Ovarian cysts can cause a range of symptoms from none to severe. But the symptoms do not necessarily correlate with the size or type of cysts. It seems uncommon for symptoms of endometriosis (e.g., pelvic pain) to initially present in a woman your age unless she had some sort of uterine surgery such as c-section that caused it (secondary a.k.a iatrogenic endometriosis).
You may very well be in perimenopause when hormones go "haywire" which can cause cysts, heavy bleeding, irregular cycles, hot flashes, night sweats, etc. And fibroids can cause heavy bleeding too. Usually, all that's needed is to treat the bleeding. The fibroids will shrink after menopause.
Most ovarian cysts, even complex ones, are benign (non-cancerous). Although complex ones seem to seldom resolve on their own, there are women who have stated that theirs did go away, no surgery needed.
I had a 9.5 cm complex ovarian cyst. My gynecologist of 20 years rushed me into surgery saying it needed to come out and quickly. Despite the benign results of the frozen section biopsy done while I was under anesthesia, my gyn proceeded to remove the rest of my sex organs (uterus, cervix, both ovaries, tubes). I have been paying the price ever since (8+ years). I wish I had understood the GROSS overuse of female organ removal and all the medically documented after effects, short- and long-term.
Please do some research before your appointment tomorrow and make a list of questions. It is difficult to know what questions to ask without having done your homework. Also, the medical industry is no different from any other. It is profit driven and doctors are pushed to do more testing and procedures to increase revenues. That doesn't necessarily mean your second opinion surgeon will recommend immediate surgery (with or without organ removal). But surgery is, by far, the primary source of income for gynecologists. And female organ removal is GROSSLY overused with only 2% done for a cancer diagnosis. Even ACOG says most hysterectomies are unwarranted with 76% not meeting their criteria. We as the consumers/patients need to get all the facts and do what is in our best interests. My gynecologist said my surgery was "exploratory" too but he did a gut job on me.
Good luck and let us know how your appointment goes.
You are speaking of most women's night mare. Cyst and fibroids can and do cause all the symptoms you speak of. Depending on the size of the cyst and fibroids and the amount of pain should be considered in removing it. There are options you can choose from. One is surgery or Novasure which is wonderful for some women. You may also be starting Menopause. Talk to several GYN's and see what may work best for you. Also do your own research. Good Luck.
I have had two c-sections. One in 2004 and again in 2005.
I have two beautiful children who are my world.
I didn't know endometriosis could be brought on by having c-sections.
I will do some research on this tonight.
Thank You for the advice!
I just returned home from seeing the surgeon my GYN sent me to and he wants me to have a colonoscopy ASAP.
He feels that my symptoms are more likely due to inflammatory bowel disease.
I'm confused by this because everything I've read about it so far says unexplained weight loss is a symptom of this condition.
The problem I have with this is that I am the exact opposite..., I have had an unexplained weight gain of 8 lbs in the last month even though my eating habits have not changed.
Even with the diarrhea I've had since this past Friday I haven't dropped a pound.
Things just don't add up!!!
Interesting. I don't know much about inflammatory bowel disease but most of your symptoms seem to be gyn related. Have you considered trying birth control pills? Those are usually effective for heavy bleeding and sometimes resolve ovarian cysts. And less bleeding can mean less pain. They also level out the fluctuating hormones associated with perimenopause so may help the fibroids too. If you do not want to take hormones there are non-hormonal options that can help such as tranexamic acid (Lysteda) or an anti-prostaglandin medication (mefenamic acid). Prescription strength NSAID's may even do the trick.
I did try several birth-control methods when I was in my 20s and 30s's such as Norplant, the pill and Depo Provera but I had many adverse reactions to them.
Mainly and most bothersome..., my periods became reversed and I was on my period for three weeks and then off for one week.
I haven't been given any info on the other options as to date.
Well..., I had the Colonoscopy this morning and all is fine in that department with the exception of 4 polyps that were removed during the procedure.
Nothing was found that would cause any of the symptoms that I've been constantly enduring for the past 6 weeks.
I feel like I'm back to square one!!!
Hopefully my GYN will finally agree to schedule me for surgery and remove the severely angry cysts on my ovaries.