ovarian pain and cysts after hyster

Hi all!
I'm not sure where to post this. I'm way post-op. Years even. I had a hysterectomy in 03. Kept my ovaries. Here I am years later. I experience severe ovarian pain and fullness in abdomen about once a month. Was dx with 2 complex ovarian cysts following ultrasound. After being put on Birth Control a repeat ultrasound showed no cysts. Problem, I still have severe pain and bloating once a month or so. At my last exam another ultrasound showed no cysts but a "spot" on my ovary that my dr was not concerned about. Said it was probably scar tissue. He said my options were to continue to take the birth control or he could remove my ovaries. Either way, he didn't seem any to concerned. I don't want any unnecessary surgery, don't want to have to worry about hormones but also don't really want to take bc as it causes severe breast tenderness. Don't know what to do but I do know I want this pain to go away. It is excrutiating and usually has me doubled over and in tears for a day or two every month. This pain is different and much worse than any I experienced pre-hyster. Any advice, ideas, suggestion, opinions, etc.... would be greatly appreciated. Has anyone else been through this before? Thank you.

I had a LSH , kept ovaries 3/2009. I was not in menopause yet at the time of my surgery, although i was 51 yrs old. My ovaries have been hurting me on and off for one yr. now. I also started with menopause 3 months post op and now take compounded hormones. So now i am in menopause and still have ovarian pain. My Dr. does not have an explanation and i have not had an ultrasound. If the pain doesn't stop by the time i have my anual in Oct. iam going to request an US and consider removal.

I don't know how old you are, but i would consider oophorectomy because it seems like this goes way past menopause.

I can't tell you what to do, but, I realize you do'nt want unneccessary surgery, how ever, with the pain you are having, it doesn't sound unneccessary to me. Even if you get medicine to quiet the problem and pain, it could come back again. I would have the surgery, get the ovaries out and be done with it.

I have suffered with what my doctor calls "functional cysts" which are considered to be normal for years. I also chose to keep my ovaries as I am too young for menopause and cannot take any form of hormone therapy. I deal with the pain, and many times prior to my hyst ended up in the ER. Are your doctor's willing to give you a rx to have on hand for pain? I take percocet and it helps a lot. I'm so sorry you are having so much pain I know how bad it can be. It's a tough call, I wouldn't want more surgery, and I didn't want the surgical menopause either. My new doc said that menopause would put an end to the cysts forming. I have been through two menstrual cycles now since my TAH and the ovary pain has been minimal. I hope you find some relief. I wish you pain free days
alicia

Thank you all so much for your response.
I am 42. I think I am leaning more towards taking them out. My dr just confused me because when they first saw the cysts on us she didn't like the way they looked at all and wanted to schedule me to have them removed immediately and so she scheduled me to see the surgeon. He was not nearly as concerned and preferred to take the wait and see approach. After taking the pill for 3 months the cysts were gone on a repeat us. So the surgeon totally dismissed me. They all just sort of brushed over the pain I was having as if it were a temporary pain lasting only seconds and then was gone. I told them that it was severe and lasted for 2 to 3 days each month. That combined with a weight loss of 30 pounds since my last appt got me another us which showed no cysts but a "spot" on my ovary. I can't remember teh tech term the dr used for it but said that it was most likely scar tissue and I should just continue to take the pill and that should keep the cysts away. She then added that I could have my ovaries removed if "I" chose to and if I did decide "I" wanted them removed I should make another appt with the surgeon, otherwise she'd see me next year. uuuuummmmmmmmmm ok.
I do take vicodin for fibro and always have it on hand but it has absolutely no effect on my ovary pain. Nothing helps the pain and many times I lay here crying wondering wether or not I should go to ER or just "push through it".
Anyway, I know it is a decision I'll have to make for myself but really do appreciate all of your input, advice and thank you for sharing your experiences with me. For the time being the pain has left me but I know it'll be back again next month.

Hi there. It will be a year in May since I have had my hysto. Prior to having it I had a cyst on my right ovary which my doctor said he would remove during the hysto. He did not, nor did he remove the ovaries. I now have worse pain than what I had a year ago and the cyst has not changed (now there's two). I have ultrasounds every two months, have just recently had a CT scan of the whole abdominal area and was told once again that it's just a "small simple cyst" that should not cause this kind of pain. Do they really consider something the size of a golf ball small, because that is what they both are. The radiologist, who I have become friends with now, informed me that it was beginning to rupture however my doc never mentioned this. I am frustrated beyond belief and often wonder now if I did the right thing by having the hysto, because other than not having a period it did nothing for me. I am going to see a new doctor next week and am hoping that she will give me some answers and explain things better. It is very frustrating to continue to deal with this. I forgot to mention that at my last visit he put me on bc pills to see if it helps. I will keep you posted, but know that you are not alone!

I'm so thankful there are sites like this which allows women from all over the world to share their experiences. I am 43 had a vaginal hyst Oct 2009. Unfortunately, I've traded one problem for several more. Since my surgery, I've experienced severe pain in my left side and left side of lower abdominal. I get occassional bloating, sharp pain which spikes through my legs, lower back problems, discolored stools, and occasional pain with urination and bowel movement. I am seeing specialist after specialist after specialist, and no one seems to ever give me a direct diagnos.

One say's it could be scar tissue, one say it could be adheasions, another said bowel problem-seen a GI specialist he said bowels look ok. Yet I am still having consistant pain in my abdomen daily. Just three days ago I developed a pain I've never had before in my abdomen. I hurts to walk, bend, and lift leg. I'm now dragging my leg in hopes of getting into see a doctor soon. I did keep my ovaries and am wondering if they are the problem or is my lupus causing all the problems. I can't take no more sleepless nights.

Do any of you have lupus and can shed some light from that perspective? or thoughts on other issues.

Yours truly,
Frustrated