Ovarian Cysts after Menopause

[elisabeth7]

I have been in horrible pain, I am 46, haven't had a period in well over 18 months. I have had spotting of dark blood, nasia, dizziness, lightheaded, bloated,lower right pelvic pain. This was my second visit to E.R. since 07 and they told me I have ovarian cysts. This last time the E.R. Dr. also told me I have fibroids, which another E.R. Dr. told me approx 14 years ago when I had the same problem, however, the regular gyn Dr. says it's nothing. It's my understanding that 12 months straight of no periods IS menopause and you shouldn't be getting cysts, but the Dr. says it's o.k. they sometimes form, and even though the E.R. Dr saw fibroids, he didn't and refused to do any further testing. I AM IN PAIN! I don't want to be taking pain medication, I want to live without pain. My current gyno told me I'm too young for menopause that the average age is 51, even though it runs in my family, he told me in about 5 years I won't hurt anymore.

[Sandymac]

Hi,
   I "started " menopause at around 48 years of age. I say "started" because it isn't just a quicky thing.. Takes many years.. And just this year (many years later ), I had a cyst removed .. well actually they took the entire ovary.. Actually it's not that unusual.

Now, the spotting may be of concern. I had the same thing --again some years ago-- and my Dr. insisted on uterine biopsy.. Can't remember exactly what they called it then.. done in office but VERY uncomfortable. In any case, don't want to frighten you, but that may be something you need to check into. Then again, it could very well be the fibroids.

I do want to let you know about our ovarian Cyst Forum. You may want to visit over there since there is a LOT of information on cysts.

I think I may be tempted to get a second opinion ?? How were your cysts diagnosed? Through a transvaginal ultrasound?  

Come see us on the ovarian Cyst forum. You'll no doubt hear from a lot more folks..

Take care,
Sandy

[ChrisP2236]

Ireneo is right - it is probably a good idea to get another opinion.  The spotting would concern me if you've gone 18 months without a period and now have these symptoms.  It could be hormonal, it could very well be the fibroids, but it could also be something else like uterine cancer.  I was through with menopause when my cysts were found.  I had the ovary removed and it was malignant and I found a gyn/onc to do the follow-up surgery.  He asked me if I had had any bleeding - at that point I hadn't.  However, right before the surgery I did have an incident of bleeding (very slight) and he was quite concerned when I told him that as my cancer is hormone producing and if not caught early can also lead to uterine cancer - post-menopausal spotting is one indication of it.  I'm not trying to scare you but just to encourage you to be your own advocate and find out what is going on. Find a dr who takes your symptoms seriously.
Best wishes, Chris P    

[kmccarthy]

I agree with ireneo.

[ireneo]

I won't say what I'm thinking. Let's just say I disagree. A woman can go into menopause in her 40's. It's not that unusual. Yes, you can still develop cysts after being in menopause. I did; I grew a 10cm cyst and had it removed a few months ago. You shouldn't have to live in pain till you're 51 and at the "average age" of menopause. That's baloney.

Usually they say you're menopausal if you haven't had a period for 12 months. But there is a chance you have a thyroid or hormonal imbalance going on. Menopause is better but you need some kind of answers to all of this. Not just live in pain for 5 years. Arrgghh!