Just found out I have ovarian cysts and feel very scared

[ScaredMe89]

So... after a long break, I have finally visited my country of origin. I have been having some abdominal pain for 6 months, so I decided to go to a gynecologist here. She asked me to lie down and straight after starting my exam with her hands said that she was feeling a bump on the left side of my belly... then she performed intravaginal ultrasound and took some photos. In the photo she gave me it is written that I have a cyst on my left ovary and it is 5.89 cm x 4.78 cm. On the paper document it is also stated that endometriosis is suspected and that I also have a 3 cm corpus luteum cyst on my right ovary. The doctor says that as I live in the UK, I should go for another exam privately straight after my period and also that a surgery might be necessary for my left ovary.
She didn't explain anything more, so I have the following questions (maybe someone can answer from their experience?):

1. First of all, is the cyst on my left ovary (in the photo) considered big and dangerous? The doctor told me to avoid strenuous exercising and really act on the situation, otherwise I might end up in an emergency department one day.
2. She also said that my internal lady parts are weirdly 'pulled back' towards my spine. I have actually been having back pain for a while. Does it mean that endometriosis might have changed the position of my uterus and ovaries?
3. Is laparoscopy the only way to confirm I have endometriosis?
4. If I must have a surgery, is there any chance to save my ovary, or the cyst in the photo is just way too big?
5. Is it possible they will remove both ovaries and uterus due to some unexpected complications during the surgery, for example, if suddenly I start bleeding uncontrollably?
6. How long might I wait for a surgery on the nhs? I live close to Edinburgh.
7. What process should I follow if the private doctor in the UK confirms that I need a surgery? Should I then go to my GP with the documents or to a hospital in my area?
8. And...why did she tell me to go to the private doctor straight after my period (5-6 days after the first day of bleeding)?

If someone can give me some clarity, I will be so grateful.

Hey, sorry you're going through this. I had an 8/9cm cyst on my left ovary a few years. I'll try and answer some of your questions.

1. My cyst was larger than yours but my doctor was not concerned that it was particularly large. He may have told you to avoid strenuous exercise as there is a small chance that the cyst could twist and cause torsion. You will know if this happens because the pain is very severe (I vomited in pain when I had ovarion torsion, it was unmistakable). You should get yourself to an A&E if this happens as you will need the cyst removed ASAP.

1. That's an odd turn of phrase from the doctor. Possibly you have a retroverted uterus? I have heard scar tissue can cause issues like this too.

1. Despite having cysts and quite a lot of scarring, I have never been diagnosed so I'm not sure, sorry.

1. There is every chance it can be saved! Mine could not as I had torsion which cut off the blood flow and they could not remove it straight away as I was in late pregnancy at the time. By the time it could be removed when baby was born, the ovary had died. Every chance this won't happen in your case. I was told my fertility would not be affected as the remaining ovary takes over and that seems to be the case as I am pregnant again 3 years later

1. I would think very, very unlikely. They may be able to do it with keyhole surgery? I was to be scheduled for keyhole surgery but as it happened I needed a csection and they removed the cyst at the same time.

6,7,8 - I'm sorry I'm not in the UK and can't answer these.

Hope you get sorted soon OP, try not to worry, there's every chance it would be a very simple operation and recovery for you

You do need to get it sorted ASAP - so push to get seen and make a fuss that it hurts to get things moving ASAP.

I had a dermoid cyst of 11cm on one ovary. I had it removed by keyhole surgery - I let them take out the ovary as it was simpler, but even at that size they’d have tried to save the ovary if I’d wanted.

It sounds like you have a few things going on and it’s not going to be clear what it is till you have it all looked at - so getting seen quickly is your goal.

It's clear you have a lot of questions..we are not medical professionals so please do seek real life advice.

Endometriosis can only be diagnosed by a laparoscopy.

A corpus luteum means you ovulated from that ovary.

Can't see a photo of the cyst but they may need to remove it. Likely via laparoscopoc surgery. The chance of them removing both ovaries and your uterus is slim, but is a very very small risk with surgery there. I had laparoscopy for an ectopic pregnancy and on the consent forms it said in very rare cases that may be needed.

Wait times are long due to covid/generally long anyway. However your cyst you may be seen as more urgent. I am awaiting a laparoscopy for endometriosis and I've waited a year already with no sign of it any time soon.