Phuong Anh, a 26-year-old aerobics instructor, experienced severe abdominal pain after teaching her students. She initially thought she had appendicitis, but a doctor discovered a ruptured ovarian cyst and bleeding.
On April 17, Doctor Le Thanh Hung from Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City explained that an abdominal CT scan ruled out appendicitis and revealed bleeding from the left ovary. The patient was diagnosed with a ruptured corpus luteum cyst, which caused intra-abdominal bleeding.
Women have two ovaries that produce eggs and hormones. Each month, after ovulation, the ovaries form corpus luteum cysts that last until the next menstrual cycle. Factors such as intense exercise, heavy lifting, or rough sexual activity can lead to the rupture of these cysts.
Dr. Thanh Hung attributed Phuong Anh’s cyst rupture to vigorous aerobics exercise, which prevented the bleeding from stopping naturally and caused hemorrhage. The patient was hospitalized and given medication to stop the bleeding. Surgery might be necessary if the condition does not improve. After treatment, the bleeding stopped, and the patient recovered.
Exercise is important for health, but women should be cautious about the intensity and impact of their workouts, especially during certain phases of their menstrual cycle. Vigorous exercise can pose risks such as ovarian rupture, uterine prolapse, and genital injuries.
To prevent such complications, women should avoid excessive exercise that directly affects the abdomen, refrain from heavy lifting during certain times of the month, and be cautious with sexual activity. Any unusual symptoms of lower abdominal pain should be promptly evaluated by a doctor for appropriate treatment.