Hi ladies. Quick history. Had a partial hysterectomy (left ovaries only) 3 years ago. Was diagnosed last year by US with a small complex cyst (hemorrhagic) that calcified on my right ovary and again on my left ovary with another one a couple months ago. Also, had a pelvic MRI a couple months ago which was normal, other than some cysts. Each time, I had pains that brought me to seek answers. Most of the time, it wasn’t excruciating, but it was enough to cause me worry. Usually felt like a pulling or tugging feeling with some sharp pains on my side (where ovary is) and would extend up and over my hip. My pelvic area would also be sensitive, especially with exertion like sneezing or coughing. This would bring on the sharp stabbing pains (Like the ones you get when your pregnant and the ligaments are stretching) and bloating. It would last for weeks. This time started the same a couple weeks ago, but now I have the sharp pains just from stretching and there is definite generalized aching across the pelvis in between the sharp pains...and of course, bloating. The achiness seems to be worse in the morning. Anyone experience this with cysts?
Hi Charcey97,
You and I have similar backgrounds, hopefully my reply will help you. I had a partial hyster 10 years ago, leaving my ovaries with tubes and my cervix ( I had a pelvic reconstruction done for uterine prolapse and a rectocele repair, hope this isn’t TMI). 4 months after that surgery, I had an 8cm cyst form on my right ovary that caused a torsion and I wound up having surgery to remove the ovary and both my tubes. I only have the left ovary in there but it has on/off caused me to have exactly the pain you are describing. I have had vaginal ultrasounds that almost always show cysts as well as an abdominal MRI and CT scan. All show cysts of varying sizes. I have what I describe as “colicky” or achy pain right at the ovary site sometimes once a month or so but every 3-4 months I will have a few weeks where the discomfort is worse, I have the same pulling sensation that you describe. It will hurt when I sneeze, cough or Valsalva (to have a BM, again TMI, sorry). That side always looks puffier than the other side of my abdomen when this happens and I feel bloated. I always worry that if I get another cyst that is large, it may torse this ovary but typically the pain is there for a few weeks, the cyst goes away and so does the discomfort. Please do not worry about an ovarian torsion! It is a pretty rare complication and I am only telling you about my experience, in no way is it told to make you worry or think this is what is going on with you! I just want you to know that there are other women out here that have ovarian cysts and suffer with that same discomfort. My gyn tells me that for the most part, they are harmless and go away on their own, with ovulation. I think they become more noticeable when we go through peri because well, everything tends to become more noticeable in peri. I am almost 47 if that helps for a point of reference and I have been in peri since about age 39. I have done HRT off/on over the last 10 years and currently take Estradiol 2mg orally daily because my peri symptoms got really bad about 3 yrs ago. I have to say that the last 5 years have been trying and the last year with all the other peri symptoms, has been awful. I take each day as it comes and put one foot in front of the other.
Hope this helps you and know that you will get through this! Hugs