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Regular periods, 9mm cyst on each ovary...cystectomy?
Okay, I've finally scheduled surgery for 12/03/10, and I have read about several women in my position who have had to have their ovaries completely removed because of the size of the cysts. But here's the problem: I'm 38 years old, I'm not married, and I obviously want to preserve fertility. My question is as follows:
For those of you who had to have you ovaries removed, were you having regular periods before the surgery? Mine have been like clockwork since I was 12, and I haven't had any pain. However, I have been told that mine is going to be a difficult surgery, so I'm freaking out a bit.
Needless to say, I am absolutely terrified that I'm going to go into surgery with both ovaries, and come out of surgery sterile.
Please tell me, in your experience, whether removal of my ovaries is more/less likely if I'm having regular periods?
For those of you who had to have you ovaries removed, were you having regular periods before the surgery? Mine have been like clockwork since I was 12, and I haven't had any pain. However, I have been told that mine is going to be a difficult surgery, so I'm freaking out a bit.
Needless to say, I am absolutely terrified that I'm going to go into surgery with both ovaries, and come out of surgery sterile.
Please tell me, in your experience, whether removal of my ovaries is more/less likely if I'm having regular periods?
Best Answer
Two 9 cm cysts mean a lot of size, weight and pressure on the ovaries, tubes and surrounding organs. I guess regular periods is a good sign that they are not disrupting ovarian function and hopefully that means they can be removed without harming the ovary. Just be sure to remind your surgeon of your wishes to preserve the ovaries. You may have to say it more than once...and again on the day of the surgery when you are in preparation for it. As long as the cysts are benign they should strive to save ovaries. You can still be quite fertile with a single ovary if it came to that outcome. If they detect cancer, then the ovaries simply have to be removed because they are more of a danger to you than beneficial. Hopefully all will turn out exactly as you wish...the cysts will be gone, benign, and the ovaries will be saved. Much depends also on the experience level of the surgeon.
I'm not sure if it matters if your periods are regular or not before hand, I know in my situation I only lost an ovary because of how large the tumor was. I am 5 weeks post op from an emergency laparotomy with a 12 inch vertical incision due to a 30cm ovarian tumor that was found when I visited the ER due to a stomach ache. It weighed 20 pounds. Was rushed into surgery & when I came out was told they had to remove my right ovary, right Fallopian tube, and appendix, also a small cyst off of my left ovary. I was upset because I just turned 24 and have no children and was worried of only having 1 ovary left. They said they would have left it if the tumor wasn't wrapped around everything destroying it all. I honestly think your ovaries will stay. Do you have cysts on each ovary? I missed that information somewhere. I hope my story gives you some relief that you will be ok! I am just happy to be alive and healthy and on the way to recovery.
Why have surgery at all for 9 mm cysts? They might just be functional cysts from ovulation. I cannot see a reason to subject yourself to surgery and the resulting adhesions and scar tissue for something so small unless there is something you did not tell us. Regular periods also indicates no health problems. I am confused!
The good news is that your cysts are very small. 9mm is less than 1cm. Cysts do not become worrisome until they reach 5cm or greater (50mm or greater). So, I think you are ok. Your doctor may prescribe birth control pills to help shrink your small cyst. Otherwiese, it will likely go away on its own. I would try to preserve your ovaries and work on regulating your hormones. It is unlikely that this will impair your fertility!
Best wishes!
Shelly
Best wishes!
Shelly
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