Ovarian cysts are a common yet rarely talked about condition, affecting about three million women each year in the United States. Most are benign and go away on their own, but in some cases, they can grow and lead to serious complications—rupturing or causing twisting of the ovary.

“I didn’t know much about ovarian cysts at all,” says Dori Paulino, who recently had surgery at NYU Langone Health to remove her nearly 4-inch cyst. “My symptoms were so subtle and mild that it went undetected for almost three years. If there’s something that you feel is not quite yet, don’t just put it off or dismiss it.”

Dori’s surgeon, Taraneh Shirazian, MD, associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Langone who specializes in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, joined CBS This Morning to discuss ovarian cyst awareness.

“If a cyst gets big enough, it may create a feeling or pressure or even pain,” says Dr. Shirazian. “Other possible symptoms of large cysts include feeling bloating, unanticipated weight gain, pain on one side of your lower abdomen, and painful periods. These symptoms can be easy to ignore, but if you’re noticing many of these together, that’s a good reason to see your doctor for an evaluation.”

Watch the segment on CBS This Morning.