right away.

Nausea or Vomiting
Otherwise known as "morning sickness" nausea or vomiting is present with pregnancy as an early stage in the first trimester. It's caused by an influx of hormones that are flowing through your body. Although the purpose is different, this symptom is also a sign of an ovarian cyst.

Physical Changes
Pregnancy has been known to cause changes in the size, color or texture of the breast tissue. Although soreness of breast tissue is a symptom of an ovarian cyst, a more likely symptom is feeling bloated or retaining extra fluid in the abdomen. Weight gain is another symptom of the presence of a cyst.

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS in the past, you have a greater chance of having a cyst than being pregnant due to your past history.

To detect the presence of an ovarian cyst, your doctor may be able to use a blood test to look at different hormone levels in your blood or commonly will use an ultrasound to view your ovaries. Cysts are treatable. Your doctor will be able to assist you with preferred treatment and in most cases the cyst may go away on their own.

If you feel any discomfort that is not controllable, you should contact your doctor for assistance.

Source: http://www.webmd.com