Hi, in March of this year I developed about a one inch lump on the right lower pelvic region. My primary doctor decided to have both a pelvic and ultrasound done and found a one inch cyst on my right ovary. Since than I have met with my GYN and had another ultrasound done. The results of the second ultrasound has shown no change in size. I am experiencing some discomfort in the same region as the ovarian cyst and my GYN doesn't seem to think the discomfort is being caused by the cyst. She has not really discussed matter in detail other than telling me the size and that it has not changed. My GYN has percribed me 2 months of birth control to try to shrink the size of the cyst. I am not only still feeling discomfort in this region but I am haveing all kinds of side affects from the birth control pill. The GYN has advised me to stay on the prescrption until finished.
Other than completeing the prescription and following up with the GYN, what else can I do?
I am concerned because I am only 23 yrs. of age and I don't feel the GYN is giveing me the entire story. She sounds like she doesn't believe that I am experiencing discomfort in the same region as the cyst or that I don't know my own body. I have had to do all the research by myself. I feel that the GYN should be telling all of my options and should be more atuned with my patient history that I am giving her.
One more thing...
I have mesh that was put in for a repair of a hernia behind my bellybutton. Would this make a difference in what type of surgery I can have?
Hi There,
Your question reminds me very much of one I answered on laparotomy vs laparoscopy. I refer you to that answer from 7/5/2006. I reviewed the issues of when to do a laparoscopy versus a laparotomy. It sounds like with your three previous abdominal surgeries, I would lean towards a laparotomy. Mesh in and of itself would not alter my decision of laparoscopy vs laparotomy. It is possible to go through the mesh or find a different location for the initial laparoscopic incision.
However, ultimately you have to rely on your gynecologic surgeon's recommendations because a recommendation in the absence of personally doing a pelvic exam and reviewing the actual films, is only half a recommendation.
Most cysts are benign but there is no preoperative tests that will definitively let us know. I know it is a horrible anxiety until you know for sure. For an unchanging 5 cm complex cyst, either a general gynecologic surgeron or a gyn oncologist would be fine. Please let me know what happens.