What is a burst ovarian cyst? Miley Cyrus reveals excruciating pain during performance

Yahoo

23-05-2025

Miley Cyrus has opened up about a painful and traumatic medical emergency she experienced while filming her NBC New Year's Eve special in 2023, revealing she performed live on stage while suffering from a ruptured ovarian cyst.
Speaking to DJ and presenter Zane Lowe on a recent episode of The Zane Lowe Interview Series podcast, the 32-year-old singer described the "extremely excruciating" ordeal, which almost caused her to walk away from music entirely.
"I had a medical emergency," Cyrus told Lowe. "I had an ovarian cyst rupture, which we didn't know exactly what was going on, so we did it, but it was pretty traumatic, cause it was extremely excruciating. And I did the show anyway, but it was really, really hard on me."
Ruptured ovarian cysts can cause sudden, sharp pain in the lower abdomen, and in some cases lead to nausea, vomiting or even internal bleeding.
Cyrus went on to explain how the health scare affected her mental health. "I had dinner with Lorne [TV writer and film producer Lorne Michaels], and he said something that stuck with me," she recalled. "He told me, 'Six months. Everybody has six months to feel sorry for themselves, and then we start to rebuild.'
"By then it was Christmas, and then New Year's, so my time was up. He told me, 'You have no idea how many artists have sat in this chair and told me they were quitting music. Everyone has these traumatic experiences.'"
Miley's comments come after TV presenter Lorraine Kelly spoke publicly about her own experience with a ruptured ovarian cyst earlier this week. Returning to Lorraine after a brief hiatus, the veteran host revealed she underwent surgery to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed after a cyst burst mid-flight earlier this year.
"What happened was, do you remember I told you back in January, I was coming back from India and on the flight I had terrible, terrible pain?" she recalled live on Lorraine. "It was a cyst that had burst, an ovarian cyst that had burst. There was a bit of bleeding, and when I say discomfort, you know I'm stoic, but it was horrible."
Following the incident, a scan revealed that one of her ovaries appeared "a bit dodgy." Doctors recommended she have them removed as a precautionary measure.
Kelly then underwent laparoscopic surgery, a type of keyhole surgery performed under general anaesthesia, and the presenter has been off-screen recuperating, with her family looking after her.
According to the NHS, ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries. They're very common – especially before menopause – and often cause no symptoms, usually resolving on their own within a few months.
However, in some cases, a cyst can rupture, grow large, or twist, potentially leading to more serious symptoms.
"There are various types of ovarian cysts," TV medic Dr Hilary Jones explained on Lorraine today. "There are functional ones that you get before the menopause when you release the egg. Sometimes that follicle can get full of fluid, it refills with fluid.
"But after the menopause, those cysts can – usually they are benign, we call them cystadenomas, cysts arising from ovarian tissue – which can again, become quite large, full of fluid or mucus.
"Although they are usually benign, they have the potential to turn malignant, so as a precautionary measure, sometimes it's useful to just remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes.'
Most ovarian cysts only cause noticeable symptoms if they rupture, grow very large or twist. If complications arise, the following signs may occur:
Sudden or severe pelvic pain
Pain during or after sex
Bloating or a swollen abdomen
Frequent need to urinate
Difficulty emptying the bladder or bowels
Irregular, heavy, or lighter-than-normal periods
Feeling full quickly when eating
Difficulty conceiving (though many cysts don't affect fertility)
If you experience sudden abdominal or pelvic pain, particularly if it's severe, it's important to seek medical attention, as a burst cyst can require immediate treatment.
The NHS say that most ovarian cysts are linked to the menstrual cycle. These functional cysts often develop as part of the natural ovulation process and typically resolve on their own without treatment.
However, not all ovarian cysts are symptom-free and some underlying conditions can increase your changes of developing more problematic types.
Endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the uterus, is a common risk factor. Fluid-filled cysts called 'endometriomas' can sometimes develop in this extra tissue, leading to pain and other complications.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is another common cause, which along with irregular periods, is often characterised by the formation of many small cysts on the ovaries.
These cysts are actually immature egg follicles that haven't developed properly due to hormonal imbalances.
As they release excess male hormones called 'androgens', they can contribute to several key symptoms of the condition, including acne, excess hair growth and difficulties conceiving.
Read more about ovarian cysts:
What are ovarian cysts? Learn the types, symptoms and treatments (Live Science, 9-min read)
What to do if you get diagnosed with an ovarian cyst (Time, 4-min read)
Ovarian cysts can be painful when they burst. When do you need to see a doctor? (The Conversation, 4-min read)