[roo81]

Hi there! Hoping I can gain some insight from some ladies who have had similar issues.

I was recently diagnosed with ovarian cysts... after months of going to my gastro Dr for episodes of severe abdominal pain, having a colonoscopy and endoscopy that both came back clean then finally a CT showing cysts. My CT in May of this year showed a 5.2cm cyst on the left ovary or possibly two smaller cysts that had grown together. The ER did not tell me I had an ovarian cyst and sent me on my way saying I possibly had colitis (which was ruled out with a colonoscopy last month). Luckily my Gastro Dr. looked over the CT herself and said "Did you know you had ovarian cysts?" NOPE! Good to know.

So fast forward to several weeks ago and I had a ultrasound and it showed two cysts (about 3.5+cm each) grown together for a total size of almost 7cm. So it looks like it has grown. They also told me it is not a functional cyst but rather a complex cyst either an endometrioma or hemorrhagic. The Dr said I can "wait and watch" or get them out. I elected to have them out since they have been there for 6 months now (or longer for all I know) and have not gone down in size.

Could this be endometriosis? I have had pelvic pain on and off for YEARS and was diagnosed with IBS about 3 years ago. Now I find out I have cysts so I am wondering if this may have been an issue for years and I just did not know. The CT also showed fluid in the cul de sac region of the pelvis which I have read could be a sign of endo? I am scheduled for surgery in a month to remove the cysts and look for endo but wondering what I am in for, for the long haul here. The Dr mentioned putting me on low dose birth control after the surgery and I am wondering if that can help?

Thanks!!

[Euphoric]

No surgery comes without the possibility of risk, however, having a laparotomy is pretty much straight forward and easy. I had ovarian cysts remove years ago. The cause of a cyst can vary, so it's hard to say, "Yes, it's endometriosis." (Though mine was.) I used birth control pills afterward and never had another problem with cysts. The only 'negative' was that when I was ready to have children, it took me forever to conceive (possibly from being on the pill so long??) For me, once the cysts were removed and I recovered, which didn't take long, I felt great. Good luck and well wishes.

[bella86]

Cyst and endometriosis can be linked together and that has been my case, everyone is different though, I have been diagnosed and had endometriosis removed as well as multiple cysts. The pill can help, I had a marina put in to stop my periods to try and stop the endometriosis. As far as the long haul again everyone is different I am 26 and and have had problems since I was 11, I hope everything goes well for you and I am here if you ever want to talk about it.

[sarahj89]

hi roo81,

I had this surgery in 2011. I had a 9cm cyst (!) on my pressing on my bladder. They compared it to the size of a grapefruit! They couldn't tell for sure from the ultrasound, but they think it was on one of my ovaries. I could elect to wait & monitor it every 6 months, but they suggested, because of its size, that I remove it via laproscopic surgery. It required 4, barely noticable, incisions in my lower abdominal area, that I can now barely see. I was in & out of the hospital, same day. Recovery time - approx 2 weeks. I was able to move, walk slowly, but was hunched over for a couple of days.

Hope all goes well!