Do Ovarian Cysts Affect Period?

[bobdylanfan]

I was told last month that I have two small functional cysts on one ovary (each 2 cm) and what appears to be a ruptured cyst near my right ovary. During that time, I was experiencing mysterious pelvic pain and a weird period which caused me to go to my gyno and ask for a transvaginal ultrasound. Then he told me about the cysts and said they were no big deal and offered no insight, treatment or follow up.

It has been a month and a half since I first started experiencing discomfort and pressure in my pelvic region. It comes and goes. I was doing fine for a week or more and lo and behold, the pelvic pain came back. That day I started spotting and then over a few days it turned into a light period. Today my period appears to be almost over and I woke this morning with a little discomfort and pressure down there again.

I'm wondering if ovarian cysts cause pain during your period, especially in the beginning and end. I have never experienced this weirdness before and I feel like I'm going crazy. At first I was not sure what was causing the discomfort, but now I feel that it is perhaps connected to my cycle.

I went off of birth control pills about 3 months ago or so, and I feel that was a mistake. I started back about 2 weeks ago.

Thanks to anyone who has any insight.

[bobdylanfan]

Thank you ladies!! You all rock indeed.

Miss Fungirl, I had some weird clotting last month and then a very light period, a few days and then it stopped for a week and then I had it for 2 more days. I did get a transvaginal a few weeks ago and I'm scheduled for another one in a month to check on everything. I'm seeing the urologist AGAIN on Friday.

It eases my mind. Specialmom, I hope I am like you and never experience this again. Anniebrooke, I have not had sex in a few months so I don't think that's why it ruptured, but I am glad that your doc said it could cause weird periods.

Thank you all.

[AnnieBrooke]

My doc was head of the ob department, and one time I was in for an exam and he noticed (on ultrasound) a cyst, and the first thing he asked was "Was your last period a little weird?"  So answer to your question is, yes indeed.

My IVF doc told me that he thinks one of the causes of ovarian cysts is bruising of the ovaries that can happens during sex where there is deep penetration.  The ovary gets hit by the 'man thang,' then bruises, which causes it to be a little bit swollen.  Then if sex comes around the time of ovulation, the swelling can close off the pore that the egg had popped out of, blocking off the normal drainage of fluid that comes after the egg comes out.  This creates a fluid-filled cyst.  There are other kinds of cysts, some are solid, but it seemed like as good a theory as any in my case, since we were always ttc during my ovulation windows.

[fungirl1011]

Ovarian cysts can most certainly cause painful periods (at any time).  It can also cause heavy bleeding, clotting and it can cause your period to be lighter or heavier than normal.  Sometimes women don't even know they have a cyst until it is about time for their period and they start feeling the dull aches and pains and go to their doctor.  I would call and ask for a transvaginal ultrasound to see what exactly is going on.  Do you have any discomfort now that your period is over?  Please let me know what is going on!!

[specialmom]

I'm sure there are others here that will give you greater insight than I can.  However, I had excruciating pain just prior and at the begining of a cycle.  I was trying to have a baby and therefore was tracking every little thing.  My ob/gyn said that most likely that a cyst had ruptured.  Nothing else was said and done and I have not had an issue since.  --I am hoping that history does not repeat and I do not have another cyst . . . ever!  

So, if you are concerned---------  certainly another discussion with your doctor is in order.