Fibroids & Ovarian Cyst

[troubleatmill2011]

Diagnosed with 8cm fibroid and a smaller Ovarian Cyst via an Ultrasound yesterday. The consultant said both not sinister and nothing to worry about. Interested to know if anyone does how they can tell this from an Ultrasound? Anyway I'm back to my GP for a plan of action but wondered what my options are likely to be? I'm 42, been suffering with heavy / irregular periods with cramping and some abdominal pain. I'm on the mini pill too. Any insight would be appreciated from anyone going through similar? Thanks for reading

[EllenRipley]

I was diagnosed with a small fibroid about five years ago via ultrasound and have always put heavy/sore periods down to that. Have had a series of ultrasounds + CT scan this year due to some irregular bleeding & pain and they've seen cyst(s), which seem to alternate between ovaries and I'm due a laparoscopy in Nov to remove it/them and confirm possible endometriosis - from my many hours googling and talking with consultant, they can, generally, tell the kind of cyst it is due to its appearance in the ultrasound (it can also depend where you are in your cycle - some cysts are follicular and come and go). So mine was dark and had blood in it, therefore they're thinking endo. I wouldn't worry about the cyst if they haven't remarked on it, they're pretty common and they are probably expecting it to reduce on its own, especially if it's small. Do you have a follow up appt in a few months so they can check again? It's more likely the fibroid that's giving you issues. I took a supplement called DIM to regulate my estrogen levels and the fibroid has remained small - though I'm buggered if I know when or why the endo has appeared! I also had a ca125 blood test which came back a bit above normal which is why I can sent for further examination. I would think if they were concerned they'd have that checked too, it would possibly be raised due to your fibroid anyway.
Sorry that was so long winded! Ultrasounds are a first step in identifying problems and I'd be confident they're telling you the right thing. I would look into ways to manage the fibroid if it's causing problems though x

[troubleatmill2011]

Thanks Ellen that's very insightful. The consultant said to go back to my GP for follow up, he did say that sometimes a repeat ultrasound is done to see if Ovarian cyst has gone. My periods have been heavy for several months and bad cramping. This month I was late by 2 weeks and now I'm having a period but not so heavy but still cramping. It the unknown I guess as no no one with this condition despite it being very common. When you Google there is so much differing info too which doesn't help. I had extensive blood tests prior to my ultrasound which all came back negative, not sure if any were the CA125. I remember one was for white blood cells and also inflammation - is this anything similar? Thanks again for your reply, it's great to hear from someone who is going through similar

[EllenRipley]

Oh no problem at all! It frustrates me that women get these diagnoses and are just sent packing without any insight other than it's 'common' or 'your age'. I think gynae stuff like this is a bit of an unspoken epidemic, and any treatment seems to consist of removing or ablating your uterus or offering artificial hormones. I only found out that the primary cause of things like fibroids is hormonal imbalance because I went home and researched it, I wasn't offered any information! And then again I was told you have a cyst and probably endometriosis, live with it, off you go! I had to ask about surgical options and only found out they can't diagnose endo without actually opening u up from reading about it. It's a bloody minefield! Your blood test may have been ca125, I think it's an inflammatory marker but can sometimes identify risk of tumours. It also could have been a general test for an infection. Either way, it's good everything was normal and that they'll check the cyst again.
It's possible you are peri-menopausal? I'm 45 and definitely in that zone, either have no period or two a month. Hormones going batty, probably why I'm having current flare up. Make sure you're taking some iron supplements! I've used herbs, supplements and diet to try and manage things, but lots of trial and error - as you say, the Internet has a lot of contradictory advice. Haywire periods and pain can take over your life, especially in yr forties, so I do believe it's really important to try claw back some control, modern medicine often fails women in that respect. I really hope things settle down for you and you're reassured that they've not missed anything, but do explore your options if it's getting on top of you X

[troubleatmill2011]

Thanks Ellen for taking the time to reply again. My periods have been good for many, many years and the last 6/7 months have been so heavy and longer than usual being erratic is a whole different ball game - not the best surprise when you go toilet! I've been under some stress too which I guess can interfere with the normal running of things. I did wonder about peri menopause, blood tests so far are clear but I don't think this means much when you read up on it! I guess Mother Nature will let me know soon enough! x