Ovarian cyst- do they grow and shrink?

[SignificantSalamander]

A few months ago a multilocular complex cyst was found on my ovary. The ultrasound said it was 5cm, then an MRI a few weeks later said it was 3cm so the consultant said they would be rescanning in a few months to keep an eye on it. I know sometimes they disappear, but do they sometimes grow again? Are complex cysts affected by my cycle? Has anyone had any experience with this sort of thing?

Hi - not sure if this is the same thing, but I had a dermoid cyst which I had removed earlier in the year. Before it was removed, it was diagnosed as 3 different types of cyst and various sizes between 2-6cm! It ended up being 5cm when removed and would have always been the same size. I think sometimes it's difficult to tell sizes and types, so perhaps it's possible it has always been the same size?

Dermoid cysts are ones they tend to remove but other can come and go and they just keep an eye on them.

@Missrainbows that's a good point. Why did they decide to remove yours? How did they decide they were sure of the size?!

And does the fact it's hurting change things? Does that mean it's growing or does it just do that?

Many menstruating women have a cyst that grows throughout the month on one side (on the ovary that is ovulating). It then disappears and shrinks when the period comes and then during the next month it grows on the other side. These are called functional cysts.

I don’t know from your description whether this is a functional cyst or not. It is reassuring that they are keeping an eye on it. It might be worth logging when and if you get any pain / irregular bleeding so that you can mention it to your consultant next time. I hope it settles down for you.

Are you pre-menopausal OP? TTC Any pain with it? I'm not familiar with the type of cyst you mentioned OP. I had a scan for retained products post MC, and they found a 5cm cyst. The lady doing the U/S pressed and asked if I'd had pain etc, but I hadn't at all. She said that many women have a cyst which they aren't aware of which can come/go and would only know if they happen to have a scan.

Sorry if TMI, but I had opened my bowels and then got the most awful, pulling, sharp pain in the opposite side in my pelvis to where the cyst had been. I got no relief from lying on a bed, curling into a ball, having a shower, taking analgesia etc. I was about to call an ambulance when it finally subsided. I have no idea whether it was that cyst bursting, or another one. I had a scan 6mths afterwards and many more, none of which showed that cyst again. I don't have PCOS.

Its good they are keeping an eye on yours and hopefully it will just shrink and never return.

@vincettenoir it's not functional, it's complex but I can't remember what type it is. Not dermoid though.

@JC03745 I'm pre menopausal, already have kids so not TTC. I do get aches and cramps in that side. Good idea to keep a note of when it happens.

They can come and go … I had one hey we’re monitoring but I had a really sharp pain and then the next time they scanned it was gone so it had burst…. It’s normal to get occasional ones but if you are in pain keep getting it checked

They were never sure which is why the consultant decided to remove. I never had pain or any issues, they only found it originally due to a scan for something else. It is good they are keeping an eye on it, hopefully if you have another scan / a few scans they might get a better idea or decide to remove. But I can see you have had good advice from others about other types of cyst as well.

Thanks. They're going to re scan next month so hopefully I'll know more then. Feel like I'm in limbo a bit at the moment!