Ovarian Cyst Questions

[rainyday562]

Hi all, I went to the doctor on Tuesday complaining of pelvic pressure type feelings and she sent me for a transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasound. I receieved the results yesterday that they found a cyst on my right ovary, and it appears to be filled with blood or bleeding? I believe those were the words my CRNP used. She also said that she "wasnt worried and i shouldnt be too worried about it". She said that it was recommended I get an MRI which i am scheduled for tomorrow. 1. Does anyone know why an MRI is being recommended? Also, I called my uncle who is a doctor of OB/GYN and he said that although he cannot see the ultrasound, he would imagine it is either a corpus luteal cyst or an endometrioma. 2. Has anyone experienced either of these types of cysts? Any feedback/advice/support would be greatly appreciated because i am somewhat lost and nervous at this point. Thank you in advance.

[rainyday562]

Thank you so much for your reply, it was very helpful. I have been so worried. I am already on BC pills and have been for 7 years. Maybe the one I am on is low-dose but I guess I can ask the doctor about that. Endometriosis is something that has never crossed my mind and has never been discussed with any doctor but I have been told that each person who has it has a different experience. Do these cysts (either type- but more so the endometrioma) cause infertility or make it really tough to get pregnant?

This seems to be the biggest thing on my mind because I am getting closer to that point. I don't really know too much at this point, I dont know what they suspect it to be or how big the cyst is either. I guess I wille eventually find out more. I hope you are doing well and wish you best of luck with your experience as well.

[hopeshell]

It sounds like you have gotten excellent care.  A MRI is the best exam to show soft tissue like the ovaries and cysts.  It will more clearly show the size and content of the cyst.  A corpus luteum cyst is very common.  It may rupture about the time of menstruation, and take up to three months to disappear entirely. Endometriomas are cysts that form when endometrial tissue grows in the ovaries.  They are also called "chocolate cysts" because they are filled with dark blood. Monthly hormonal changes cause them to grow.  They often show up as complex on a scan but are usually benign and related to endometriosis.  They too can go away on their own. Sometimes they will give you birth control pills to try to regulate your hormones and help them go away.  The general rule for surgery is if a cyst reaches 5cm or larger and is complex (has solid parts), then it should be removed.  Otherwise, your doctor will do periodic checks to make sure the cyst is not growing.   Most cysts (even large complex ones) turn out to be benign.

I have been diagnosed with both corpus luteum cysts (many times) and an endometrioma.  I had surgery for the endometrioma when I was a teenager because it was persistent and I was in pain.   I don't think I really needed that surgery though.  At the time, the doctors were also worried about my appendix so I kind of got thrown into surgery.  Usually they go away without surgery.  Throughout my lifetime and pregnancies, I was told I had cysts.  Three years ago, I was told I had 6cm complex mass and it did turn out to be early staged ovarian cancer.  My doctors don't feel it is related in any way to my prior cysts.  Most of the time, those who have cysts do NOT get ovarian cancer.  That is just my experience.  Good luck with your MRI.  This test will definitely give you more information about your cyst.