Ovarian Cysts

[Cheryl13]

Hi. I am almost 37 years old (in a couple of weeks). I have never had children. I have been having several symptoms and didn't know that they all had to do with each other...or at least possibly do. I have always gotten my period very regularly, I could tell you to the day when I would get it. Until recently. I started to get my period almost every 10 days, give or take a couple and it lasts longer than usual. I have low back pain, leg and hip pain, and groin pain in my left groin. I am bloated and I get fairly bad abdominal pain and/or indigestion. I also have been going between diarrhea and constipation. And I have to urinate a lot. I've also been having a little shortness of breath, which seems to show up after I have eaten an then feel more bloated than before I have eaten. I had a transvaginal ultrasound that found a left cyst 4.5x4.4x3.4 and my left ovary messured 5.3x4.7x3.5. They say that one is a simple cyst. On the right they found a smaller cyst 1.5x1.1x1.1 and this one has internal debris. I have been put on birth control pills to see if they will shrink. And I am scheduled for a 2nd transvaginal at the end of October. I've been taking the birth control pills for 2 weeks now. How long does it take for them to start shrinking and if they start shrinking would I know because I should start to feel better? I'm very concerned. I really feel awful. It's very uncomfortable. When I said to my doctor that this is probably nothing and will resolve themselves she said she couldn't say that. The last couple of days I my groin and hips have been hurting a lot. I take advil but it doesn't seem to help. What are the chances that these cysts are more than just cysts?

Thank you in advance for all of your help.

Cheryl

[mkecupcakequeen]

38, SWF, no pregnancies. RNY postop june 05.

For about 6-8 months I have been experiencing more frequent periods with heavy clotting. Around the same time, and I didnt realize it at the time, I felt that my anti depressants for pmdd, that I have been taking for years, seemed to stop working. I made appts. to have pap test. 2 of 3 times my period started unexpectedly the day before. Each time I kept the appts. to have my antidepressants reevaluated.

I finally had my pap on monday. After the pap, he decided that I should I have a series of blood tests: prolactin, tsh, follicle stimulating hormone, lutein, cbc and differntial. He also scheduled me for a transvag and pelvic ultrasound in 3 weeks.

He is sooo quick to leave on to the next patient, I didnt get to ask him what his train of thought was.

Any thoughts?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Carrie
You need to see your doctor for an evaluation
take care

[CarrieTexass]

I have ovarian cysts which the doctor said arent too big, though I think they are 3 of them.

I was wondering if it is common for such severe pain down my left leg?  I cant even sleep.  I am about to start my period, but havent yet.  I'm such a worry wart I think about blood clots and fear the worst.  Though I dont see any swelling or redness anywhere.  I just cant believe how painful it is to sit, lay down, etc.  

So I guess I am just curious if cysts can cause extreme leg pain?

Thank you for your time and consideration and have a great day!!

Carrie =)

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi there
cul de sac is the anatomical location between the back of the uterus and the rectum
bowel is a general word for intestine
You should ask your doctor about the relationship of your pain with the cysts. it is hard to answer that without doing a physical exam
best wishes

[Cheryl13]

I have another question in addtion to the question about my ultra sound, I had asked as a second part to my 1st question, on my ultrasound it said Cul de sac: Bowel. What does that mean? And also I've been having more pain could this mean that the cysts are shrinking and the BCP's are working? Or could it mean that they aren't going away?

[Cheryl13]

Thank you for your response. I have another question, on the report from my transvaginal ultrasound it said Cul de sac: Bowel. What does that mean?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,
It can take a few months for resolution of a cyst of ovulation. You have a good plan set out by your doctor. Another test that can be helpful is a CT scan. That will look for abnormal fluid collections in the upper abdomen that can make you feel bloated and short of breath. If that is normal, waiting until the end of October makes sense
take care