i get pain in my lower left or right side ( the same sort of area as period pains) it feels to me like a pressure building then a sharp pain.

I work in the medical profession and deal with this type of symptom daily. Ovarian pain and Kidney pain can mimic each other. Do you have a history of Kidney stones or UTIs? How long ago did you have your ovarian cyst? Usually ovarian pain is in the low pelvis and can radiate up into the side. But kidney stones in the ureter could also cause this. If it's not really sharp intense pain that's constant I'd say it's probably more ovarian. If it is constant and sharp probably kidney/ureter related. Hope this helps

depending on where it is and how big it is and a few other factors, it can definitely cause pain. anything ranging from a dull, burning pain to a sharp, occasionally "take your breath away" type pain. what exactly does it feel like? can you describe it? it is burning, sharp, dull, hot, prickly, etc? is it constant or intermittent? does it go away with certain activities? is it exacerbated by certain activities?

personally, i have many cysts, the largest being a 12 cm cyst on my left ovary. the pain from this for me is an occasional crampy type pain, and occasionally a few times a day i get a sharp, hot searing pain. both go away after a few seconds, although they sometimes recur frequently enough to lay me up.

like the poster above me stated, abdominal/pelvic pain can have many causes, and many symptoms. it can radiate or be from something totally unrelated to your ovary. it's obviously hard to tell without knowing your or your history or being able to do an exam. a doc could tell a lot more by doing a proper abdominal exam, among other things. but i know it's hard to go to the doc with every twinge of pain, believe me, i know. i have many medical issues, and if i went to the doc for them all i'd never leave the office.

when was the last time you had a ultrasound or were told about the cyst? are they monitoring it or just letting it go unless you have some pain and other problems?

also, a kidney stone is usually (but by NO means always) normally in the back, and a very sharp type, colicky pain. where as a ovarian cyst usually (but again, not always) is felt on either the left or right sides (depending on location of cyst), lower in the pelvis. obviously these types of pain can mimic each other like the other poster said. i would definitely keep an eye on it. do you keep a pain diary? i have all types of pain, and especially for this i just jot down once a day at the end how bad it was, i have a terrible memory.i go to the ob so infrequently that it really helps to look back in my little calendar and see how often it was bothering me, especially if i find i need to see her for that problem. you could even do it on your computer, whatever, or even a calendar or notebook. it;s very helpful to have that written down.

i am sorry you're in so much pain. i can definitely relate. you do sound like you could have many different issues going on. while i am no doctor and can't diagnose, what is the pain like? write back and i'll try to help best i can. which side is your cyst on? is it the left? also, are you having any UTI symptoms? (painful urination, frequent urination, burning when you urinate, etc)? any change in bladder habits? any fever? sorry for all the questions. are you having any trouble with your bowels (like constipation)? are you getting ready to have your period? oftentimes the pain can be worse then.

anyway, i'll stop yapping now. hope you feel better.

WOW! thanks all for commenting on here. so i was told i had a cyst on my ovary while i was pregnant. I was getting an ultrasound and the tech kept looking at something which was freaking me out and then finally they told me it was a cyst and for the life of me i cant remember which side it was, but i am thinking its my left side. At my 6 week check up after having my son the doc wanted to get me another ultrasound t look at it but i knew i would no longer have insurance so i had to reject that and she told me just to watch out for any pain and if i started to have pain i would need to have it looked at agin.
So as for my pain. It comes and goes through out the day, sometimes it is very low in my back on the left side ans sometimes it is low in my stomach on the left side. No fever, or UTI symptoms (believe me i know what those feel like). no vomiting or constipation. Now i have nticed sometimes when i urinate that i will have like a pulling downward feeling on my front left side. The pain is sometimes sharp but mostly dull.
oh and my cyst has been there for about 2 years with nothing being checked just kind of forgot about it.