Ovaries: Cysts and related issues [General Discussion]

Gerald Murphy53 said:In this country, women just seem to attract nothing but trouble. Let me tell you my story. I’m 33 years old and have two kids—my youngest is two and a half. Everything always seemed fine during my OBGYN appointments, though I frequently dealt with pain on my right side. For about the last year, I’ve been dealing with painful ovulations, or at least that's how I interpreted it. My cycle is usually pretty regular. However, my last two periods arrived early. In the third month, I actually got it a full week ahead of schedule, and the bleeding looked... suspicious. It was one of those gut feelings where you just know something isn't right. I went to see my doctor, and because he noticed my uterus looked a bit purplish and was tilted backward, he ordered an ultrasound. That's when he found some kind of fluid-filled cyst on my uterus, and told me I needed to get tumor markers checked. Well, the CA 125 marker came back at 137, when the normal limit is 35. I went back to him, but he wouldn't tell me anything! He didn't want to speculate or give me any clarity; he just told me I have to come back immediately after my next period ends and redo the marker test. Only then can he actually say something. This uncertainty is absolutely killing me. What is happening to me? I should start my period around the 25th. From what I've searched on Google, that marker is linked to ovarian cancer, but who knows what else it could be? He didn't even mention my ovaries to me. Does anyone know anything about this? Please, someone, comfort me... maybe it isn't cancer.

I don't think it has to be cancer necessarily
because those markers are just certain proteins (or other substances) that *can* indicate cancer, but they aren't enough for a diagnosis on their own—other conditions can mess with the levels too.

He probably sees that formation on the ovary via ultrasound (that "pocket") and based on the color and shape, he can judge if it's dangerous. It sounds like he thinks it's fine and is just waiting for your next cycle to clear things out before re-running the marker.

If he were sure it was something serious, wouldn't he have sent you for more tests already????

What do you mean your uterus is purple? I don't get that part.

Besides, even if it is something serious, it doesn't automatically mean cancer—it could be a benign growth.

Since you've been getting regular checkups and everything was fine, whatever this is probably isn't in an advanced stage. Listen, doc could have been a bit more communicative instead of leaving you hanging like this.

If you're not happy with his answers, go get a second opinion.

Maybe I totally missed the right thread for this, but I’m gonna throw it out here anyway... For the last few months (like 3 or 4 months now), my period has been dragging on for 10-12 days straight. It's super weird because for the first 4 days I'm basically just wearing a pantyliner since it's barely even spotting, then for the next 4 days it starts flowing, and then it goes back to just spotting for another 4 days...

It doesn't feel normal at all having these crazy long periods where I'm just constantly "dripping," so I'm heading to see Dr. Ginić next week. Honestly, I have a gut feeling it might be a cyst...

Has anyone else dealt with something like this before?

It doesn't necessarily have to be an infection. It could just be a hormonal imbalance. This happened to me once or twice before, and everything turned out fine.

Still, you should go see a doctor just to be safe.

So, I just got back from my follow-up appointment 🙂)) and honestly, it’s a bit of a relief—the mass is definitely smaller 🙂plus there’s barely any fluid in the abdominal cavity anymore... My doctor actually looked totally blindsided when I mentioned they didn't even run a PAP test while I was in the hospital, which, yeah, kind of defeats the purpose, right? So now I'm stuck playing the waiting game again, just hanging tight for the lab results and the actual PAP findings. Fingers crossed everything comes back clean this time. 🙂

Awesome. 👍

So, I went to pick up my CA 125 results today. Of course, they were elevated. It’s not quite at that scary 137 mark from last time, but it hit 126.1, which honestly leaves me spinning. I don't even know what to think anymore. To make matters worse, after spending way too much time spiraling through various health forums, everything is starting to point toward endometriosis in my mind. I'm trying to stay level-headed, but I can't help it—my nerves are shot. I have an appointment with my gynecologist tomorrow to see what they actually have to say about this mess. I'm feeling pretty anxious about it all.

Ladies, listen up! Make sure you're getting plenty of yogurt into your diet—specifically ones with acidophilus. Also, don't forget to eat cranberries and stick to immune-boosting teas. People who rely heavily on antibiotics often end up wrecking their immunity, and that’s exactly when things start going wrong. I'm speaking specifically to those dealing with chronic inflammation or persistent discomfort. I know this from years of experience. Just be consistent and learn to listen to what your body is telling you.👍

Gerald Murphy53 said:So, I went to pick up my CA 125 results today. Of course, they were elevated. It’s not quite at that scary 137 mark from last time, but it hit 126.1, which honestly leaves me spinning. I don't even know what to think anymore. To make matters worse, after spending way too much time spiraling through various health forums, everything is starting to point toward endometriosis in my mind. I'm trying to stay level-headed, but I can't help it—my nerves are shot. I have an appointment with my gynecologist tomorrow to see what they actually have to say about this mess. I'm feeling pretty anxious about it all.

Don't let yourself get too worked up. It’ll just pull you down into a depression and anxiety, and that’s the last thing you need right now. Take it slow and wait to hear what Ginić has to say. Wishing you the best.

Hey everyone, I’m back after yet another ultrasound session. For the most part, the doctor says everything looks okay—my uterus seems fine and there's nothing unusual showing up on my ovaries. That cyst I was worried about actually vanished! It's a relief to have a clear scan, but he's still fixated on my CA 125 levels. He gave me a referral for a color Doppler, but the earliest appointment I could snag isn't until July 5th. So, once again, I'm stuck in this endless waiting game. Honestly, he isn't ruling out endometriosis, but from what I understand, you really can't confirm that without going under for a laparoscopy. I'm just sitting here wondering: what is a color Doppler supposed to tell us anyway? Is he worried I might have some kind of tumor?

Gerald Murphy53 said:Hey everyone, I’m back after yet another ultrasound session. For the most part, the doctor says everything looks okay—my uterus seems fine and there's nothing unusual showing up on my ovaries. That cyst I was worried about actually vanished! It's a relief to have a clear scan, but he's still fixated on my CA 125 levels. He gave me a referral for a color Doppler, but the earliest appointment I could snag isn't until July 5th. So, once again, I'm stuck in this endless waiting game. Honestly, he isn't ruling out endometriosis, but from what I understand, you really can't confirm that without going under for a laparoscopy. I'm just sitting here wondering: what is a color Doppler supposed to tell us anyway? Is he worried I might have some kind of tumor?

I don't quite follow the "fluid pocket" part. Are you referring to free fluid in Douglas's pouch? If he only saw free fluid without any masses like cysts, that usually points toward inflammation or endometriosis first.

I had quite a bit of free fluid myself, and they prescribed antibiotics, which helped clear up that pressure feeling.

That fluid was completely clear, without any weird formations or anything, but now they aren't saying a single thing on the ultrasound. He just brushed it off, claiming it was just how my cycle was acting. As if that actually matters!

It’s similar. Usually, they suspect inflammation first, then maybe endometriosis, but with endo, the pain is intense. In my case, I just got a round of antibiotics—doxycycline and metronidazole—and that was that.

Honestly, it's better if they are thorough. I'm living in the United Kingdom, and I have to say, I'm not exactly impressed with their healthcare system. It feels like they just want to get rid of you. When I went to see the specialist with my ultrasound results (my GP sent me just to be safe), the doctor didn't even examine me. He just said since the ultrasound looks fine, that fluid could have come from anywhere, and that was it. My GP was the one who prescribed the antibiotics.

They did run some swabs for me after the antibiotics finished, too. Those came back clear. Maybe you should have swabs done as well. You'll see. The main thing is that your ultrasound is okay.

How does someone actually get to pure? Where does that even come from?

Well, here I go again. I went in for a Color Doppler today. You wouldn't believe it—this guy spent ten minutes poking and prodding me just to finally locate my right ovary, which ended up tucked way down in the bottom right corner. Honestly, what kind of doctor even is that? It’s no wonder they end up leaving us hanging with some vague illness. Anyway, he told me my uterus is retroverted, and apparently, I have functional cysts again (maybe because I just ovulated?). He also noted that while my right ovary isn't where it's supposed to be, the blood flow looks good. No adhesions or anything like that. Then I go see my own gynecologist, and suddenly, there's still no actual diagnosis! It is driving me absolutely insane. He actually suggested that once I get my period, I should go back in for a CA 125 test and then another ultrasound, and just keep going in this endless loop. Seriously, how long is this supposed to last?

I’ve honestly never had any issues with my ovaries before. But I just went in for my routine gynecological exam, and when she touched my right ovary during the palpation, I swear I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. The doctor mentioned it feels slightly enlarged and thinks it’s probably just a cyst. Since her office doesn't have an ultrasound machine on-site, I went ahead and booked one at a local clinic for May 19th. The weird thing is, I don't actually have any constant pain or any symptoms at all otherwise. I can definitely hang in there for another ten days until the ultrasound, but I'm wondering if I should still be doing my normal routine and hitting the gym or riding my bike, or if it would be smarter to just take it easy and play it safe for a bit?

Since this is the topic of the thread and I'm facing similar issues, I'm posting here because I honestly don't know where else to turn... I have no idea who to reach out to or even what to ask, so if anyone has experienced anything remotely like this—though I know it's unlikely—please help! Here is my story; I hope it isn't too confusing and that someone might be able to offer some insight... A few days before I was due for my period, I noticed this strange discharge that was bloody. I figured maybe my period was just coming early due to stress, but then things stalled for five days. When it finally arrived, the first day was absolutely brutal with pain, though by the second day I felt okay, and everything seemed fine for about five days after that. Following that, the discharge turned a very, very bright yellow and was quite heavy for about three days. Today, I woke up feeling normal (no discharge at all), but a few hours later, my ovaries and lower back started aching intensely—just like when I'm about to start my period, but I know I shouldn't be. Is it possible this is from having sex last night, considering we hadn't had intercourse in three weeks prior? To go back a bit further (before my period), I noticed a little lump right down low on the smooth skin (between the openings?). I thought maybe it was just a skin tear healing since we had pretty intense sex just before all of this started. Could I have been injured internally during that rough encounter, causing all this, or am I dealing with an infection or inflammation? I know everyone is different and experiences things uniquely, but please help me because I am terrified... I have an appointment with my OB-GYN, but because I'm transferring my medical records, I can't see them for another week. I don't know what to do until then, and the anxiety is driving me crazy.😢.....please help me....

jaderidge42 said:Since this is the topic of the thread and I'm facing similar issues, I'm posting here because I honestly don't know where else to turn... I have no idea who to reach out to or even what to ask, so if anyone has experienced anything remotely like this—though I know it's unlikely—please help! Here is my story; I hope it isn't too confusing and that someone might be able to offer some insight... A few days before I was due for my period, I noticed this strange discharge that was bloody. I figured maybe my period was just coming early due to stress, but then things stalled for five days. When it finally arrived, the first day was absolutely brutal with pain, though by the second day I felt okay, and everything seemed fine for about five days after that. Following that, the discharge turned a very, very bright yellow and was quite heavy for about three days. Today, I woke up feeling normal (no discharge at all), but a few hours later, my ovaries and lower back started aching intensely—just like when I'm about to start my period, but I know I shouldn't be. Is it possible this is from having sex last night, considering we hadn't had intercourse in three weeks prior? To go back a bit further (before my period), I noticed a little lump right down low on the smooth skin (between the openings?). I thought maybe it was just a skin tear healing since we had pretty intense sex just before all of this started. Could I have been injured internally during that rough encounter, causing all this, or am I dealing with an infection or inflammation? I know everyone is different and experiences things uniquely, but please help me because I am terrified... I have an appointment with my OB-GYN, but because I'm transferring my medical records, I can't see them for another week. I don't know what to do until then, and the anxiety is driving me crazy.😢.....please help me....

Look, try not to panic. Based on those symptoms, it sounds like you might have an infection. If that's the case, you'll likely just get some antibiotics and it'll be sorted out. As for that bump, it could be a wart. Don't be afraid; just see the doctor and try not to overthink it. I doubt it's from physical injury during sex; an infection seems more probable.

Gerald Murphy53 said:Well, here I go again. I went in for a Color Doppler today. You wouldn't believe it—this guy spent ten minutes poking and prodding me just to finally locate my right ovary, which ended up tucked way down in the bottom right corner. Honestly, what kind of doctor even is that? It’s no wonder they end up leaving us hanging with some vague illness. Anyway, he told me my uterus is retroverted, and apparently, I have functional cysts again (maybe because I just ovulated?). He also noted that while my right ovary isn't where it's supposed to be, the blood flow looks good. No adhesions or anything like that. Then I go see my own gynecologist, and suddenly, there's still no actual diagnosis! It is driving me absolutely insane. He actually suggested that once I get my period, I should go back in for a CA 125 test and then another ultrasound, and just keep going in this endless loop. Seriously, how long is this supposed to last?

I had that free fluid issue too, but they just put me on antibiotics and that was that. They only did an ultrasound, and everything looked fine. No further testing was required, though I actually would have preferred more thorough exams. It's always better to have everything checked out in detail.
Maybe there's some sort of infection or inflammation? That's usually what they suspect when there's fluid present, or perhaps endometriosis. My doctor—who didn't even think to perform a proper exam—told me that the fluid could be coming from somewhere else entirely, like the body just having excess fluid. That's how things work here in the United States.🙂

All of this really worked me up because I kept playing out every worst-case scenario in my head. This lack of clarity is awful. My back was hurting quite a bit, and it still does occasionally, but thank God I don't feel that pressure anymore.

By the way, I realized I had been wearing tight jeans that were putting constant pressure on my ovaries. Once I stopped wearing them, I have to admit everything seemed to settle down. I suspect my circulation was just totally compromised.

Well, I just had my CA 125 checked again, and the results are higher than ever—141. My doctor told me to get the blood drawn right when my period starts. For the first two days, everything seemed totally normal, but by the third day, it was nothing but clots. I went in for the blood work the very next day. I haven’t actually managed to sit down with my specialist yet because our work shifts are constantly clashing. What really gets to me is that last month, I didn't even have that usual ovulation pain I usually get, and I didn't feel any discomfort before my period either, yet my CA 125 is still climbing. It’s enough to drive me absolutely insane! I’ve been seriously considering heading over to the Sunce clinic to get a full systemic check-up; who knows, maybe there's a localized issue somewhere else that's throwing things off. Or, I might make the trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the Podobnik clinic. I've heard they have an excellent reputation. Does anyone happen to know how much a full exam costs there?

Gerald Murphy53 said:Well, I just had my CA 125 checked again, and the results are higher than ever—141. My doctor told me to get the blood drawn right when my period starts. For the first two days, everything seemed totally normal, but by the third day, it was nothing but clots. I went in for the blood work the very next day. I haven’t actually managed to sit down with my specialist yet because our work shifts are constantly clashing. What really gets to me is that last month, I didn't even have that usual ovulation pain I usually get, and I didn't feel any discomfort before my period either, yet my CA 125 is still climbing. It’s enough to drive me absolutely insane! I’ve been seriously considering heading over to the Sunce clinic to get a full systemic check-up; who knows, maybe there's a localized issue somewhere else that's throwing things off. Or, I might make the trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the Podobnik clinic. I've heard they have an excellent reputation. Does anyone happen to know how much a full exam costs there?

Honestly, it sounds like it's time to take those results to a specialist.
There's already a thread about Podobnik where you could ask—or just give them a call, wouldn't hurt.
If you don't, you're just going to stress yourself out over nothing... but if it *is* something serious, better to find out now and deal with it.