For the last few months (I'd say since February) I have been experiencing a plethora of pains in my lower and upper abdominals, along with increasing abdominal swelling. At this point, I look like I'm about 7 months pregnant with twins (and I am so NOT pregnant). As to what's been going on in conjunction with this swelling; a lot of strangeness. My periods have become extremely irregular, my digestive system has been very slow, and everything I eat backs me up so I really have no appetite anymore. I've lost weight without trying, and menstruation is so painful I cannot function during the days leading up to it, and on the first and second day. Last period lasted 2 days. This time it's extremely unnerving with severe pain and heavy bleeding. Not to be gross, but my periods no longer begin with normal blood, it's either dark brown or blackish. My periods have always had a mind of their own, starting whenever they choose and typically last about 4-5 days being mostly heavy with clots. Since all this began these months ago, I've had one period that lasted 10 weeks, and one that lasted only a day. There is no 28 day cycle for me. It comes when it comes. I've never had children. In addition to these issues, I'm having horrid stabbing, burning pains on either side of my groin, it's worse on the right. Ibuprofen does not help this pain, in fact nothing sates it. There is pain shooting down the back of my right thigh and awful lower back pain all exacerbated by menstruation. I have made an appointment to see a Gynecologist next friday. I haven't been to a Gynecologist since I was 16 (I'm 37 now). I should also add that breathing is becoming increasingly difficult, and my swollen stomach feels full and heavy with burning pain under my right rib cage which is not constant. Can ovarian cysts cause all of these symptoms?