Worried, scared, anxious, terrified... Large ovarian cyst

[DeerHound01]

Hi all,

I'll try to keep it short 🤔 I'm 48 and last year my periods because irregular. I had two in August 20 days apart, then none in September, 2 in October, I spotted or bled all through November so went to see the nurse who did a swab for infection (negative), booked me in for a smear when the bleeding settled (negative) and referred me for an ultrasound scan. My periods have been regular again since December (every 24/25 days) except the one before last that was 10 days late.

I had my ultrasound (abdo and transvaginal) on Wed 30th April (cycle day 6)and the next day the nurse rang to say they'd found a large ovarian cyst (16x11x10cms😳). I've had health anxiety for most of my life so this has absolutely filled me dread and panic. I'll attach the report to see if anybody can make sense of it but it says suggestive of a heammorhagic cyst...I've been referred to gynaecology in community health services if that makes a difference?

I just can't seem to switch my mind off and can't stop thinking about Ovarian C (hate that word). I've googled and read that it's rare for this type of cyst to be this big.

My partner is about as supportive as a loaf of bread so I feel like I'm having to suffer in silence. Can anybody help to keep me sane?

Thank you! 🩷

Don't know if anybody can see the report because at this end it's saying images under review......

It is a bit of a case of wait and see as you go along, they will likely MRI then remove via keyhole surgery, sometimes it can be via a cut similar to a c section. Do you get pain/discomfort?

I don't get much pain at all really. A bit crampy at times like slight period pains. I sometimes have a few twinges around ovulation time. I have an achy hip now and again but I put that down to age

I had a hemorrhagic cyst found during miscarriage, it was 7x7 so large but not as large as yours. I've never had serious period pain/cramps and no pain I could associate with it. They scanned again after a year (during which I worried a lot), it hadn't changed so I think they're just leaving it now. But I imagine they'd want to remove yours just because of the size.

I had a haemorrhagic cyst about 6x6 which they wanted to remove due to its size. I refused and it disappeared itself but I suspect they’ll want to take yours out.

Had lots of experience of this. Don’t worry, they haven’t used the language they use when suspecting cancer. And the fact they couldn’t identify your ovaries suggests the radiographer could have struggled (or been a bit rubbish) and could actually just be an ovary (as they say). Think you’ll be fine

Hey! I’m currently undergoing tests and planning for surgery for a 21cm ovarian cyst! I was referred under 2ww because they wanted to get me seen quickly, since then I’ve been signed off that because my cyst is fluid filled, but been referred for an MRI to plan for surgery. Fingers crossed for you, but feel free to ask me any questions about anything to soothe your worries, I was so worried when i first found out about mine but I am armed with knowledge now!