“My ovaries just exploded,” said all us after seeing the latest Instagram snap of Home and Away’s James Stewart and daughter Scout. While there is zero scientific evidence that an adorable baby photo will actually make your ovary explode (duh), a Hollywood actress has taken to Instagram to let us know that our ovaries can flip or twist – and it’s a serious condition (and not cuteness-induced.)
So, what is a twisted ovary? Just ask Dawson’s Creek star Busy Phillipps who suffered from ovarian torsion (the medical term for a twisted ovary) while celebrating best friend and actress, Michelle Williams’ 37th birthday in Boston.
Us imagining the pain of a twisted ovary…
“Last night ended super weird,” she started to explain on her Instagram account.
“I had a crazy excruciating pain in my lower-right side.”
“And after a long time at Mass Gen, it was determined my ovary had flipped over.”
The actress, pictured laying in a hospital bed with an IV in her arm, was ironically wearing a jumper that said “hysterical female”. Hysteria having been a historical “mental disorder” said to affect women due to their ovaries.
Busy was lucky, and although she suffered awful pain, her ovary twisted back to its correct position on its own.
In some cases however, an operation is needed to flip the ovary. In severe cases of ovarian torsion, where the blood flow to the ovary is cut off for an extended period of time, necrosis (death) of the ovary can occur and in these cases the ovary must be surgically removed. According to Medscape, most patients with ovarian torsion have a delayed diagnosis, which is why Busy explains that it is so important to see a doctor immediately.
“My point of posting this was I felt like an idiot for going to the hospital,” the actress said.
“But ultimately, going was the right move! It always is. Even if they say you’re fine and send you on your way.”
Medscape explains, People with a twisted ovary often will a sudden onset (commonly during exercise or other agitating movement) of severe, lower abdominal pain that worsens over many hours.
Before the pain hit, Busy was having a wonderful time celebrating in matching best friend jackets with fellow Dawson’s Creek star Michelle Williams.
Post-hospital visit, Busy took to Instagram stories to share the love for her ovary and her fans, who had sent their wishes.
If you would like to learn more about this condition, seek advice from your trusted GP or gynecologist.
