Ovarian cysts are common fluid-filled sacs that develop on or within an ovary. They are a frequent occurrence during reproductive years, often harmless, and may resolve without intervention.
Blood in stool is visible blood during a bowel movement. It can appear as bright red on toilet paper, in the toilet, or mixed with stool. Its color offers clues: bright red indicates lower digestive tract bleeding, while darker or tarry stools suggest bleeding from higher up.
Ovarian Cysts and Blood in Stool: Is There a Direct Link?
Ovarian cysts do not directly cause blood in the stool. Cysts are part of the female reproductive system, while blood in stool originates from the digestive tract, a separate system.
Though both systems are in the abdominal and pelvic regions, their functions are distinct. An ovarian cyst, even if symptomatic, typically affects reproductive or urinary functions through pressure or pain. There is no direct mechanism for an ovarian cyst to cause digestive tract bleeding.
Why Symptoms Might Seem Related
Despite no direct connection, a perceived link between ovarian cysts and blood in stool is understandable. Ovaries are in the pelvis, close to the lower digestive tract (colon and rectum). This anatomical closeness can lead to overlapping symptoms.
Large ovarian cysts, though rare, can pressure nearby organs, including the bowel. This pressure may change bowel habits, like constipation or incomplete emptying. However, these changes are due to mechanical compression and do not involve digestive lining bleeding.
Other Potential Causes of Blood in Stool
Blood in stool can stem from various digestive conditions. Hemorrhoids, swollen veins in the rectum or anus, are frequent causes, often appearing as bright red blood on toilet paper or in the bowl. Anal fissures, small tears in the anal lining, also cause bright red bleeding, often with pain.
Other conditions include diverticulitis, an inflammation or infection of small pouches in the colon, which can lead to bleeding. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, involves chronic inflammation of the digestive tract and can cause bloody diarrhea. Colon polyps, growths on the lining of the colon, can also bleed, sometimes without visible symptoms, and some types have the potential to become cancerous. More serious causes that warrant prompt investigation include gastrointestinal infections and colorectal cancer, which may present with varying blood colors and other symptoms.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Any instance of unexplained blood in the stool warrants medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause. While some causes, like minor hemorrhoids, may not be severe, blood in stool can also signal more serious conditions that require timely diagnosis and treatment. It is particularly important to seek urgent medical attention if the bleeding is heavy, persistent, or accompanied by symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting, fever, or vomiting.
For ovarian cysts, medical attention is advisable if symptoms are severe, sudden, or worsening. This includes intense pelvic pain, pain with fever or vomiting, or signs of shock, which could indicate a ruptured cyst or ovarian torsion. A healthcare professional can perform a physical exam, imaging tests like ultrasound or colonoscopy, and blood tests to accurately diagnose the cause of symptoms and guide appropriate care.