Aa
Surgery or not?
Hi there, I would really appreciate any advice anyone might have to offer. Here is my story:
I've had frequent urination for the past 18 months at the least. I didn't think much of it because I've always gone more often than most people I know (although there was a definite change), and also because I was incredibly unaware it could be related to serious health issues.
In April, I had a bad UTI/possible kidney infection and ended up in the ER with blood in urine, bad flank pain, etc. Had a kidney ultrasound done and was told I had two small kidney stones, was given antibiotics and referred to a urologist, and then sent home.
I went to the urologist who looked at the ultrasound and told me I didn't have kidney stones and was totally fine. Since then, another urologist (who I trust and respect more) has also looked at the u/s and u/s report and said my kidneys are totally fine. That first Urologist sent me on my way (he was also a jerk but that's another story). However, over the next few months I had two or three additional UTIs. I have never before had a problem with UTIs and nothing changed in my hygiene, sexual behavior, etc. to cause them.
I went back to the Urologist office and thankfully was able to see the jerk's office partner who was much more open and understanding about my worries. I was having some flank pain, continuing frequent urination and continued bacteria in my urine. The doctor decided to give me a bladder ultrasound and cystoscopy (looking into bladder), in addiction to antibiotic prophylaxis to try and get rid of UTI for good.
My bladder looks great, and like I said, so do my kidneys. However, the urologist noticed that what he thought was my uterus was pressing on my bladder. He ordered a pelvic u/s, which I had 3.5 weeks ago. I had never even considered that my urinary symptoms might be related to my reproductive system. However, I began to notice that in addition to my continued frequent urination I also had lower back, right side and hip pain. At one point what I believed to be my right ovary hurt to the touch. I still have varying levels of back/hip/side pain. I have a history of anxiety and a suggestible personality, and with my google searches regarding pelvic masses causing me to worry, it's very hard for me to tell how much of my pain is psychosomatic.
HOWEVER, the results from the pelvic (trans-ab and trans-vag) u/s 3.5 weeks ago stated that I had a 5.9 cm complex right ovarian cyst, as well as a small amount of free fluid in the cul-de-sac. Everything else was normal. The report stated that the cyst "may be hemorrhagic."
I scheduled a gynecologist appt, which I had a week and a half ago. I brought the u/a report and the dr and I agreed to schedule a laparoscopic surgery for 9/30. I was relieved not only that my pain (and the complications that I've had for half a year) have a reason, but also that there hopefully was an end in sight. Even through my fears of cancer, I felt happy to be taking action and that the gyn agreed it should be removed, given the size and the fact that it is complex.
The gyn then scheduled me for one more pelvic u/s to see if there were any changes before the surgery. I had that done last Friday. Today, I heard from the doctor that my cyst has shrunk - from 5.9 to 2.1 cm! I honestly can't believe it. Part of me is thrilled because it seems unlikely for a malignant cyst to shrink by such a large amount, but part of me is just confused. I had an answer, a reason for the pain and frequent urination that I continue I experience. And now I am questioning whether a cyst that shrunk so much could have caused and could still be causing y symptoms. I have had frequent urination for at least a year and a half. I have had recurrent UTIs for six months, and have now had right hip, pelvic and back pain for at least a month. What is going on inside my body?!?!?
The dr is still okay with going ahead with the surgery, although she says she's not concerned and we can also wait three months then do another u/s. I feel a little silly getting a 2 cm cyst removed, but I can't help but wonder whether it has been growing and shrinking this whole time. I've read a few accounts of this happening. At this point I just want to know what's going on, as well as relieving my symptoms, and feel as though removing the cyst and doing a biopsy will give some insight.
Does anyone have an opinion or knowledge they could share to help me in this situation? I have been very clear with the dr that I want to keep all of my reproductive organs and don't feel that's a risk going into the surgery, but of course surgery is never a small deal. I don't want to make this decision lightly but my gut is telling me to go through with it. I guess I feel like the cyst has proven to me over the past six months that it's not something that's just going to go away - so I want to deal with it now. What do you think?
I've had frequent urination for the past 18 months at the least. I didn't think much of it because I've always gone more often than most people I know (although there was a definite change), and also because I was incredibly unaware it could be related to serious health issues.
In April, I had a bad UTI/possible kidney infection and ended up in the ER with blood in urine, bad flank pain, etc. Had a kidney ultrasound done and was told I had two small kidney stones, was given antibiotics and referred to a urologist, and then sent home.
I went to the urologist who looked at the ultrasound and told me I didn't have kidney stones and was totally fine. Since then, another urologist (who I trust and respect more) has also looked at the u/s and u/s report and said my kidneys are totally fine. That first Urologist sent me on my way (he was also a jerk but that's another story). However, over the next few months I had two or three additional UTIs. I have never before had a problem with UTIs and nothing changed in my hygiene, sexual behavior, etc. to cause them.
I went back to the Urologist office and thankfully was able to see the jerk's office partner who was much more open and understanding about my worries. I was having some flank pain, continuing frequent urination and continued bacteria in my urine. The doctor decided to give me a bladder ultrasound and cystoscopy (looking into bladder), in addiction to antibiotic prophylaxis to try and get rid of UTI for good.
My bladder looks great, and like I said, so do my kidneys. However, the urologist noticed that what he thought was my uterus was pressing on my bladder. He ordered a pelvic u/s, which I had 3.5 weeks ago. I had never even considered that my urinary symptoms might be related to my reproductive system. However, I began to notice that in addition to my continued frequent urination I also had lower back, right side and hip pain. At one point what I believed to be my right ovary hurt to the touch. I still have varying levels of back/hip/side pain. I have a history of anxiety and a suggestible personality, and with my google searches regarding pelvic masses causing me to worry, it's very hard for me to tell how much of my pain is psychosomatic.
HOWEVER, the results from the pelvic (trans-ab and trans-vag) u/s 3.5 weeks ago stated that I had a 5.9 cm complex right ovarian cyst, as well as a small amount of free fluid in the cul-de-sac. Everything else was normal. The report stated that the cyst "may be hemorrhagic."
I scheduled a gynecologist appt, which I had a week and a half ago. I brought the u/a report and the dr and I agreed to schedule a laparoscopic surgery for 9/30. I was relieved not only that my pain (and the complications that I've had for half a year) have a reason, but also that there hopefully was an end in sight. Even through my fears of cancer, I felt happy to be taking action and that the gyn agreed it should be removed, given the size and the fact that it is complex.
The gyn then scheduled me for one more pelvic u/s to see if there were any changes before the surgery. I had that done last Friday. Today, I heard from the doctor that my cyst has shrunk - from 5.9 to 2.1 cm! I honestly can't believe it. Part of me is thrilled because it seems unlikely for a malignant cyst to shrink by such a large amount, but part of me is just confused. I had an answer, a reason for the pain and frequent urination that I continue I experience. And now I am questioning whether a cyst that shrunk so much could have caused and could still be causing y symptoms. I have had frequent urination for at least a year and a half. I have had recurrent UTIs for six months, and have now had right hip, pelvic and back pain for at least a month. What is going on inside my body?!?!?
The dr is still okay with going ahead with the surgery, although she says she's not concerned and we can also wait three months then do another u/s. I feel a little silly getting a 2 cm cyst removed, but I can't help but wonder whether it has been growing and shrinking this whole time. I've read a few accounts of this happening. At this point I just want to know what's going on, as well as relieving my symptoms, and feel as though removing the cyst and doing a biopsy will give some insight.
Does anyone have an opinion or knowledge they could share to help me in this situation? I have been very clear with the dr that I want to keep all of my reproductive organs and don't feel that's a risk going into the surgery, but of course surgery is never a small deal. I don't want to make this decision lightly but my gut is telling me to go through with it. I guess I feel like the cyst has proven to me over the past six months that it's not something that's just going to go away - so I want to deal with it now. What do you think?
I do not think your symptoms are psychosomatic. Repeated UTIs are caused by something. Do you have digestive issues? Sometimes people don't like to talk about digestion, and want to solve the less embarrassing problems first and then try to get help for digestion.
So you had an IVP and cystoscopy and you are on antibiotics now? So why are you having stones? What is out of balance? You could do a 24-hour urine collection.
I think it is fine to have the cyst removed if only to rule it out as a cause of pain. Of course make sure your surgeon has a good reputation.
So you had an IVP and cystoscopy and you are on antibiotics now? So why are you having stones? What is out of balance? You could do a 24-hour urine collection.
I think it is fine to have the cyst removed if only to rule it out as a cause of pain. Of course make sure your surgeon has a good reputation.
Hi, and thank you so much for your reply!
I agree that my symptoms aren't psychosomatic, especially because it all clicked in my mind as soon as I knew I had a right ovarian cyst. That's where the pain is for the most part.
I don't have digestive issues. Even with the antibiotics I am on, I take a probiotic and my stomach, intestines, etc seem to be functioning as they have for the rest of my life previously, and I am very "regular" haha as I have always been. I'm learning that it's very hard to understand my body but I would guess my issues are not digestive.
I don't have stones - I was somehow misinformed at the ER (maybe something to do with the fact that it was hectic and I wasn't a top priority...), but two urologists have since looked at my renal ultrasound and there are no stones. I am on antibiotics for another month as prophylaxis because I did have recurring UTIs. As of my two most recent tests, I no longer have bacteria in my urine and it is normal in all other ways. I am hoping that once I am off the antibiotic this will remain the same.
I believe the UTIs and frequent urination (which I still have) were caused by the ovarian cyst putting pressure on my bladder. The gynecologist said this is possible. I am very slim especially in the waist/pelvis area and I wonder if that has something to do with it - nowhere for anything to go if there's something that's not meant to be there! I have never been able to feel the cyst, nor has it protruded, even when it was 5.9 cm, which is amazing to me.
Thank you so much for your reassurance that removing the cyst will be helpful. As of now, I think it is the lost likely culprit for my problems and even though it has shrunk I worry that it will continue to cause problems. Thank you again! :-)
I agree that my symptoms aren't psychosomatic, especially because it all clicked in my mind as soon as I knew I had a right ovarian cyst. That's where the pain is for the most part.
I don't have digestive issues. Even with the antibiotics I am on, I take a probiotic and my stomach, intestines, etc seem to be functioning as they have for the rest of my life previously, and I am very "regular" haha as I have always been. I'm learning that it's very hard to understand my body but I would guess my issues are not digestive.
I don't have stones - I was somehow misinformed at the ER (maybe something to do with the fact that it was hectic and I wasn't a top priority...), but two urologists have since looked at my renal ultrasound and there are no stones. I am on antibiotics for another month as prophylaxis because I did have recurring UTIs. As of my two most recent tests, I no longer have bacteria in my urine and it is normal in all other ways. I am hoping that once I am off the antibiotic this will remain the same.
I believe the UTIs and frequent urination (which I still have) were caused by the ovarian cyst putting pressure on my bladder. The gynecologist said this is possible. I am very slim especially in the waist/pelvis area and I wonder if that has something to do with it - nowhere for anything to go if there's something that's not meant to be there! I have never been able to feel the cyst, nor has it protruded, even when it was 5.9 cm, which is amazing to me.
Thank you so much for your reassurance that removing the cyst will be helpful. As of now, I think it is the lost likely culprit for my problems and even though it has shrunk I worry that it will continue to cause problems. Thank you again! :-)
COMMUNITY LEADER
In my case, I did not listen to my gut and regret it. But my gut said something was not right about my gyn's plan for surgery for an ovarian cyst but I went ahead with it anyway because I had trusted him for 20 years.
Most ovarian cysts (even complex ones) are benign. And many cysts do resolve on their own. Even ones that appear complex (hemorrhagic can appear complex) sometimes disappear. If you do not have a predisposition for ovarian cancer, then your lifetime risk is less than 2%.
As far as the UTI, are you having any symptoms of low estrogen (vaginal dryness or discomfort, hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, etc.)? Low estrogen can cause changes to the urogenital tissues resulting in more frequent UTI's. Vaginal estrogen can be helpful in preventing these infections.
My cyst was much larger than yours (9.5 cm) and I do not recall having more frequent urination. If I did, I do not think it was extremely so or I would have recalled that. I was (and still am for the most part) very slim but I do not think that matters as far as pressure from the cyst. Heavier women have more omentum than us so it would seem to be even more of an issue for them.
Most ovarian cysts (even complex ones) are benign. And many cysts do resolve on their own. Even ones that appear complex (hemorrhagic can appear complex) sometimes disappear. If you do not have a predisposition for ovarian cancer, then your lifetime risk is less than 2%.
As far as the UTI, are you having any symptoms of low estrogen (vaginal dryness or discomfort, hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, etc.)? Low estrogen can cause changes to the urogenital tissues resulting in more frequent UTI's. Vaginal estrogen can be helpful in preventing these infections.
My cyst was much larger than yours (9.5 cm) and I do not recall having more frequent urination. If I did, I do not think it was extremely so or I would have recalled that. I was (and still am for the most part) very slim but I do not think that matters as far as pressure from the cyst. Heavier women have more omentum than us so it would seem to be even more of an issue for them.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Ovarian Cysts Community
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.
