Ovarian cysts

[Maternityleavelady]

Had a scan due to heavy/irregular periods (probably caused by starting HRT) but they have found ovarian cysts. GP is calling me about the results - what should I expect / be asking for going forward? Regular scans to ensure they are benign and not cancerous? Biopsy? Removal of ovaries?

Copied from notes on the NHS app in case useful:

The endometrium measured 6.6mm in thickness at expanded upper section and contains within it a 2.5mm collection of fluid. At the expanded upper section there is a suspicion of 2 to 3 polyps with largest measuring 6.4mm x 3.5mm x 6.1mm.

Rt ovary contains an avascular mixed echo pattern cyst with cystic component and echogenic elements. The lesion measures 21mm x 15mm x 19mm.
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The echogenic element measures 12mm x 11mm x 13mm. Blood vessels were noted in close proximity to Rt Ovary.
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Lt ovary contains a well defined, unilocular, anechoic, avascular 15mm x 16mm x 15mm cyst. The appearances are of a functional cyst.
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No free fluid noted in pelvis.

Thanks in advance for any insights!

If it were me I'd be asking
Are the cysts due to the hormones im taking
Can you tell how long they've been there
Do I need surgery?
How often will I be scanned for follow up to see the progression
Can you also suggest if tests for hormone levels in your blood are needed? Just wondering if a skew in your hormones due to HRT could cause these cysts to form. Did you have PCOS in which case if yes could this just be this issue

Good luck. I had a cyst but it was enormous when I found so I had surgery, but it was like 20cmx15cm so it needed to come out the following g day 😵‍💫

Thanks so much for your detailed reply @CatsWhiskerz and I hope all is well since your surgery - can’t believe how big yours was!

So they are referring me to gynaecology and are likely to do one or both of the following:

hysteroscopy to remove the polyps

keyhole surgery for the ovarian cysts

it has been marked as urgent but I note from my local NHS that gynaecology waits are 45 weeks for 9/10 patients

45 WEEKS 😵‍💫
Glad you've got a plan but goodness that's a wait! I guess it'll be around Christmas time so at least recovery will be snuggled up at home - I hope all goes well.
My cyst has grown a lot over many years they thought so I just got used to it and was a bit over weight so it hid well! Since then I've had 2 children and so far no further issues 17 years later

Yeah I really hope it will be quicker than that. Don’t want the polyps to turn cancerous if it’s a long wait - would look into getting it done privately if it’s going to be a long wait (depending on price - apparently the keyhole surgery would be very pricey if I had to pay).

That’s great that you haven’t had any further issues. I assume you don’t go for regular scans etc to ensure no new cysts?

I was marked as urgent but still had to wait 18 months,I was told it would be 6-8 weeks initially so I hope yours is quicker. Don't forget you can look at other hospitals with shorter lists.

Wow 18 months is very long, sorry to hear that. How would I go about finding and arranging to go to a hospital with a shorter waiting list? (I had a look online at all the hospitals near me and they all range between 43-46 weeks according to the NHS websites but I live in the south east so London and other areas are very accessible - and of course I would travel far if it was much quicker - but I assume my GP only refers within my local authority? Or can I ask my GP to refer elsewhere? (I am not sure the GP would actually know themselves what the wait time is - she said she didn’t know the other day; I only found out the wait time myself by looking on the hospital website)

I found out far too late but I think you can look up waiting lists and ask to be referred to specific hospitals, I'm not sure if that has to be within your authority.

OP

re your comment
"It has been marked as urgent but I note from my local NHS that gynaecology waits are 45 weeks for 9/10 patients"

Was not surprised to read that sadly, waiting times to see NHS gynaecology are miles long in many areas. It has been a problem now for some years and particularly since Covid.

Do you have private based health insurance through work, if so this may be covered under that. I would also consider contacting your local Nuffield and or Spire hospitals to see if they have a gynaecology dept on site. Would speak to your GP too about choose and book.

Given the choice between hysteroscopy to remove the polyps and keyhole surgery I would opt for keyhole surgery.

Functional cysts are usually benign but can cause discomfort and symptoms like pelvic pain.