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hemorrhagic ovarian cyst

8 weeks into her first pregnancy, my 39 year old wife had a miscarriage. My wife's ob/gyn advised that she undergo a D&C, performed on 2/23/07. All tissue tests came back normal. However, the bleeding did not subside after a few days. A month after the D&C, the bleeding had not abated, and an ultrasound revealed an abnormal mass in the uterus and small ovarian cysts -- which caused the ob/gyn to suspect a partial molar pregnancy. However, tissue tests and an HCG test did not confirm this; the diagnosis was a large uterine clot. My wife's ob/gyn suggested a second D&C, but we decided to wait.

Nearly 2 months after the D&C, my wife was still bleeding on and off. A second ob/gyn recommended another D&C because she observed a closed cervix, and a uterus that had not returned to its pre-pregnancy size.

Last Friday (4/27), we spoke with my wife's ob/gyn, and he again suggested that we scheduled a D&C. No mention of ovarian cysts were made, but a pre-2nd D&C ultrasound showed a clear uterus, and also  a large ovarian cyst. Our ob/gyn ordered a CT scan (why not a MRI?), which revealed a large hemorrhagic ovarian cyst, 7cm x 8cm x 10cm.

My wife is not in any pain, but still bleeds slightly on and off, and has had no menses since December, but her ob/gyn now recommends laporoscopic surgery to remove the cyst, which otherwise "will not go away on its own." However, some research stresses that corpus luteum cysts DO go away by themselves, and that "Unfortunately, this [laporoscopy] is one of the most common reason for surgical removal of ovaries and ovarian cysts in premenopausal women."

Questions: 1) Should we wait or should we go through with the laporoscopy? 2) Should we get another opinion?

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Avatar universal
Celeste,

We just saw a gynecologist / oncologist, and he scared us. First of all, he began to use the word
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127512 tn?1193742216
I think the doctor here will only answer you once. Try posting a new post again.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for responding, Dr. Downing. In my initial posting, please note that a recent sonogram (and the CT scan) revealed that the uterus is clear, so a second D&C is no longer indicated. So the continued spotting would have to be due to the hemorrhagic cyst, wouldn't it?

Do you have any idea why a CT scan would be preferred to a MRI for a view of the cyst?

To what extent does having only one ovary affect fertility? I guess the risk of "torsing" would have to be weighed against the risk of complications from laparoscopy, wouldn't it?
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Avatar universal
Sorry to hear about your wifes problems.
Please get another opinion, asap. I would even try to find a specialist like an Gyn/ Oncologist. Not that she has to worry about cancer, but these doctors are very very specialized in cysts and masses and removing them. I know for a fact that most corpus luteums do resolve, though it can take many months, and it's certainly not true that the ovary MUST be removed.
I've had a large cyst on my left ovary for over 6 years now. It is believed to be an corpus luteum also. It often goes from 5x5 cm to as large as 12x11.4 cm's. Right now it is hemorrhagic and it's just recently become somewhat doubtful  that the ovary can be saved because of the size and total involvement of the ovary....but.....Even now, my gyn/oncologist is willing to try and save the ovary first and foremost.  I'm waiting again to see if it shrinks in size again before it is removed.

Please: Find a real good gyn surgeon that is willing to try and save the ovary.

Best wishes to your wife and yourself!
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