Does this sound like an ovarian cyst?

[Dogatetheleftovers]

I’m post menopausal and have had intermittent lower left side pain for a week. It’s intermittent, worse when I move/walk/bend etc but certainly the soreness is there all the time. I had IVF when I was younger and had ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome which caused very similar symptoms of sore and tender ovaries. Just wondered if anyone has had experience of post menopausal ovarian pain? I’m trying not to fear the worst reason for it but imagination does wander.

Should have added that I can’t see my GP for a month! I’m wondering if I should pay for a private ultra scan to see if it can give some answers. I don’t have private healthcare but it might give some reassurance.

I had a dermoid cyst a few years ago when in perimenopause - would have thought it would be the same symptoms though for post-menopause. It was pain in my side and also stabbing pains in my vagina, worse when I walked.

I had a private scan as the wait was so long for the NHS scan. You would still need to see the GP though to get a referral for a private scan though maybe?

I had a very large (melon sized) ovarian cyst when I was 15. The pain was less when I bent over. After I went for a wee the pain was less.

Maybe call 111. They can advise you. I think they can get you a gp appointment quicker, if they deem it necessary.

Thanks Tribblers and ColinTheCat for your posts. Were your cysts removed? I’ve been looking at private scans but they all seem to require GP referral. I’ve been taking painkillers but it’s not helping with the tenderness and pain on movement.

@Dogatetheleftovers

Thanks Tribblers and ColinTheCat for your posts. Were your cysts removed? I’ve been looking at private scans but they all seem to require GP referral. I’ve been taking painkillers but it’s not helping with the tenderness and pain on movement.

Yes mine was removed. I'm terrible about going to the doctors so left it about 2 months after the pain started. Then another 2 weeks until a scan.

At the scan they said it was a borderline size where they could just leave it, it was up to me whether I wanted the op to remove. Waited another 3 months for NHS op by which time it had grown to grapefruit size.

Not sure what to suggest as it's a month before you can see a GP. I think some kinds of cysts can burst (mine wasn't that type) so if the pain gets severe you could got to A&E.

Tribblers did the GP do an examination or was it just referral for scan? It’s so difficult to actually see a doctor at the moment so I’m wondering if they’ll be happy just making a referral for scan. The pain and tenderness is exactly the same as when I had ovarian hyper stimulation so that’s why I’m thinking cyst in ovary. Just hope it isn’t something more sinister 🥺

@Dogatetheleftovers

Tribblers did the GP do an examination or was it just referral for scan? It’s so difficult to actually see a doctor at the moment so I’m wondering if they’ll be happy just making a referral for scan. The pain and tenderness is exactly the same as when I had ovarian hyper stimulation so that’s why I’m thinking cyst in ovary. Just hope it isn’t something more sinister 🥺

I don't actually remember...I think they had a prod around externally. I also suddenly had very irregular periods as well so that might have contributed to the referral.

Sounds similar to my symptoms. I had persistent but intermittent pain in my left side (when peri meno), which was worse in various positions. It was a bit like a stitchey, stabbing type of pain from memory. I had my scan privately through my health insurance, I saw a private dr first who simply referred me. My gynecologist was great, she gave me progesterone to get rid of it. The next time I saw her, there were two . They took a while to go. I had a scan last week and I have another v small cyst on a follicle. This is years later. Buggers are persistent! Sure you will be fine but get a scan privately if you can, put your mind at ease

OP I was just like this several months ago. I had a scan three weeks ago. I've just in last 10 mins posted on another thread about having scan /getting results.

The symptoms that took me were just as you describe. Turning over in bed at night was really bad, pain woke me up. I had an awful three week wait and considered private but like you say, needed a GP referral. I could have got one though. I had been examined by GP. (I nearly shot through the roof when she touched area over left ovary). Phone your GP to ask, if they have decided you need one then they can write a referral for a private scan. That's what I was told but I waited in the end.

There was nothing found. When I asked GP for a cause I was told, it was probably due to 'painful ovaries'. No shit. Fortunately I like my GP she's fab, so i took her at her word. She said we will watch and wait as nothing found, (had bloods too - all good) and that it may well fade. After a total of 8 weeks it has. I'm to go back if it comes back.

Sorry, dont think this is much help or not but wanted to say there can be a vague non worrisome cause.

I just found out this week that the pain I have had since Christmas is an ovarian cyst - I only got scanned a fortnight ago, and I really wish I had just had a private ultrasound back in January. If I'd known it would take until May to get an answer, I would have had a private scan sooner.

Intermittent but persistent, worsening with movement, fades sometimes, but always comes back. Has never been as painful again as it was in December, now also radiates out to hip, groin, and sometimes buttock and thigh. But doesn't hurt when I push the area, or when someone else does.

Thanks everyone for your posts. Although I don’t like to read of anyone being in pain, it is reassuring that if it is a cyst then it should hopefully clear up. Managed to speak to GP today and she said to rest up which is nigh on impossible for me for family reasons. I had bloods taken 2 days ago for other symptoms, unrelated to this pelvic pain, and the doctor said she’ll contact the lab to see if they can use the sample to do a specific test which should show if there’s anything “God forbid serious going on” 🥺 So now I don’t know what to think. No offer of an examination or for me to be referred for a scan. Just that I’ll be called if there is a problem.

@Dogatetheleftovers

Thanks everyone for your posts. Although I don’t like to read of anyone being in pain, it is reassuring that if it is a cyst then it should hopefully clear up. Managed to speak to GP today and she said to rest up which is nigh on impossible for me for family reasons. I had bloods taken 2 days ago for other symptoms, unrelated to this pelvic pain, and the doctor said she’ll contact the lab to see if they can use the sample to do a specific test which should show if there’s anything “God forbid serious going on” 🥺 So now I don’t know what to think. No offer of an examination or for me to be referred for a scan. Just that I’ll be called if there is a problem.

How are you getting on now OP?

HowToBringABlushToTheSnow Thanks for thinking of me. The blood test thankfully came back ok which was reassuring and the pain settled for a couple of days. However it’s now started again and I’m not sure what to do next. The GP who was dealing with it has now gone on maternity leave so I’ll have to almost start again with a different doctor.
I’m going to see how it goes for a few days and then go from there.