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I need help please? Question about lower left quadrant?

When looking at a woman's pelvis from the front, I know that both the left ovary and sigmoid colon is located in the lower left quadrant.  My question is, is the left ovary located in the front, with the sigmoid colon running behind it, or is the left ovary and sigmoid colon side by side or is the left ovary located behind the sigmoid colon?

The reason for this is because I can feel a lump in my lower left side, right where I think my left ovary is located, however, know that the sigmoid colon is located in this same area and so I'm trying to determine whether the lump is caused by my ovary or by my colon?  I had an ultrasound done a few weeks back and it didn't show an ovarian cyst (I am prone to getting them often and also have endometriosis).  I'm not constipated and have bowel movements (although painful), so it can't be constipation causing a lump in my colon...?  

Anyways, any help would be muchly appreciated, I have searched everywhere on google for a picture and for help to try to figure out my above questions about the location of the left ovary and sigmoid colon with no luck.
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543028 tn?1282428826
i have no clue darlin but i had a friend who was so slender she could feel every movement of her bowels by palpating her abdomen ... i hope u have no pain ... and i hope someone who does know answers ur post :)  i am new here ... gl
hugz n prayers
sharon
Helpful - 1
187666 tn?1331173345
I do believe the ovary lies beneath the descending colon. When I had my ovarian cyst (10 cm) I could actually feel my colon when it was full (like having a Twinkie shaped object in there - sorry to those that love Twinkies). After going to the bathroom I couldn't feel it any more. The large cyst would push the colon up enough so I could feel it. Now after surgery to remove the cyst and ovary,  I don't feel anything but general squishy insides.

Being constipated isn't quite the same as being blocked. A sluggish bowel with hard stools is considered constipation too. I'm worried because you mentioned that having a BM is painful. That's not normal. If you're getting enough fluid and fiber in your diet it should come out easily. You shouldn't have to strain. That in itself can cause damage to your colon.

Don't forget there are lymph nodes in the lower left quadrant. Does the lump come and go in relation to your BM's? It sounds like a good question to ask your doctor.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Thanks for your reply. Just to clarify, when you say that the ovary lays beneath the descending colon, does that mean that it is behind it (in other words towards your back), or underneath it towards your groin area.  I guess it would make sense if it was beneath the colon towards the groin area.  Am I also right when I say that both could be palpable through your pelvis? I guess the reason I ask this is because my gyn always checks my ovaries by palpating my pelvis.

Yes, I do feel like it's an odd shaped lump, at times it feels harder than other times, however I still feel it before and after BM's, although sometimes it feels bigger than other times, not sure though whether in relation with my BM's - could be possible.  You mentioned lymph nodes - what exactly are they and what/how are they caused?

About the painful BM's - as I mentioned above, I have endometriosis, was diagnosed with it last year (via laparoscopy and it was lazered off) and having the painful BM's is an indicator to me that the endo might be returning because I had especially bad pain with BM's before I got diagnosed with the endo. I also still get horrible period cramps and pain even though using birth control continuously, so I'm thinking more and more that it's coming back.

Since I'm prone to getting ovarian cysts (even on the pill believe it or not) and have been experiencing a sharp stabbing pain on and off for about 4 months now (right around this area where I believe my left ovary is and the sharp stabbing pain reminded me of ovulation/cyst type pain), so my doctor sent me for an ultrasound again 6 weeks ago and everything appeared normal (no cyst). I was referred to a GI specialist and he has recommended a colonoscopy to check for polyps and other GI causes such as diverticulitis and colon cancer etc.

My gyn said that if no GI cause was found that we might consider another laparoscopy to see whether it could be my endo recurring, however he wanted me to see the GI specialist first to rule out GI causes.

I don't have my colonoscopy done now until 25 July, they moved it up due to some insurance problems I'm having, so until then, I'm just trying to do a bit of my own research to see what I can possibly find and learn.

Thanks again for your help and answer. :)
Helpful - 1
187666 tn?1331173345
The ovary lies under the colon, towards the back more. When a doctor palpates the ovaries, she usually uses both hands, fingers in the vagina and a hand pressing on the abdomen. Even when I had my large cyst, my gyno used the two handed technique to feel my ovary.

Lymph nodes are all over the body (neck, armpits, groin). Often they become enlarged and tender when there's an infection nearby. Ever notice that you get tender lumps under the jaw if you have strep? Otherwise they just feel like tiny marbles with no pain.

Since you had an ultrasound (transvaginal?) a few weeks ago I think it's a good idea to follow up with the colonoscopy or a sigmoidoscopy at the least (that's the shorter version). With the colonoscopy you'll have to do a pretty thorough prep to empty the colon but they'll get a good idea if everything is OK in there. I do hope it's all clear.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
This helped me too!  Thanks for the questions AND the responses, as I have "lump a phobia" since breast cancer 7 1/2 years ago!  Now the cancer is gone, hopefully forever.  I usually find it difficult to describe what I am asking and it takes time to get both ?'s And answers quickly.  This took about three minutes.  Bless y'all!  Cindy
Helpful - 0
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