confused about ovarian scan

[bananacarnival]

Hi, wonder if anyone could help clear up some confusion for me. I need to have a scan on my ovaries as pain is becoming unbearable.

About two years ago, I had a private scan (transvaginal) and it showed a 22mm simple fluid filled cyst on my left ovary. No concern. My NHS appt came in 2 weeks later, AFTER I'd ovulated, and the ultrasound (regular ) didn't pick up any cyst at all. Nothing.

So now, two years later, the pain is back with a vengeance and lasts for about a week of my cycle. I want to get a private scan done again, but having spoke to the advisor, I was told I can be scanned any day of my cycle. Wouldn't it be better post ovulation ?

In your experience whats the best time to be scanned? My concern is for ovarian cancer.

Thanks

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

How long have you had this type of pain for?.

Is this pain cyclical in nature?. Does it coincide with your period?. Is pain more apparant leading up to menses?.

I would keep a daily pain and symptom diary if you do not already do so as this would give the gynae clues.

Why are you concerned about ovarian cancer?. Do you have any other symptoms or have any familial history of this?.

If endometriosis is actually the root cause of the pain it will not be detected on any ultrasound scan.

What do you mean by advisor?. I would be speaking to the gynae as a matter of course and take it from there. Ovulation is not an exact science and a woman can ovulate earlier, later or not at all in any given cycle.

[bananacarnival]

Thanks Attila,
The pain begins once my period is over right up to about day 16 of my cycle. It's mainly left side. It spreads down my leg too. So between day 8 and 16. Roughly. Very bad over the past few months. Have had it on off over a ten yr period but this so far is the worse. And most persistent ie every month.

Worrying about ovarian cancer because I don't know if a problematic cyst can turn cancerous. Just want to make sure theres nothing there other than general ovulation pain.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Endometriosis can also cause the symptoms you describe. It can also affect the sciatic nerves causing pain down legs. Also the pain you describe is cyclical in nature which is yet another indicator. Endo can be closely linked to "chocolate cysts" on the ovaries; these are not cancerous but these can and do cause problems and pain.

General ovulation pain as well does not act like you describe nor goes on for so long.

I would see a gynae asap and ask him straight out whether he thinks that endometriosis is a possible cause for all these symptoms.

[bananacarnival]

Thanks Attila I'll go back to the Gp and request a referral to the gynae...instead of just booking in for a private scan.

[digerd]

I think everything is different for each individual.
My daughter was diagnosed with a large cyst on her ovary, and told to wait 6 weeks. She had no pain but her periods were erratic. As her mother I was terrified it might be ovarian cancer as fell under many of the at risk factors. But after 6 weeks, the cyst had disappeared to a tiny dot which was normal.

I know of another woman, who had been to drs re. pain and was told it was period pain - her stomach swelled to looking 6 months pregnant with fluid and Ovarian cancer was diagnosed. She is doing fine now.

The latter is much rarer than cysts, but could be other things and you should have more investigations.
Good Luck -

[bananacarnival]

Thanks digered, you're right.