The diagnosis of a ruptured ovarian cyst usually starts with an ultrasound. If the cyst has ruptured, the ultrasound will show fluid around the ovary and may even reveal an empty, sac-like ulcer. A complete blood count (CBC) may be used to check for signs of infection or other abnormalities.

While an ultrasound is the best method of evaluating a ruptured cyst, it has its limitations. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will have to rule out any other condition with similar symptoms including an ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or non-gynecological causes like appendicitis or a kidney stone.

It is important to note that ovulation itself may sometimes cause mild pain when the egg is released. We refer to this as mittelschmerz pain, the symptom of which is not inherently abnormal. However, in some women, the pain may be extreme and should warrant investigation to determine if there are any other possible causes such as endometriosis (the overgrowth of uterine tissue).