Another endometrioma?

Hello ladies this is my first time in the group. I am from Texas and I am 39 years old. In January 2009 I had two ovarian cysts removed on my left ovary. One was 6 cm and the other 4 cm. My dr. removed my left tube and part of the ovary due to extensive damage. She said the endo was really bad. She got out most of what she could. It was all around my bladder and uterus. The cysts were endometriomas. She suggested a hysterectomy. I said no. So she put me on the pill to keep the endo at bay and since I still have my right ovary. After three months on the pill I went off of it because the side effects were horrible. She was going to put me on a different one but I said no. She said I was at risk for getting another cyst. Now everything has been fine for three years, now I develop another cyst. This time I have a new dr. so he doesn't know about my endo. I told him my history. He has never done a lap so he doesn't know how bad it probably is. I know I still have endo, I feel the pain every once in awhile and my periods are very heavy. I went to him last week but not because I was in pain but for my well woman exam. He wanted to do an u/s just to be sure since given my history. Well it turns out there is a 3cm cyst on my right ovary. He wants me on the pill to see if it will shrink and see my back in a month. I only took the pill for 2 days and quit. I am not having any pain from the cyst didn't know it was there. The only problem I was having prior to the dr. visit was rectal spasms. I was having it a lot and everyday for two weeks straight. They didn't hurt just an annoying fluttering feeling in the rectum. I googled all sorts of the things and finally I linked it to the cyst because I have read that it pushes on your rectum. I am not having that anymore and so I am assuming the cyst is gone. But if it is an endometrioma they don't go away. I don't understand how a lot of women complain of pain from a 3 cm cyst and have to have surgery? 3 cm is not big. I go back to the dr. on the 20th for another u/s to see if the cyst has shrunk or gone away. The other dr was right I am putting myself at risk by not taking the pill and developing more endometriomas. I just don't know what to do if when this new dr. does my next u/s and the cyst is still 3 cm on my right ovary. He will probably want me to take the pill. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Angie

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Originally Posted by lazybug73 She said the endo was really bad. She got out most of what she could.

If she left any for any reason, then it could definitely be causing issues now.

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Now everything has been fine for three years, now I develop another cyst. ... Well it turns out there is a 3cm cyst on my right ovary. He wants me on the pill to see if it will shrink and see my back in a month. I only took the pill for 2 days and quit. I am not having any pain from the cyst didn't know it was there.

Just because you aren't feeling pain from the cyst does not mean it should go untreated. While some cysts are not a problem and resolve on their own, an endometrioma does not. Additionally, an endometrioma can be inside the ovary. If it bursts, you are not only going to be in a lot of pain, your ovary could be damaged and the blood that is released into your pelvic region will set up an environment for inflammation and adhesions that can involved your bowels, bladder, uterus, and any other organ where the fluids land.

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The only problem I was having prior to the dr. visit was rectal spasms. I was having it a lot and everyday for two weeks straight. They didn't hurt just an annoying fluttering feeling in the rectum.

While those may be from the cyst, it could also be endometriosis affecting your bowels or rectum.

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I don't understand how a lot of women complain of pain from a 3 cm cyst and have to have surgery? 3 cm is not big.

You are right, it is not. But you also feel that same small cyst has pressed on your bowels and caused spasms. It is not always the size that is necessarily the issue. It is also where it is located, what is being affected by it, what it is made up of, your particular nerve paths and pain receptors, etc. Think of a paper cut. Those are usually very tiny but can be quite painful. On the other hand, my SIL didn't have pain until her cyst was the size of a grapefruit. She may have been able to avoid the invasive surgery she required if it had been found at 3 cm. Then, it could have been monitored before it got so huge and she was forced to undergo invasive surgery.

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He will probably want me to take the pill.

Why don't you want to take the pill? Is it because one caused you problems? Share that information with your doctor. There are wide variety of birth control pills and some have different ingredients and work differently. Just because one didn't work for you doesn't mean another one won't.

I have chosen to wait out a cyst, but it was not diagnosed as an endometrioma. Ask your doctor for his opinion for why you should use the specific treatment he suggests and what the risks are of not using any treatment. Then you can decide if the risks are worth it for you.