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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Tell me about ovarian cysts.

20 replies

GeorgianMumto5 · 29/04/2013 22:32

I learned today that I have an ovarian cyst, measuring 8cm.

Anyone know anything about them?

I've had been intermittent pain in my left side and irregular bleeding (on cerazette) for a while and ridiculously heavy periods for eons prior to that.

A brief consultation with Dr Google suggests that cysts up to 6cm are bog-standard normal and most 'cause no symptoms'. Mine is bigger and with symptoms, so I'm a bit cheesed off about that. Apparently it may get 'drained, removed or monitored'. Monitored is my least favourite option, because it's not like it's minding it's own business.

Any advice or experience?

Thanks.

OP posts:

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GeorgianMumto5 · 30/04/2013 08:52

Bump. Anyone had one of these?

OP posts:

wonkylegs · 30/04/2013 09:00

Sorry I only knew I had one when it burst and I was hospitalised with complications. It was a very unpleasant experience which hurt and awful lot and left me feeling drained for weeks afterwards.
If you are having unpleasant symptoms I would push your GP for further treatment/investigation.

Sugarice · 30/04/2013 09:26

I had 2 ovarian cysts along with Endometriosis.

I was monitored every three months with scans and blood tests for about a year. The one cyst continued to grow over the time so I ended up having a Hysterectomy as the Endo was everywhere plus my surgeon was getting concerned that my c125 was getting higher too.

It was the best decision I could have made but I'm 44 and have had my children.

Are you due another clinic appointment with your consultant?

Huffpot · 30/04/2013 09:33

I've had 2 ovarian cysts. The first was found through my first pregnancy and monitored. It grew rapidly to about the same size as yours. I fell pregnant unexpectedly with my second DS and they operated when I was 9 weeks pregnant to remove it and burnt off the start of new ones on my ovary.
Then after about a year I grew a new one which they monitored for about 6 months. It was significantly smaller but caused lots of pain in my side and ribs so they operated again and removed it along with 3/4 of my ovary. Am only 34 and want more children so they saved as much as they could.

If its causing you pain make sure they know and they should remove it

Good luck x

GeorgianMumto5 · 30/04/2013 10:16

Thanks.

I'm 42 and am done having babies. I'm up for any solution which stops the hideous periods and gets rid of the discomfort in my side, without the terror of artificial hormones.

I have to call the GP surgery next week. I'll tell them it hurts - thanks for the tip. I tend to downplay any pain I'm in (long-term health problems - if I went on about it, I'd never stop, so have made conscious decision to ignore much of it), but I'll make an effort to acknowledge and talk about this. It's unrelated to my usual problems, but the downplaying has become a general habit of mine.

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edwardcullensotherwoman · 30/04/2013 10:38

My mum was rushed in last year with abdominal pain, cyst a similar size to yours was discovered. She was put on a waiting list and had surgery last week, they drained and removed it, along with both ovaries so as to avoid more problems.

She'd had issues much as you describe for as long as I can remember. I have to say even a couple of days after the surgery she looked infinitely better, she had just looked drained before, (and was looking tired following surgery obviously) but I think the surgery will have made a huge difference once she's fully recovered from it.

She's the same - downplays things and just gets on with it, but with this she kept insisting on surgery which turned out to be the best thing for her.

Sorry, I've waffled a bit, but hope I've helped a little bit

Sugarice · 30/04/2013 10:47

Georgian I don't take hrt following my surgery but I do take a good quality soya tablet which seems to keep any major menopausal symtoms at bay and I feel fab, just the odd hot flush everyday but nothing unbearable.

As I said, the hysterectomy was the best decision I could have made, I just didn't realise it until afterwards.

HDEE · 30/04/2013 10:51

I've had two. First one ruptured and I had peritonitis, second one less than a year later was removed. It measured over ten inches across and was the size of a basketball.

That was 12 years ago and I've not had any issues since.

Bumpsadaisie · 30/04/2013 11:06

I'm at home recovering from having a dermoid cyst removed - 8cm by 8 cm on my right ovary.

Periods had been normal and unproblematic but would get abdominal pain from time to time. Usually it passed within days and I would forget about it. This time it was much worse - constant agony in my lower right abdomen. Was blue lighted in and they removed it with keyhole surgery. I'm a bit sore post op but really much better.

It had leaked fluid into the pelvis which causes pain. Also the weight of the ovary on the tube (enlarged by the cyst) had caused the tube to twist, v painful.

I had my ovary and tube removed on that side too.

If I were you I'd get yours sorted before you get to the agony stage!

Hth

MegaClutterSlut · 30/04/2013 11:25

I think I have one atm. for the last 6 weeks I have been having intense intermittent abdominal pain in my left side with lower back pain and pelvic pain/pressure. I have a scan on friday thank god. It has taken me this long to convince my doctor it's not a sprained back that they keep on saying it is

Bumpsadaisie · 30/04/2013 11:30

Hope you get it sorted Mega definitely worth it!

GeorgianMumto5 · 02/05/2013 23:01

Thanks everyone. I've been advised to phone the go surgery next week.

Mega, I hear you. I've had months of trying to get someone to agree to investigating why, rather than just throwing pills at me. Finally found a gp who agreed instantly. Unfortunately she then forgot to do anything about it until I called back, some months later.

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MegaClutterSlut · 03/05/2013 11:20

Thanks guys :)

It's just so frustrating when they tell you it's 'this' and you know it isn't. In the last 6 weeks alone I have been to the docs 4 times (have seen a different doc each time) and A&E once because of the pain. Each time they have given me pain killers. They just see on the screen that the first doc put 'sprained muscle' and they all just agree with that without even listening to me. Luckily the last doc did, just pissed off that I have been left to suffer this long

Hopefully today I will get some answers as the pains not getting any better :( hope you get yours sorted soon op

kerstina · 03/05/2013 12:25

Can I ask those you who have had ovarian cysts in past if you have ever used antidepressants in particular seroxat. Only i just have a hunch that they might cause them. When i first started taking seroxat it interfered with my cycle making it late and I only developed cysts after taking it.
Might be totally wrong but just wondered if there was any link.

GeorgianMumto5 · 03/05/2013 13:21

Kerstina, I've never used any. I have been on cerazette (pill) and wonder if that is implicated.

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Hamnvik · 03/05/2013 13:34

I've just had two dermoid cysts removed one on each ovary each 8x6. I didn't know I had them, only found during my 12 week scan. They were monitored during pregnancy with a view to having them removed afterwards but as it happens I had to have a section and they took them out then without having to remove my ovaries.
Do you know what kind of cyst they are? I think that makes a difference to what they do, dermoids are slow growing and less likely to burst as they are more fatty etc but if they get too big they might twist.

GeorgianMumto5 · 03/05/2013 13:57

Not yet. The sonographer didn't say. My own diagnosis extends to, 'Intermittently painful and sometimes I can feel a hard lump.'

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orangeflutie · 03/05/2013 16:20

Hi I've had three cysts, the first one was discovered when I had endometrial ablation for very heavy periods. The gynae performed a laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) and discovered I had a 'chocolate' cyst of about 5cm caused by endometriosis which was also removed at the time.

Since then I've had two more, each time by my left ovary. When I had surgery last September to remove the last one I opted to have my left ovary removed in the hope that I wouldn't get any more. I don't think I currently have any more but the pain on my left is back, likely to be the return of more endometriosis or adhesions caused by the repeat surgeries

I would recommend you go to the doctors who will probably refer you for an ultrasound and then to a gynae who specialises in endometriosis as judging by your symptoms it does sound like you have it.

I wanted to leave one of my cysts as was reluctant to have more surgery but I had a lot of pain with it and there was a risk it might rupture. The general rule is surgery for any cysts over 4 cm.

HTH

orangeflutie · 03/05/2013 16:21

Sorry didn't read your post properly. I see you've already had an ultrasound oops!

GeorgianMumto5 · 03/05/2013 23:54

Thanks, Orange. I'll ask if endo is a possibility.

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