Ovarian cysts

I went off birth control 4 years ago and ever since then I have been developing ovarian cysts.  Sometimes i get lower back pain that extends down my buttocks and feels like sciatica . I also get what feels like menstral cramping after intense exercise. During ovulation i also experience uncomfortable cramping.  My periods are pretty regular (maybe off by 5 days tops) and they are not heavy, just normal and they last about 4 days. The pain i get during some periods is so intense, i want to throw up and i feel like i am literally dying.  It is not like that every period, but every second or third however they are always quite painful although some worse than others. I suspect the worst pain is possibly when a cyst is bursting and this can occur anytime during the month and not just the period.  This is really affecting my life. I don't know what to do.  Would going back on birth control help.  Why do i get the cramping when i work out sometimes? Are these little cysts bursting?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
that sounds really rough. Cysts and menstrual cramps are, unfortunately , not rare for young menstruating women.Iit is definitely one of the reasons to stay on birthcontrol. Luckiliy it is rare for these to be signs of ovarian cancer. I do wonder if you might have endometriosis. You should ask your doctor about a laparoscopy to take a look and understand exactly what is going on.

Also check out the ovarian cyst forum at medhelp for discussion of the managements of ovarian cysts that are not related to ovarin cancer
good luck

[cassandramarie]

Hi thanks for your response. My last ultrasound showed normal thickness of endo lining plus my periods are regular and not heavy so it doesn't sound like endo however I guess anything is possible.  I will ask for a laparoscopy.  Thanks