What to do about ovarian cyst

[Meg383]

I just found out I have an ovarian cyst, 5cm in diameter, and I'm not sure what to do about it. I don't feel my doctor told me a whole lot, but she just said it will probably go away in 6-8 weeks. However, the reason I came to her in the first place is because for the last 3 months I've had pelvic pain, pain during sex, unexplained weight gain (I'm a celiac, so I keep a very balanced diet), and IBS symptoms reminiscent of the days before I was diagnosed with being a celiac. Should I just wait the time period and go back, or should I seek a second opinion? I know cysts are common, and I don't want to overreact, but this is really messing my body up.

[old_before_my_time]

Welcome to the community. I am sorry you are dealing with this.

Since most ovarian cysts resolve on their own in 2 to 3 cycles, monitoring via periodic ultrasounds is the standard of care. If the cyst looks particularly concerning or you have a family history of ovarian cancer then monitoring more often or scheduling surgery would make more sense. If you do not have a family history  of ovarian cancer then your lifetime risk is less than 2%.

I was over-treated for an ovarian cyst. Mine was larger (9.5cm) and probably needed to be removed due to the risk of ovarian torsion. But my surgeon should have removed just the cyst (cystectomy) thereby maintaining natural ovarian hormone production. Instead he removed both ovaries and my uterus even though the frozen section showed it was benign. I have been suffering the many medically documented adverse effects ever since.

I hope your cyst goes away and this will all soon behind you!

[Emma_T86]

Hi, I have the exact same symptoms and went to my doctor end of April and he told me it was just a 'slice of fat' and would go away. My symptoms started in March this year. I went back to the doctors 2 weeks ago and asked to see a female (after suffering for another 2 months) and she did an internal examination and spotted right away I have a cyst on my left ovary. I was rushed for an ultrasound and my cyst is 30cm in length!!!!

I've been asked hundreds of times if I'm pregnant and basically my cyst is bigger than a baby now and I'm getting surgery to get it removed this month.

Moral to story, always trust your gut. You know your own body and if you don't feel right - go back. I wish I'd gone back sooner now and maybe I wouldn't have suffered as long and I'd of had my surgery by now and be on the road to recovery!

All the best xxx