67 year old with "young" ovaries

[chumsmum]

My mom had an ultrasound today...they decided to also do an internal ultrasound.  The technician said her ovaries were similar to a 30 year old...she was complimented, but he said it is not normal...that they should be much older looking!  What does/can this mean?  She did have a cyst as well...and he suggested follow up in 3 - 4 months - does this mean he felt there wasn't a lot to be concerned about?

Thanks!

[ireneo]

Ha, I love those comments. I hear about doctors who tell young people they're too young to have heart problems, send them home and ignore them. Only a few years later they find out they really did have heart problems.

In my case, I'm 57, post menopausal for the past 5 years but I managed to grow a 10 cm cyst on my ovary. So pooh pooh on doctors that think we're too old to have cysts. It happens.

It's not unusual for appts. to be a few weeks after the scans and testing are done. They initially found a swollen area in my abdomen in November but I didn't have the surgery till February. Everything turned out fine.

[chumsmum]

thanks.  She saw the ob/gyn the next day...he did a ca125 test - said results won't be in until January 6th - is that normal?  He scheduled tentatively for Jan. 25th...but based on the results of the bloodwork...she actually had cysts on both ovaries.  I believe that's what is meant by young...being as at her age, she shouldn't be having cysts as she does.  I'm crossing my fingers all is well...she was actually in for something unrelated...so has no symptoms of anything at all...please say a little prayer that all is well...

thanks,

laureen

[ireneo]

I'm not sure what they mean by "old" vs "young" ovaries either. Perhaps ovaries in young women are a certain size and smooth in appearance. We "mature" women may have irregular ovaries that have atrophied a bit so they're smaller over all.

[TrudieC]

It is common to keep an eye on cysts to see if they resolve themselves.  Did they say what size and type of cysts?  Some are more concerning than others.  Has your Mom been on any kind of hormone replacement?