is this a cyst?

[char87]

My roommate has a problem and she's not sure if it's a cyst.  When she stands up, her ovaries start to throb, almost like a headache she says.  Her last two period have been extraordinarily light, and almost nonexistant.  She took a pregnancy test and she's not pregnant.  She says sometimes there's a lot of random cramping, even when she's not standing up.  What could this be?  She's very worried.

[Sandymac]

Just to add my total agreement with Cirella.. Her best bet is to see a physician.. I'd opt for a gynecologist..

Good luck ,
Sandy

[cirella]

Hi, your friend should make an appointment with a GYN just to be sure but there are a lot of other things this could be, too.  Intestines run in and around everything in there and it could be something to do with that.  

I know this Internet is a wonderful tool but I would not encourage her to go looking up things that she isn't sure she has.  It can be scary b/c the word cancer comes up a lot and we cannot self-diagnose.  The best place to start is either a primary care doctor or a gynecologist, since the pain seems to revolve around her periods.

Good luck to her.

[afierros]

I would definatly first make sure she has a good gyn and go get an ultrasound.  But let me back up.  Make sure she has medical coverage because if it is a cyst depending on the size the doctor may want to remove it surgically.  Why I say have insurance.  I learned the hard way.  I went in October for my ultraound and they found a 6cm (probably lemon size) on my left ovary.  When I tried applying for insurance in November I got turned down because ovarian cysts are considered a pre-exisiting condition.  Ok anyway.  If she has sharp stabbing pains that last a few seconds it could very well be and especially if it around the ovaries.  I am 35 years old and in August I started noticing little fast stabbing pains and I always associated it with getting close to my period.  When I did get it it was weird, one month I would start very spotty and it would go away.  I thought I was pregnant but wasn't.  The cysts always hurt the most 2 weeks before your period around the time of ovulating and sometimes after.  Let her calculate when she is ovulating and find out when do the pains hurt the most is it before, during, or after the period.  You can also google ovarian cysts and it will tell you lots of good info.  Almost all cysts are benign meaning they are not cancerous.  I think it's when women get older after menopause that it gets to be more of a concern if they develop them.  Good luck to your roommate and keep me posted.