Answer for any questions regarding pain on one side but cyst on thte other ovary

For anyone with that question, I have a possible answer as this happened to me.

I felt the pain on my right side but both at 2 exams, both doctors found the cyst on the left side.  

My gyn answer is that the ovaries flop around in the pelvis so that even though they feel one on each side, they may not know which one is left and which is right until they actually go in.

I thought that was interesting and does explain my situation.

[Gatsby]

Flopping ovaries???  What next, flipping uterus?  lol
~Tascha

[wubbie3]

The 'flopping ovaries' brings to my mind that toy that has two balls attached to a center stick, and you try to hit the balls together by swinging the stick. I've no idea what it's called, but it just seems funny!

[Nat2]

I had a large cyst on my left ovary (25 cm) but had a stitch like pain on my right (not anything obvious, very slight - and only started to feel it after I was diagonsed) - I think this may have been because of the size - it was starting to push things out of place on the right?

[fungirl]

I have never heard of flipping ovaries.  That is so funny.  Kasie

[nicca80]

I have just been diagnosed with a cyst on my right side but have had pain on the left?? Thought it was just me

[Raynbow]

I too am having pain on the right but the bigger cyst is on the left...and I have had my ovary and tube removed from the right 2mo. ago. I asked my doctor if it could be referred pain (meaning I have a problem on the left side and it radiates to the right) He said usually referred pain is on the same side (i.e. right abdomen hurts, right shoulder will hurt)...I have also never heard of this ovary 'flopping'...although, ovaries can twist on their pedicle (which is called torsion),  I have never heard they can "roll around" inside us like a man's testes do...our ovaries don't constantly 'churn' like that.  The ovaries are two oval-shaped organs that lie to the upper right and left of the uterus. They produce, store, and release eggs into the fallopian tubes. Each ovary measures about 1 1/2 to 2 inches (4 to 5 centimeters) in a grown woman.
There are two fallopian tubes, each attached to a side of the uterus. The fallopian tubes are about 4 inches (10 centimeters) long and about as wide as a piece of spaghetti. Within each tube is a tiny passageway no wider than a sewing needle. At the other end of each fallopian tube is a fringed area that looks like a funnel. This fringed area wraps around the ovary but doesn't completely attach to it....
So...I would think it couldn't reach to the other side anyway. Also, it is true that  if you have a large cyst pushing toward the other side you will feel the pain on there. Anyway, I'm not saying that you're wrong, I'm just giving out info so that you can double check this answer. Also, who's to say that they know everything about referred pain, maybe we do feel it opposite the 'problem side'. I feel like I shouldn't be able to feel a 6mm something or other on my right and I should feel the 4cm cyst on my left, but that hasn't been the case all the time. Interesting stuff, huh?
Take care,
(((Raynbow

[tracey702]

Its really weird reading this because I too felt discomfort originally on my left side but yet the scan showed problems on my right and no problem on the left.  I have heard about similar problems for people with eppendix pain, where they feel pain on the opposite side of their body.