When to worry about complex ovarian cyst

[mlbjab]

I am a 35 year old women, have 3 children, breastfed all of them for a minimum of 1 year, have a history of melanoma, took birth control pills for 9 years, had abnormal pap resulting in cryotherapy and normal paps since.  I have had a burning aching pain in abdomen for months along with longer than normal periods.  I had my annual exam and a mass was felt on my rt ovary.  Internal vaginal ultrasound was done and I was told that a complex cyst was seen with internal septations and a smaller possible cyst inside other cyst, there was also fluid in my abdomen.  This u/s was done by a nurse in the Dr office.  They sent me for another u/s yesterday and i am awaiting those results.  No one has called me yet.  I'm very nervous about this cyst.  So my question is, when is a complex cyst something to worry about?  I have been regular my entire life until recently.  I have also conceived the first month of trying 5 times, so I know my ovaries were doing there job.  Last week, I suddenly had intense abdominal pain followed by extreme flushing of my face.  It was VERY odd.  I now wonder if thise cyst may have ruptured then?  But if it ruptured would it immediately go away, or does rupture occur gradually?  Thank you!

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
thanx Eva for your reassuring comments.
I agree.  Most cysts are benign.Alot of "complex" cysts are actually just cysts of ovulation. However, a cyst that is persistent is greater than 4 cm should be removed as it can sometimes twist and cause pain.
It is unlikely that your melanoma history is related to this. But any additional risk factors for a problem (a personal history of cancer, a family history of cancer) leads me to be extra conservative and consider laparoscopy.
best wishes

[eva_las_vegas]

I had the same intense abdominal pain with flushig of my face; I ended up fainting as well.  Come to find out I had a 9cm complex ovarian cyst on my left ovary with smaller cysts inside of it; also some undetermined thickening in my ovary which had twisted when I turned a certain way.  It sounds like we have similar stories.  I ended up having a laproscopy done to remove the cysts and the also found a smaller cyst on my right ovary.  Surgery went great with minimal recovery time (I have 2 small children).  Good luck!