ovarian cysts

Originally added this on to Tina's pain post - but will add it as it's own topic.

SAH in Sept 2001. Had a few sharp pains in Dec that I told the doc about. We just assumed I was still healing, maybe over doing a little. I've had mini periods since the week after surgery, about 24 - 48 hours every 22 to 24 days. No pain, very minimal, no big deal. Suddenly stopped early January. Hmmm - ok, no big deal, but make a mental note to ask doc when I go in this summer. Breasts got tender immediately and have stayed that way. Tenderness lower righ quad, not bad enough to really complain about so I assume its pulled muscle or something. Got up several mornings feeling great, then tossed my cookies. Major major PMS symptoms - cranky, headaches for three weeks. Then sudden severe pain in lower right quad. One of those "what the ####" moments. Called the doc, who scheduled an ultrasound. Missed my mini period a second time. Still major hormone symptoms. Ultrasound was today - looks like a 5cm cyst on the right ovary. Ultrasound, both internal and external, hurt like a son of a gun. Will see the doc on Monday.


Due to past history of DVT the doc doesn't want me on the pill. What can they do to fix these darn things/stop the pain from getting nasty?

How annoying!

Any thoughts, suggestions, past experiences welcomed and appreciated.

Dear Nel,

I wish I had some light to shed on this for you. I have a history ot cysts...pre-hyst, and they just seemed to go away all by themselves. They would show up on an u/s...then I would have this bad pain, go for another u/s and they would be gone.

I wish I had more info for you....but wanted to pop in and give you a I also had two ultrasounds done this week...and boy can I feel your pain. I'm still tender from them...

Please let us know what your dr's say....

The type of cysts Judester mentions are the fairly common cyclical cysts that come and go. Your pain and other symptoms seem more persistent. There are several types of cysts, and that will determine the type of treatment you have (sometimes surgery). Ovarian cysts are usually not cancerous, but some types have a tendency to rupture, and surgery would probably be recommended. Apparently hormone treatment in your case has not been recommended.

I am not sure if missing periods is a sign in your case, but it is a symptom of some types of cysts. You appear to still have your cervix, but not a uterus- the reason for the mini periods. I am not sure if you have periods each month forever with a SAH, so that may not be a relevant symptom.

Unless they take your ovaries out (which you probably don't want to do since you can't take hrt), then the pill or mild hrt is the only other option. You might want to talk to your doctor again, and weigh your options...

You're kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place (but you knew that already).

If your cervix is still there, mini periods are not unusual at all.

The minis are no big deal. My hangup is that they suddenly stopped when this cyst appeared - I take that to be a hormonal issue. Dr put me back on the pill and the cyst seems to be more painful the past couple of days. Major major ouches today, but not anything that would make me believe that it has ruptured, because it will hurt like mad for a half hour and stop, then start up hurting again an hour or two later. Yes, I called the dr's office and will hopefully hear from them this afternoon.