Cyst? Hernia? Ectopic Pregnancy?

[katebobate88]

Hello -

Last night I found a large protrusion from my lower left abdomen, almost groin, the size of a golf ball.  I immediately thought I had a hernia, as I battled a very nasty virus earlier this week and was somewhat of an olympic puker.  I went to the doctor this morning, who, after feeling around (as the protrusion had subsided quite a bit), found the tender spot and informed me it was my ovary (why, at 28yrs old I think my ovaries are by my hips, I don't know), and so she did a CBC to check for an infection, and I was fine.  She wanted to schedule a pelvic and vaginal sonogram for later this afternoon, but I didn't have time, so it's on the booked for first thing Monday morning.

I'm not in any major pain, the protrusion just has a sort of a dull throb to it and tender to touch and press.

After getting dressed and chatting with her, she asked the obvious:  is it possible to be pregnant?  I said no, as I'm recently single, and mentioned my period WAS late by a few days last month, but I was traveling in Peru and assumed it was from adrenaline.  Then, thinking about it, I'm mentioned that I am actually about two weeks late now.  I told her no possibility of pregnancy, but looking at the timeline, i DID have intercourse on 8/20 before my break.  Since I DID get my period last month, just a few days late, but haven't gotten it this month, is it possible I am pregnant and having some sort of ectopic complication?  Would that explain this golf ball like goider on my abdomen, or could there be a real problem here relating to a hernia or my ovary?

Thanks so much in advance for your thoughts.

[whiteviolet]

Well, I'm not a doctor, so I can't really say whether 4 cysts are common or if the size is about normal.  I did have two hernias along with all of my medical problems that led to my surgery last week.  One was an umbilical hernia and the other was another type that was lower down in the abdomen, I can't recall the name right now.  Both were repaired during my surgery.  I can speak to the hernia surgery, but of course mine was in conjunction with a complete hysterectomy.  Because I had two hernias repaired, I woke up with a "binder" on.  It is a large, thick, stretchy type of material that wraps around you and closes tightly with velcro.  It started above my bellybutton and covered me all around to down below the hips.  This binder made it alot easier for me to be able to start turning over in bed, sitting up, standing up, and walking.  It is alot like an old fashioned "girdle".  The instructions that I had were no bending, no lifting, no reaching (just like with the hysterectomy), but also to wear the binder and be especially careful about those same movements.  The size of the cysts that you described are not large (they are under 5 cm)  so it is possible that they may not need to be removed and might not cause future problems if they are simple follicular cysts.  They might disappear on their own after you have another period or two.  I'm glad you are in close contact with your gynecologist and that he/she is keeping careful watch.  The hernias combined with the cysts can certainly cause alot of pain.  When will you have your hernia surgery?

[katebobate88]

Actually, I spoke too soon:  more results this morning show two cysts on each ovary.  The doctor says we'll check in on them in 6 weeks and see if there is any change in their size (they are approx 1.5 something...millimeters?  centimeters?).  She says they are on the larger side of small, so we'll just keep an eye on them until we see if they are changing.

So, my question is, are 4 cysts common?  Is the size about normal?  What should I be expecting?

[katebobate88]

Verdict:  hernia!  Located directly on top of my left ovary, hence the difficulty deciphering which was causing the swelling.  Ultrasounds verified the cause this morning.

On that note, anyone know what to expect with hernia surgery?

[whiteviolet]

I just had surgery last Tuesday for a very large ovarian cyst.  I did have alot of pain the last two weeks prior to my surgery, but I didn't have alot of specific pain prior to that.  I didn't even know that I had an ovarian cyst.  I had bladder problems, urinary tract infections, and pain in my upper thigh/groin, but no noticeable lump or specific pain.  I had a pap and pelvic in September, and both were normal.  The pain on the pelvic exam was normal (small).  My ovarian cyst was discovered with a CT scan of the bladder/pelvis, and then I was referred for a transvaginal ultrasound.  It was the first time I had ever had a transvaginal ultrasound, but it was relatively pain free, other than pressure on my bladder.  I also had a pelvic exam after I was referred to the gynecologist following the ultrasound.  That was somewhat more painful.  I'm not really why my pain level increase so much after the testing began and the cyst was discovered, perhaps it grew a lot during that two week period.  So, it's great that you'll be doing further testing on Monday.  Hopefully you can arrange things in your calendar to be able to take whatever referral appointments or additional tests as soon as possible so that you have a treatment plan.

[katebobate88]

Thank you!  The protrusion seems to grow and shrink randomly throughout the day...at the moment I can only feel it (feels like a round ball under the skin), but this afternoon a friend was able to see it from 5 feet away.  And no real pain, just a few little zingers here and there, that really could just be brushed off as gas or something.  Does that sound pretty typical of a cyst?

I'm telling myself that if it were serious I would be doubled over in pain and have other symptoms, so at least there's that.  Probably not the wisest idea for my sanity to schedule the sonograms for 72 hours later ;)  I'll know for sure on Monday and report back, thank you!

[hopeshell]

I have a friend who is very slim and her she has struggled with multiple ovarian cysts.  You can see them on her like you are describing.  So, my bet is that it is a cyst.  Most cysts turn out to be benign and go away on their own over time.  But, the ultrasound is the best next step to see what is happening.  I don't think you would see an ectopic prenancy like that.  Your fallopian tube would have ruptured with an ectopic before you would be able to see it visibly.  You would also likely have other symptoms.  Also, cysts frequently cause changes in your cycle.  Please let us know how it goes with your scan!  :)

Shelly

[MarieMichele]

It's most likely a cyst, but let the doctor do the ultrasound test to verify.