Is loss of appetite a symptom of ovarian cysts

[spooky67]

I had a complex ovarian cyst on my right ovary that now seems to be gone. Newest vaginal ultrasound (last week) shows nothing there now. I now have a 1.8 cm follicle on my left ovary. I had alot of pain, nausea and generally crappy feeling too. Most of that is gone now since the complex cyst is gone (about 2 weeks ago) I still have loss of appetite. I am wondering if loss of appetite is a symptom of ovarian cysts? I am only hungry for breakfast. Some days Im not hungry all day and only eat because I know I have to. This has been going on for 2 months now. I had a great appetite before all this started. Can hormonal imbalance cause loss of appetite as well? I am getting really worried.

[spooky67]

Thank you for your input. Im really wondering if the appetite loss has something to do with my hormones. Im really not sure. Hormone imbalance normally makes you hungrier, not the other way around.

There is no history of OC in my family and I really dont trust the CA125 test as Ive heard it can be very innacurate. My GYN says everything happening to me is normal for a woman my age (47) and is due to hormonal changes and closing in on menopause. EXCEPT the loss of appetite. She doesnt know about that.

Anyway, I appreciate your response!

Thank you Ronnie6048 and specialmom too!

[specialmom]

Thank you for sharing 'old before my time'.  That has been the case with all I know who've had this situation as well.   I really think the poster should trust her doctor on this.  Best of luck to the poster and let us know how you are managing.  

[old_before_my_time]

I had a large complex cyst and did not lose my appetite. But hormonal changes can affect everyone differently. However, after my organs were needlessly removed because of this cyst (even though it was benign), I did lose my appetite.

I would not worry at this point since your cyst went away and the 1.8cm one is being monitored. The CA125 test for ovarian cancer is not accurate and if you do not have a family history for OC then your chances of that are very low, less than 2%.

So give it some time - Your appetite should come back.

[Ronnie6048]

not everyone show same and all symptoms . someone says talking from personal experience than googleing ,well where does the thing from google come from , and it dosen't make sense saying " it's a women thing" always . my grand mother had the similar problem and she didn't had any appetite that's not my " personal experience " but i think thats an experience . and i dont say about anything that i don't know of . :)

[specialmom]

Yes, I think you were getting someone to google rather than talk from their own experience.  Being a woman and having cysts myself, knowing a woman who has had a complex cyst, others who have had cysts in general, I was speaking from experience that this isn't something you commonly hear.  Even my mother in law who had ovarian cancer had very vague symptoms until diagnosis.  She was eating normally.  

So, I was sharing real life experience along with what I've learned.  I just didn't want you to think that anyone here should contradict your doctor.  good luck

[spooky67]

Thank you for your response. I am hoping that my appetite returns soon. I will just continue to force myself to eat so I dont lose weight or get sick with something else lol. And continue to pray. God is the Great Physician.

I understand this is a forum for members to share their experiences and not a medical site. I was just wondering if anyone else had this experience because it is so annoying and worrisome.

[specialmom]

It really could be related to stress hon. the pain of it all and stress of it can cause anxiety that our body reacts to by loss of appetite.  

Sounds like having seen your doctor is great and your BEST source of information.  Remember, this is a member to member forum and knowing the background of those giving advice is difficult.  Therefore, your doctor is the person you need to listen to.   I personally stick by my own research and experience that a cyst does not cause loss of appetite.  And your doctor agrees with that.

BUT, we all have pain reactions.  I found that when in extreme pain, I react with nausea.  I was working out at my gym and weights fell on my fingers (plate weights on a machine) and before I felt my finger, I had a huge wave or nausea.  When contracting in labor, I experienced nausea with it.  (just trying to think of times of intense pain).  That is my natural pain reaction.   So, yours may be cessation of appetite.  So, to clarify, our body can respond to something and it is not a symptom of the condition but our body reacting to the symptom (pain causes nausea for me).  Doctors tend to separate these things out for diagnosis.

Anyway, trust your doctor that the lack of appetite was NOT caused by the cyst itself (and it's just my opinion regarding it as a pain reaction).  Continue to eat the small, healthy meals as you have been and I'd suspect your appetite will reappear in short order.  good luck

[Ronnie6048]

Around the
midpoint of your menstrual
cycle, an egg bursts out of its
follicle and travels down the
fallopian tube in search of
sperm and fertilization. A
follicular cyst begins when
something goes wrong and
the follicle doesn't rupture or
release its egg. Instead it
grows and turns into a cyst this  is what a follicular cyst . better see physician i'd say

[spooky67]

Well I had a GYN visit this afternoon. She claimed that a cyst (complex or not) shouldnt cause me to lose my appetite. Funny, it started as soon as the cyst formed and all the other symptoms started. Doesnt make sense to me. She said maybe the pain would make me lose my appetite. But Im not in pain anymore so I dont know??? I have read that a cyst, especially a bad one, can cause appetite loss and Ronnie6048 seems to agree.

Any suggestions?

[spooky67]

I have been eating regularly and not missing meals, but Im not hungry when I do eat. Im only eating because I know I need to. Im just not hungry. I normally have a great appetite (before all this started 2 months ago)

I havent had the CA125 test because my ultrasound showed the hemmoraghic complex cyst and the GYN was sure that was the cause of my pain. It is now gone so Im not worried about it being cancer.

Im only worried why Im not hungry! I feel fairly normal otherwise.

Ill let you know what the dr says this afternoon :)

[specialmom]

By the way, I was a caregiver for my mother in law who had ovarian cancer.  For the majority of OV patients, they have very few symptoms for a very long time.  Not until the cancer progresses do they begin to experience things that they KNOW aren't right.  Much feel like 'woman issues' or gastrointestinal issues.  Then when diagnosed, the cancer is in later stages which is most unfortunate.  

The CA125 marker test is a good one that is not routinely given but would think you could make a case.  Your type of cyst is such that I think I'd want to have my doctor on board for helping me catch anything further early.  

But in all sincerity, if your doctor had any concerns of cancer (and OV cancer is a seeding cancer which means it spreads in sand or pebble like increments like being thrown into the wind (which is one of the reasons it is so deadly))  Your doctor would be monitoring you and talking to you about it.  good luck

[specialmom]

I would expect your appetite to come back but you should probably kick start it by eating regularly.  We tend to 'get used' to things like low caloric intake.  So, push yourself to eat.  

sorry you have been through this difficult experience.  Did you have the CA125 marker test performed?  I think I would for precautionary measures.  Your type of cyst is fairly uncommon.  And I would want some follow up care.  

It sounds like you had symptoms that are very similar to those of simple cysts which are in some ways confused with hormonal issues/ cycle issues.  This is one of the reasons why it is so hard to discern what is going on---  as women, we experience so many of these things off and on.   I am sure the intensity level of this is what drew your attention to it.  I learned of my cyst from painful periods/heavier flow.  

Well, I'm very glad you are seeing your doctor today.  That is the best place to get specifics to your situation.  Take care dear.  

[spooky67]

My cyst was a 2 cm complex hemmoraghic cyst on my right ovary. I had many symptoms and felt very sick for about a month or more. Dizziness, nausea, pain in my side and lower abdomen, and loss of appetite. The complex cyst is gone now as my vaginal ultrasound showed a week ago today. I now have a 1.8 cm follicle on the left ovary that is hurting some in my lower left abdomen, but not like the complex cyst!

All symptoms are now gone as of about a week or two ago except the appetite loss. I want to eat, but Im just not hungry. Ive been forcing myself to eat anyway. I havent lost any weight.

I am still having regular periods. On time anyway. I am 47 by the way. I had one very light period when all the pain started (January) then a unusually heavy one last month (February). But they are on time. I am going to see the GYN today and I will ask her if this all makes sense lol. Ill keep you posted!

[spooky67]

My complex cyst  on the right ovary was gone on my last ultrasound a week ago today. But now they said there is a 1.8 cm follicle on the left ovary. I have been having some pains in my lower left abdomen in the area of my ovary. But the right sided pain is gone. The nausea is gone. The dizziness is gone. The feeling crappy is gone. The only symptom Im still having is the loss of appetite. I want to eat but Im just not hungy :( Im sure hoping you are correct about the symptoms as I have been worried about it! When I looked up loss of appetite with ovarian cysts, all I can find is that it is a symptom of ovarian cancer! And since the complex cyst is gone now, I dont believe it is cancer.

[Ronnie6048]

better see a doctor

[specialmom]

Good luck to the poster and remember that your treating physician is your best source of information.  Do you have a follow up appointment?

[Ronnie6048]

maybe because of stress i just said its a symptom. if u hit ur nose and its bleeding u can't say its leukemia but bleeding from nose is a symptom of leukemia no. just like that it is a symptom but as u have have said it maybe because of stress.

[specialmom]

Complex cysts are also typically asymptomatic.  They cause issues with bleeding and yes, occasionally bloating.  But as women know, bloating is an occurrence heavily related to our cycle on a regular basis.  

I would guess the loss of appetite is due to stress from the situation and again, loss of appetite does not cause you to not be able to eat, just not WANT to eat.  So, put yourself a healthy eating schedule.

And remember, your best source of information is from your treating physician.  luck to the poster

[Ronnie6048]

there are different type of ovarian cyst simple,complex,follicular,corpus luteum,dermoid,hemorrhagic............. yours was a simple specialmom.Most simple ovarian cysts do not
produce symptoms unless they
have associated complications.
she had a complex one, and it there are different type of ovarian cyst simple,complex,follicular,corpus luteum,dermoid,hemorrhagic............. yours was a simple specialmom.Most simple ovarian cysts do not
produce symptoms unless they
have associated complications.
she had a complex one, and it shows symptoms that i've already mentioned and loss of appetite is one of them

[specialmom]

Hi there.  I have had a simple ovarian cyst and would say NO, loss of appetite is not a symptom.  Typically there are no symptoms.  With regards to things like ovarian cancer and whatnot, the reason why it is so often found in the later stages is it is typically silent.  Same with simple ovarian cysts.  

The main symptoms are related to your menses. You may have more painful periods, for example.  When passing the cyst, it is a much heavier than usual period with cramping.  

Hormones do indeed affect appetite.  Are you having a regular period if I may ask?  

Loss of appetite doesn't mean someone can not eat.  :>)  You just aren't hungry when doing it.  I would suggest small meals on a regular schedule.  Eat light, healthy, protein packed meals and take a good mutli vitamin for women.  Train yourself to eat again.  Have you been losing weight?  

[Ronnie6048]

ugh.. dont mention
if u got ur cyst removed u'll get ur appetite back soon but gradually

[spooky67]

I wonder how long the appetite loss will last? I want to eat! Oh and thank you for responding :)

[spooky67]

Yes my abdomen feels full and I feel bloated. My pain is mostly gone now (since a couple weeks ago) I dont have pain during bowel movements. I know I have (or had) a cyst but I am worried why I have no appetite. Since my pain is better and the cyst is gone, I figured my appetite would come back???

[Ronnie6048]

and loss ofapetite is a symptom too sorry that i didnt mention it above