Unsure what to look for

[kcr01]

I had a pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound recently after complaining of frequent urination and feeling like my bladder never empties completely.  When I look at the screen during an ultrasound, no matter what it looks to me like nothing but a black and gray screen.  I can never make out images.  I guess maybe I'm radiology-blind or something, lol.

The tech doing the ultrasound didn't say anything to me during the pelvic ultrasound, and during the transvaginal I finally asked her how she knew what she was looking at, so she mumbled that that was my uterus on the screen (looked like nothing but a black hole to me) and she was going to look at my ovaries next, so I watched.  What I assume was my right ovary looked huge to me, and like a round shape, very full and circular, and what I assume was the left one looked smaller, but was almost long and thin, not even close to round. Like I said, they looked huge to me, but she could have just enlarged the image on the screen, in which case I have no way of knowing their actual size.

What would ovarian cysts look like?  Could I have one or more and have them not be felt on a regular gyn exam?  

Here's why I ask:  I'm 35 and have no children yet.  For a long time now I've had the bladder problem I described above, along with persistent fatigue that they can't explain after a million tests.  I'm a small person, but my stomach is always bloated and I always have a feeling of gas.  I have a little distention all the time, and if I eat or drink, forget it, it's pot-belly central.  I retain a lot of water - not enough to cause pitting edema, but enough that my ankles, belly and now suddenly my face are puffy.  I don't have "pain" per se, but have had a constant slight pressure on my right side that I just assumed was my bladder.  During intercourse I have some pain and it feels like something is being "bumped into."  I've been complaining about these things for several years.  

I'm on the pill so my periods are pretty regular.  I got off the pill last year and didn't get a period for 3 months, then got 2 in a row and went back on the pill.  As far as appearance, I had horrendous acne from the age of 10 (got my first period at 9!).  The pill seems to keep my skin under control some.  I have excess hair growth on my chin, upper lip, jawline, a bit on my lower back, nipples, etc.  It's extremely bothersome to me, but on the hirsutism scale I found online I'm only a 1 out of 5.

[shaddycat]

Hi
Did you get a result from your US?  Your situations sounds a lot like mine, not being able to empty my bladder properly and needing to go often.  I also have excess hair growth on my face and legs.  My US showed an 11cm mass on my left ovary which I am assuming is just a benign cyst, but of course can't be sure until I get surgery which is scheduled very soon.  If you want to talk about your result please get in touch.  Good luck!

[Sandymac]

Well, to begin with you're not expected to know how to read a US.. That's what the professionals are for so I wouldn't feel too badly about that..The "Techs" aren't supposed to say much of anything.. and she knows what she's looking at because that's what she's been trained to do.. Now, what has your Dr. said about the US? I'm sure he will be able to determine if you have cysts or not. And, they aren't always able to be felt during a regular exam .

Some of your symptoms sound like possibly PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (excess facial hair, etc.). But I'm not a Dr.

My suggestions is to talk with your Dr., to determine what was found on the US.. he will explain everything in depth to you. Mention ALL of your symptoms and go from there.

Good luck.