Hemorrhagic cysts in both ovaries

[blue9396]

I was recently diagnosed with a 1.5 cm hemorrhagic cyst in the left ovary, possibly a dermoid, and was told to return in five weeks for a followup ultrasound.  I just had another ultrasound a few days ago and now I have a 3.9 cm hemorrhagic cyst in my right ovary.  The cyst in my left ovary hasn't changed at all.

When I had my last ultrasound, I was in the middle of my cycle and getting ready to ovulate.  I ovulated that afternoon and the pain was horrible.  It went all the way to my bowels and made it hard to sit or stand.  The pain lasted for about an hour and then subsided and now I feel a dull pressure in the area of my ovaries.  I have had this kind of pain many times in the past many years.  I always assocaited it with a painful ovulation.  Could it be that I have had hemorrhagic cysts in the past that burst when I ovulate?  Could this one have burst?  My periods are very regular, only slightly heavy the first day, and I rarely have pain in the pelvic region.  My ovulatory pain is usually tolerable, not like what I experienced the other day.

Can a hemorrhagic cyst that wasn't there five weeks ago suddenly form and grow to be 3.9 cm in a few short weeks?  Is there any association with ovarian cancer or is this completely different?  I have yet to see my gynocologist (I still need to set an appt).  Any information will be helpful.  (By the way, I'm 41 and have three kids).

[vallieanne]

There is a lot of information on the different types of cysts in the health pages on the top right corner of the cyst forum page, it may help you understand better the kind of cysts you've been diagnosed with.
There is only a small ratio of cysts being cancerous, the rate of them being benign is 95%.
I think that the best course of action for you is to make that gyn appointment so further tests can be done. Cysts can burst on their own and they are very painful when they do, and yours may have in the past. Your cysts aren't very big, so seeing the gyn sooner than later is necessary would be the best thing for you. He may do further testing to determine exactly what kind of cyst you have, a cat scan or mri. He may decide to do a watchful waiting over your next few cycles to see if they resolve themselves or grow, and if you have a dermoid, it may have to be removed. The good thing is that it is small enough to be done laparoscopically, and you will have a shorter recovery. That's why it's important to see the gyn before it gets bigger and could cause you more problems.
Call and make your appt. and let us know how it went.
Valerie