Lost

[Danna625]

I went to the doctor today and had a transvaginal ultrasound. The results showed that I have 2 cysts, one on each ovary. The one on my left ovary is of 4.74 cm in diameter, and the one on the right is of 3.36 cm in diameter. The doctor simply checked on my ultrasound results, asked me a few questions concerning the trend of my cycle, then gave me a prescription for Tranexamic acid (for my heavy menstrual bleeding) and Contraceptive pills (apparently for the cysts).

For years, I've been suffering extremely irregular menstrual flow. Sometimes, they'd last for s long as a month, stopping only for a day. Not only do they last long, but they're so heavy that I usually end up using about 12 sanitary pads in a day. Sometimes, I wouldn't even have my menstruation for as long as 6 months, and the whole cycle starts again.

For the past year, they somehow got a bit better. They lasted for only 5 days, coming every other month. Last June, my menstruation lasted from the 14th up until the 20th. Then by July 26, I had my period again. This came as a shock to me since my periods aren't like that. This time, it was even heavier and lasted for twelve days. Now that started to puzzle me even more. 5 days after it stopped, I started having these monstrous cramps that I never ever experienced before, and they radiated all the way to my lower back and to my lower spinal area.

On a scale of 1-10, my cramps usually are 4s and 5s, relatively bearable. But this time they hurt so much I rated them as a 7 or an 8. They bothered me so much, and I had no inkling at all that I would soon have my period again, just 7 days after my previous period stopped. Not only did it come that quickly, but I was bleeding all the more heavily. Plus the first bits were colored black.

Now I know the size of my cysts aren't that alarming. I also know they are relatively normal, even for my age. I'm 21, by the way. It's just that I still feel so lost. The thought cysts existing in both my ovaries freaks me out. Especially knowing that I have relatives that have had ovarian cancer. I also feel that the doctor was being too relaxed when she was assessing me. I feel she should have asked more questions and dug a little deeper, especially after I shared about my menstrual history.

I don't know. I guess I'm just being paranoid. Possibly because this monstrous stabbing, knotting pain that I feel is killing me, then I find out I have cysts and all that's being done is just this. Can anyone help me out here? Do you think I should get another opinion, even if the ob-gyn I went to is heard to be satisfactorily good at her job?

[MarieMichele]

It is possible there is a connection.  Try to imagine the forces involved and anything that gets a cyst bouncing inside you is bound to be detrimental to the cyst and/or the surrounding areas.  They are not like our other internal organs that are built to sustain the forces of running.  They are like an unwanted water balloon stuck inside you. I know that just walking fast after surgery was PAINFUL, so that tells me that there are a lot of forces at work when we are walking/running.

[Imsoupy]

I was just reading your response and I am a regular runner and my doctor has not mentioned at all to avoid any strenuous exercise. In fact, last week, I went for a run and I had to stop because I had this sudden sharp pain in my groin. I walked a block and then ran again and told myself that if I got that sharp pain again I would just continue with walking. Any connection?

[Danna625]

Thank you so much. I feel better now. I guess I just needed someone to talk to, especially someone who's been through the same thing.

She told me to come back as soon as I finish 3 packs of BC. So that makes it roughly three months. And sadly, she didn't say what kind of cysts they were. I don't even know where in my ovaries they are. The results saying nothing about them either. I just know their size, and that they're larger than my ovaries. So I'm guessing they're on the outer shelling? Oh I don't know. This is all just way above me. Haha

I just hope these cysts go away by then. I'd hate to resort to something as drastic as surgery. Keep your fingers crossed for me, MarieMichele! And thanks again. :)

[twitch01]

i would get a second opion just because someone says that a doctor is a very good doctor doesnt always mean that the doctor is a perfect and complete genius in that feild of work.

[MarieMichele]

You are very young which is to your advantage.  There is a chance the BC pills could benefit you.  It would take about a month or two to know for sure. I went through a similar dilemma when I was 17.

Did the doctor schedule a follow up exam?  Hopefully this will regulate your cycles, reduce the amount of blood in the cycle, and also reduce and eliminate the cysts, too.  Did the doctor describe what type of cysts they were?

Now if you start to get really unhealthy-feeling, get bloated to the point you look pregnant, nauseous, have urinary/bowel problems, extremely fatigued all the time, then the cysts are compromising your health.  If they get 5 cm in size and larger, have solid/irregular featues, then surgery is the better treatment.  I am sure your doctor is hoping the simpler solution will work first.  If the pain gets to the point it is unbearable and does not respond to pain killers, there's a chance the ovary/tube are getting twisted.  That needs an emergency call to the doctor or ER if that occurs.

Cysts always seem to hurt worse when we know they exist.  I would say try not to worry (yet) and let this first round of treatment have a chance to work.  Cysts are not an automatic indication of ovarian cancer.  Cysts are quite common especially when hormones are out of whack and that may be the case right now.  BC pills could straighten out the problem.  Best wishes!  Try to avoid strenous exercise until your condition improves so the cysts do not get jostled too much.