Woman Has Ovarian Tumor Removed, But Surgeons Discover Something Else

After more than a decade of debilitating stomach pain, bloating and irregular periods, a 22-year-old woman finally received a diagnosis that explained her symptoms-and led to a startling discovery during surgery.

Oli, who asked to be identified by her first name only, told Newsweek she had spent years searching for answers as her symptoms worsened from childhood into adulthood.

“I have been struggling with chronic pain from quite a young age,” Oli said. “I spent my whole life until I was 18 in and out of emergency rooms with severe stomach cramping.”

Alongside the pain, Oli experienced severe bloating, irregular menstrual cycles and excessive body hair. At times, her symptoms became so severe they included fever and vomiting.

Yet, despite years of seeking medical help, Oli said she often felt her concerns were dismissed.

Years of Symptoms, Few Answers

“Doctors largely ignored my claims of pain and other complaints,” Oli said.

“I have dealt with many doctors and nurses over the years tell me how normal it is for young to women to have irregular periods like I do.”

Her experience echoes findings from a 2024 survey conducted by the Victorian Government in Australia, which found that one in three women felt dismissed or not taken seriously when seeking medical care.

Determined to get answers, Oli sought private medical care at the age of 18, paying to see a gynecologist.

Blood tests and an ultrasound revealed the cause of her symptoms: dermoid cysts on her ovaries.

What Is an Ovarian Dermoid Cyst?

Dermoid cysts, also known as mature cystic teratomas, are the most common type of benign ovarian tumor in both adults and adolescents, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). They account for around 70 percent of benign ovarian masses in premenopausal individuals and about 20 percent after menopause.

These cysts are made up of tissues from all three germ layers-ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm-and can contain structures such as skin, hair, teeth, fat and muscle. When primarily made up of ectodermal tissue, they are referred to as dermoid cysts.

“The results came back I was told I had a 4-centimeter [1.6-inch] dermoid cyst on my right ovary and a smaller one on my left,” Oli said.

Despite the diagnosis, she faced a long wait for treatment.

It took four years before she was able to have surgery to remove the tumor, which had grown significantly in that time.

Surgeons Discover an Unusual Feature

Last month, in May, surgeons removed the 9-ounce mass-and discovered it had developed a tooth, a known but unusual feature of dermoid cysts.

“I removed the tooth from the remaining tissue and cleaned it at home where it now sits in a trinket box in my bedroom,” Oli said.

Since the procedure, she has seen a dramatic improvement in her symptoms.

“I am healing very well and feeling much better, my bloating and daily stomach pain is gone, and I have been able to stop taking pain medication for it,” Oli said. “I am basically back to normal.”

For Oli, the experience has been both physically and emotionally transformative-bringing closure to years of unexplained pain and offering a renewed sense of normalcy after more than a decade of being unheard.

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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 8:04 AM.