discomfort fro ovarian cysts

[Aquinnah]

I have been monitored for over a year now with one remaining ovarian cyst. Last it was checked it had increased from just under 5 cm to 5.7cm, but looks bening. I will go back for more checks. Recently I have felt far more discomfort (not really pain) but am never sure if it is wind or cyst or just my worry that brings my attention to it. After all this is nothing like mittelschmertz that I used to have in my younger years. I am 57. So: is it plausable that a cyst of 5.7 cm could be causing discomfort/ mild tenderness? Though not hugely painful, it is sort of just under my consciousness at all times at present, mildly niggling away.

[Aquinnah]

Thanks for all your answers! No I don't think I have cancer , either (or at least the likelihood is very low, as I have learned)- though when this first came up (15 months ago) I was extremely scared as I had a cyst on each ovary, one was septated and the initial doctor (not the gyn/onc guy) thought it had solid areas too. So no sleep (true!!) for a 2 weeks except with the assistance of chemicals in tablet form - something I had never used before in my life!!!! the septated cyst, which was the smaller of the two disappeared before I knew it. I am under an gyn/onc specialist, so I am lucky, and I could go back before October when I am due to see him and have an u/s again. Unless my discomfort turns to pain I will stick with october, as I have reasonable confidence in the guy. By the way, I have throughout found the Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologist guidelines for 'Ovarian cysts in Post menopausal women' very useful. If anyone is interested look it up and head for the 'green topped guidelines'. The management I have received has followed those pretty closely.

I do really feel for all of you much younger people who are coping with these fears and some of you as single parents. Not easy! Hope you all have support in other forms, too, family friends, whatever. It's not easy, either, when you are older (like me) but at least I no longer have responsibiliy for younger children and facing these sorts of things at the same time. So best of luck, good wishes, whatever, to all of you whi have to cope with this. ( and having read some threads on some other comments , let's not forget we are all different and cope with difficulties in different ways - and in my view there is always more than one truth - eg looking at things from diffierent angles gives different views, and that's just fine!)

[wubbie3]

Oh yeah... you can feel discomfort from a cyst of any size. Mine was only 3.8cm and it hurt like blazes!
So your cyst can defintely be the cause!
~Marianne

[fungirl]

Hi and welcome to the site.  Discomfort and gas are a definate sign of your cyst.  Maybe it is time to get removed after waiting for so long. Keep in mind that 99% of ovarian cysts are begnin.  I encourage you to get a second opinion from a gyn/onc (no, I do not think you have cancer) because they have 3 more years of schooling, and they specialize in the female reproductive system.  Keep us posted.  Kasie

[suzsen]

I had a 5 cm cyst and I could definitely feel it.  I knew when it arrived, and I knew when it left (lucky me, it vanished on its own).  So yes, you can have discomfort from a 5 cm cyst!