What Causes a Twisted Ovary?

An enlarged ovary or ovarian cyst can make twisting more likely, although torsion can also occur without an obvious trigger. Pregnancy, fertility treatment, or a naturally longer supporting ligament may alter how freely the ovary moves.

The ovary and fallopian tube are held in place by supporting tissues that contain blood vessels. When the ovary twists, blood flow can become restricted. The pain may be sudden and severe, or it may come and go if the ovary twists and untwists.

Common symptoms include one-sided pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, and tenderness. A fever or feeling faint can develop when the problem has progressed. A clinician may use an examination and ultrasound, but symptoms and examination findings guide the decision about urgent treatment.

Do not wait for the pain to settle if it is sudden, severe, or paired with vomiting. Contact emergency services or go to an emergency department so a gynaecology team can assess you promptly. Avoid driving yourself if you feel faint or are in severe pain.

Treatment usually aims to untwist the ovary and preserve it when possible. Surgery may also address a cyst or other cause of enlargement; a laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy is one procedure used to remove a cyst through small abdominal incisions.

Seek emergency care now for sudden one-sided pelvic or lower abdominal pain, especially with nausea, vomiting, fever, marked tenderness, dizziness, or fainting. These features can signal a time-sensitive problem and should not be assessed only through self-care.

If pain is milder but keeps returning, arrange prompt medical review. Mention any known ovarian cyst, pregnancy, fertility medication, or recent pelvic procedure.

Ask what findings support torsion, whether an ultrasound is needed, and how quickly treatment should happen. You can also ask whether an ovarian cyst or another pelvic condition could be contributing to the symptoms.