Biking provides excellent
exercise, but it's not always advisable if you have a very large,
symptomatic ovarian cyst. In most cases, though, an ovarian cyst
shouldn't keep you from exercise like biking. Ovarian cysts
are common in women of childbearing age and normally cause no symptoms
at all, so you might have one and not even know it. Some types of cysts
pose more risk than others. See your doctor for guidelines on what types
of exercise you can do if you have an ovarian cyst.
Types of Cysts
Ovarian
cysts vary considerably. Some develop from the corpus luteum, the
leftover remnant of the follicle after ovulation that contained the
developing egg. The corpus luteum produces progesterone for several
weeks after ovulation, to support the uterine lining in case pregnancy
occurs. If no embryo implants,
the corpus luteum dissolves. If it doesn't dissolve, the leftover sac
can fill with fluid, growing as large as 4 inches across, the
womenshealth.gov site reports. Women who have undergone fertility
treatments have an increased risk of developing these cysts. Follicle
cysts develop when the egg doesn't release from the follicle, which then
may persist for one to three months. Endometriomas, sometimes called
chocolate cysts, can grow on the ovary if you have endometriosis, which
is when uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus.
Biking Risks
You
might first notice pain in the lower abdomen on one side while biking
or doing other strenuous exercise. When you bike, you pull your legs up
to your abdomen, which increases the pressure inside the lower abdomen.
If you have a large ovarian cyst, this action could cause the cyst to
rupture. Riding over rough roads or falling off your bike could also
cause a cyst to rupture.
Cyst Complications
A
large ruptured ovarian cyst can lead to a significant amount of blood
loss. If you feel pain in the lower left or right abdominal quadrant
along with feeling faint, dizzy or weak, seek medical attention
immediately. You might also run a fever or vomit. You might not see
visible vaginal bleeding if an ovarian cyst ruptures; you may experience
swelling in the lower abdomen from blood and fluid accumulation. If
your hormone levels drop when a cyst ruptures, you may experience light
bleeding from shedding the uterine lining.
Contraindications
If you experience ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome — often called OHSS — after a fertility treatment,
you may have many large corpus luteum cysts. If you have OHSS, you
doctor will most likely prescribe absolutely no exercise, including
biking, which puts extra pressure on the lower abdomen. If you have
OHSS, you will probably feel too ill to bike anyway. If you have a
single very large ovarian cyst, your doctor might also prescribe no
exercise or sex until the cyst shrinks.
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