About a simple cyst

I have a "simple" cyst on my right ovary that was 3.7cm about 6 weeks ago. I was diagnosed after complaining about painful intercourse. Over the last 3-4 weeks, it has become alot more painful when I'm just sitting. Some days, it doesn't hurt at all, and somedays I can't get any relief. Everything I've read, said that simple cysts do not cause pain unless it's become very large, bleeding into itself, or twisting the ovary. I guess my question is, should I call my doctor and request my follow up ultrasound now, or should I wait another couple of weeks till the office calls me? I feel silly complaining about a simple cyst, after everything that I've read.

Hi Tara,

It wouldn't hurt to give your doctor a call, just to let him/her know about how much pain you're in.

I'm not sure what you've been reading that says simple cysts don't cause pain, but they can. In fact, that is how most cysts are diagnosed- because the woman has pain in that area.

I hope you get some relief soon. I know how uncomfortable ovarian cysts can make you feel.

s,

Lis

Tara,
It's been my experience that a cyst can cause pain. When I was diagnosed with my first ovarian cyst back in 1996 it was during intercourse that I first felt it. I cried out in pain, clutched my abdomen and curled up in a ball. It was quite startling for me. I went to the doc and they found a 4cm cyst on my right ovary. The doctor never said "this isn't causing your pain" in fact he said "no wonder you are hurting."

That said, cysts are very common in the female body. I have had cysts found on my kidneys and other places during tests. Most resolve on their own and may not cause any pain. If they do cause pain and do not resolve on their own than further intervention may be warranted.

I hope you feel better soon. Do call your doctor, or seek a second opinion if the pain continues.

Thank you!

My doctor is wonderful. The problem I have, is that I hate complaining about anything. He told me after my ultrasould, that it could get more painful, and that if it ruptures, then it would be severe pain. He compared that to a guy getting kicked in between the legs. I just do way too much research online. Webmd, familydoctor, etc. They all say the same thing. I just don't like to be a pain.

I see him everytime I work, while he's on his rounds, so I'll just stop him when he walks by. Him and my primary are probably the only docs that don't mind stopping them. I'm sure I'll get lectured for not telling him sooner.

Hi Tara.

I was also diagnosed with ovarian cysts and they can be quite painful! While I was teaching one day, I leaned over to help one of my students and felt very hot at first, then pain. The next day my DR, via sonogram, said one of the cysts had contorted and ruptured. I'm scheduled for LSH/BSO on March 10th.

Please talk to your DR. Don't wait too long as I think cysts can get rapidly bigger and more painful. That has been my experience as I am the same about not wanting to "be a wimp" about things either.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

Golfer

You d*****itely should talk to your doctor. Ive had so many cysts come up and rupture that Ive gotten used to them but the one I have now just kept hurting and never resolved, apparently this one is different in that it is partially fluid so not all of it will ever go away without surgery. This change over time, your last US was a while ago, the one I have now went from nothing to 7cm in 8 weeks. So please check, better to be safe than sorry. Believe me, you will know when it goes. But you will feel much better in about 24 hours. The constant pain seems to indicate it is twisting or growing. So go get checked out and GOOD LUCK!

Thanks. I called my doc and had it checked out. The radiologist is a .......well, never mind. I'm better than name calling. Visit the Post Op forum. I posted Mad, Scared, Another Surgery.

It wasn't a cyst, It was my bladder that was measured the first time. Real upset, but glad I finally called my doc. He's pretty ticked off himself.

Thanks for responding though.

Dear sweetbeatle,

I read your other post. Unbelievable! It is amazing that we put our trust in these people and then something like this happens. When I had my ultrasound the tech changed her mind at least 3 times on what she was telling me. I had a CT scan done first and a mass was seen in the right adexnal. So I had the ultrasound as follow up. At first when she look at it abdominally she was like wow thats big.(I know she didnt measure my bladder though because she showed me that and then the cyst). But then when she looked vaginally she said well maybe its just your ovary and its larger then she was like no maybe it is a cyst and it hemorrhaged into itself and another one starting. I was so confused and it took me forever to get an answer from the dr. office. The final report said that I had a simple cyst on my left ovary and a 5.0 x 5.1 cm complex cyst that appears to have hemorrhaged within itself on my right ovary. When they talked to my dr. he just said no big deal just a cyst dont worry about it. I have wondered the same thing did he even look at the ultrasound himself or just the report. So I am not sure if it is the cyst or adhesions from my previous C-sections and hyster, that cause my pain.

But it sounds like your dr. is very good about listening to you and is going to get to the bottom of your problems. Good luck I hope that everything gets resolved and that you feel better soon!