T O P I C R E V I E W
Miss Thang
Member # 5508
posted 05-29-2002 06:15 PM
Ok I was just talking to my mom. And my older sister has cysts on her ovaries or her uterus or something. And her doctors are putting her on progesterone- I hope I spelled that right. But what exactly does progesterone do? What are the side effects, etc?Secondly, my mom seems to think that cysts are no-big-deal, but I thought that cysts were 1) extremely painful 2) can cause infertility if they burst. Am I wrong?
Also, my mom said that a few months back, my sister's doctors put her on birth control for the cysts. How would that help? And then my mom said that it's a lawsuit waiting to happen because her doctor knows full well that my sister smokes like a chimney, and that when you smoke and take birth control at the same time, you're far more likely to get cancer. Is THIS true?
Sorry for so many questions!
LilBlueSmurf
Member # 1207
posted 05-29-2002 10:01 PM
Heeeey that's what we're here for I happen to have personal experience w/ ovarian cysts. They're not always painful and i'm honestly not sure about the infertility thing. Mine ruptured and i was never told by any doctors that it would affect my chances of conceiving. I did have to have surgery, however, since it was very painful once it ruptured (I also had an infection in my uterus, which caused a fever and the need to do exploratory surgery).
I was also put on the birth control pill shortly after that, both to control the heaviness and length of my periods and to prevent another cyst from rupturing.
As far as i know, cysts form every month, but they normally go down after your ovary releases an egg. But obviously, sometimes they don't go down but continue to grow, and sometimes rupture.
Smoking and birth control are not a good mix. If you read the little info packet that comes inside the box of birth control pills, it tells you that. I would suggest she either gets off the birth control pills or stops smoking ... preferably stop smoking.
Gumdrop Girl
Member # 568
posted 05-30-2002 03:31 PM
the combination of the pill and smoking doesn't increase the risk of cancer beyond the usual high lung cancer risk (which in itself is plenty of reason not to smoke!). **HOWEVER** it can cause an increased risk of internal blood clots and strokes (as if the cancer weren't bad enough).Progesterone is the pro-gestation hormone. In normal cases, its level rises after ovulation. It maintains the thickness of the uterine lining -- neither letting it disintegrate nor proliferate. It also causes cervical mucus to thicken. And most importantly, progesterone stops ovulation.
But this is in a "normal" case. In the case of ovarian cysts, the ovaries may be secreting abnormal levels of hormones (estrogen, progesterone and the like) which may result in infertility. By juggling the concentrations of hormones with pills, your doctor can correct you back to "normal."
------------------ Color is for crayons, not for people .
Stargazer23
Member # 6893
posted 05-31-2002 05:41 PM
Just to add a note. My cousin had Ovarian cysts and she was rendered infertile. I don't think this happens every time. I also know someone who had them and is not infertile, but has had a few miscarriages, and trouble carrying to term because of the cysts. As a matter of fact, the doctors discovered the cysts because she had a miscarriage.
froggish
Member # 6370
posted 06-02-2002 07:55 PM
My question is actually fairly similar to this one, so instead of creating a new post I'll just add it in here. I've been treated, with birth control, for something the doctor called "middle schmertz" (sharp pains related to ovulation, or something) - and for a while, the pains had gone away. However, for the past few months the pain has recurred - and I'm wondering if this could mean I should ask the doctor to change my medication, or if it may indicate ovarian cysts or something. (I'd been on ortho-tricylcen for about 2 years before the pains started recurring - on a regular basis, that is). I've got a GYN appointment next week, but I'm just curious if anyone has advice. Thanks!------------------ ~*frog*~
sunflwr05
Member # 8539
posted 06-08-2002 08:11 PM
Hey- I think what I have is what you are talking about. Last September I was diagnosed with poly-cystic ovary disease. It is something that when the cysts were supposed to go down, they didn't and I would end up having to have surgery for it. I was put on birth control 1) to control the cysts and 2) to make sure that I didn't get a period (I don't know why, no complaints here though). From what my doctor has told me, unless something goes seriously wrong, I will be fertile when the time comes that I want to have children. Hope this helps somehow.Love ya, Jess
logic_grrl
Member # 8067
posted 06-09-2002 07:42 AM
"Mittelschmerz" (German for "middle pain") is when you experience pain and/or spotting of blood around the time of ovulation. It's quite common, and it doesn't necessarily indicate that you have ovarian cysts or anything like that. However, you should definitely let your gyn know that the pain has recurred.
gloworm
Member # 7235
posted 06-24-2002 03:07 AM
i ran a search on this topic and figured just to add my question in this thread.about two days ago, i started having a weird pain in my lower abdomen. at first, it was mostly on the left side. it would go away, and then come back later. by that evening, the whole area was sore. i have experienced this dull pain since then.
it doesn't really feel like normal cramps. and i know its not my stomach hurting.
i was put on birth control pills this month to regulate my cycle as i had missed my period for three months for no apparent reason (had a regular period for 10 years). i am on my third week of taking the pill (alesse). the doctor mentioned the possibility of polcystic ovaries and scheduled me to have an ultra sound- in august.
i have never had this kind of pain before, and i told her that when she asked.
i know you all aren't doctors but i was just wondering what you think:
could this pain have something to do with me just starting to take the Pill?
should i go ahead and call my doctor and see if i can get an earlier appointment for the ultrasound?
apparently, after reading some of the other threads on this topic, i have alot of the symptoms of PCO and have for awhile, minus the pain part.
anyway, just wanted to get some more advice. i am definitely going to call the doctor though.
alaska
Member # 1896
posted 06-24-2002 03:53 AM
Hi gloworm,how bad is your pain? If your entire lower abdomen is sore and hurts, please go and see your doctor as soon as possible, i.e. tomorrow morning, to make sure all is ok.
From WebMD: Abdominal Pain :
quote: How severe is the pain? A visit to a health professional is usually needed when severe abdominal pain comes on suddenly, or new and different mild pain slowly becomes more severe over several hours or days.This pain *might* be related to any gnyecological condition you have that hasn't yet been diagnosed or could be something entirely different.
So please make sure you get this checked out asap and take it from there, ok?
------------------Caro ~Scarleteen Sexpert~
"Through repetition the magic will be forced to rise."Alchemical Precept
gloworm
Member # 7235
posted 06-24-2002 04:01 AM
hey Alaskait isn't severe. the best way i can describe it is that it feels like someone is continually poking me on either side of my lower abdomen and after looking at the diagram, it seems like that is the area where my ovaries would be. (it is also around the area i remember my doctor feeling when she said she was checking my ovaries).
so i'm not curled up in a ball, in agonizing pain. it's more just uncomfortable and unsettling because i have never had this sort of pain before. it feels nothing like any menstrual cramps i have experienced before (and i have had much worse cramps where i WAS balled up in my bed in agonizing pain!)
so i was just concerned because i never had this problem before, plus i just started taking birth control, PLUS my doctor mentioned the possibility of ovarian cysts. if the pain was severe, i would be at the doctor immediately.
also, my GP and gyn (same lady actually) is about 2 hours from where i live. i go to college but my doctor is in my hometown. i know i should find a doctor here but i like the one i have so much!
but that is besides the point. i'm gonna call my mom first thing in the morning and then call my doctor.
thanks for the speedy reply.
alaska
Member # 1896
posted 06-24-2002 08:19 AM
hi gloworm,that sounds like a sound approach, gal. I got really worried for a minute there, hon, and was thinking you were in severe toppling over abdominal pain.
So call your doc and ask what she thinks, and what she'd recommend, maybe you could just check in at your campus health center and ask them to take a little look to see what's up, after telling them about your docs suspected diagnosis of PCOS.
Thing is, when one knows of existing Ovarian cysts, any severe pain should prompt one to head to the doc immeditately because severe pain can indicate a rupture or torsion of certain kinds of cysts, which can result in dramatic blood loss.
But anyway. Good plan on calling your doc, might be an opportunity to ask her whether you could get an earlier date for an ultrasound. Also, ask about a check of your blood hormone levels next time you are seeing here. That's actually the best way to catch PCOS, more reliable than ultrasounds, as some women can have PCOS without actually having ovaries full of little cysts; that should have been done before your doc actually put you on the pill though. These days, PCOS is massively over- and at the same time under-/mis-diagnosed, so if you think this might be it after thinking about yoru symptoms, make sure you actually get an accurate diagnosis.
Anyway, call your doc and see what she says about your pain and what she recommends. And if you come back with the PCOS diagnosis after the ultrasound in the end, hop over, plenty of gals here with PCOS, me included.
Hope you'll be feeling better soon and that it isn't anything severe at all.
------------------Caro ~Scarleteen Sexpert~
"Through repetition the magic will be forced to rise."Alchemical Precept
gloworm
Member # 7235
posted 06-24-2002 02:57 PM
hey Alaskathanks so much for your concern. i finally got ahold of my mom to get my doctor's phone number. i called and was told to leave a message on her nurse's voice mail, as she was busy with patients. i left a very detailed one and asked if i needed to make an appointment to come home this week and get things checked out. so now i am waiting for her to call me back.
so, until then, i'm just going to try and go one with my normal routine, i guess. i'm thinking about going and getting some of those ThermalCare menstrual cramp relief things. i was holding a warm wash cloth against the area earlier while i was watching tv, and it seemed to help a little.
if for some reason she does not call me back tonight, i'm going over to the Student Health Center tomorrow. i'll let you know what's going on.
thanks again for the advice. it really makes me feel better to talk to someone even if i can't talk to my doctor yet.
alaska
Member # 1896
posted 06-24-2002 05:38 PM
Hi gloworm,make sure you let us know when your doc calls back, ya? I would be very interested to hear what she recommends. Till then, can you get hold of a hot water bottle/those gel bottle things for the microwave maybe? I'm a big fan of 'em for any kind of abdominal discomfort.
Till later, ya?
P.S. Completely agree with you btw on the talking thing. Getting it out for a start always makes me worry a lot less and able to work out a decent plan on how to tackle any problem, no matter whether it's current pain or anything else and whether the talking happens in real life or here. Great to have the boards for these kinds of moments, isn't it?
------------------Caro ~Scarleteen Sexpert~
"Through repetition the magic will be forced to rise."Alchemical Precept
gloworm
Member # 7235
posted 06-25-2002 12:23 PM
hey Alaskai just wanted to give you an update.
well, last night i went and got some of those ThermalCare pads. it provided some relief and was nice to use because i could wear it inside my underwear. but it didn't really make the pain go away.
about 5:00 this morning, i woke up with a terrible pain, worse than any of the previous pain i was experiencing. also, i felt very faint and my arms had a weird tingly feeling in them. i woke up my boyfriend and he took me to the emergency room because i was really scared and in a lot of discomfort.
the doctor there checked my ovaries and ordered several blood tests and a urine sample. needless to say, this took forever as i imagine ERs are almost always really busy and i wasn't broken and bleeding profusely. anyway, my urine and blood tests were normal and the doctor said he was "pretty sure" it was a cyst. i asked about an ultrasound but he suggested i get my regular doctor to do it. he gave me a prescription for some pain killers and an anti-inflammatory.
so when i got home five hours later, exhausted from little sleep and being so stressed out, i called my doctor again. i found out that she was away on vacation!! i did talk to her nurse and the nurse got me an appointment for an ultrasound on thursday morning (earliest she could get.. and by the way, she was pretty miffed that the ER doc didn't go ahead and give me one). i also made an appointment for a follow-up with my doctor when she returns next week.
soooo..... the pain has subsided considerably and i'm about to get my prescription filled and spend the rest of the day resting. my mom wants me to come home today but i don't think i have the energy to drive 2 hours there and i know my poor boyfriend is exhausted as well. so i'm gonna go tomorrow so i will be there before my ultrasound on thursday.
so unless the pain becomes excruciating again or i have any other scary symptoms, i guess i should just take it easy, huh?
anyway, i just wanted to let you know what was going on. thanks again for your concern and i'll let you know how my ultrasound goes.
alaska
Member # 1896
posted 06-25-2002 03:26 PM
oh gloworm, so sorry to hear about those early morning er adventures. but good that you took the symptoms seriously and went and are getting the ultrasound thursday morning at your usual doc.taking it easy till you drive home sounds like a good plan, indeed. hope your driving will go smoothly, so once you're home, you can get some tlc from the family, hm?
and thanks for the update, i hope you'll have better news, soon.
*sending some energy your way*
gloworm
Member # 7235
posted 06-27-2002 12:56 PM
**another update for Alaska**i had my ultrasound this morning. the woman who did it said she did not see anything alarming, such as a huge cyst or anything. she said i probably had several small ones and as soon as my doctor looked over the results, they would let me know.
so i feel alot better now. i'm not having nearly as much pain anymore, so i'm hoping that i'll be all better in a few days. and i'm supposed to go back to see my doctor again in about a week.
well, thank you again for all your advice and support.
have a super weekend!
SnowBunnie816
Member # 9091
posted 07-17-2002 05:42 PM
Hey...I'm going through the same thing right now, I'm going to see a gynecologist tomorrow...I had a sonogram..which showed that my right ovary (the one that's hurting) is larger than the other..and my doctor had gone over the results..and I was told it was a cyst....so tomorrow I'm going to see the doctor..I was told that this shouldn't affect conceiving or anything, but since this hasnt ruptured on it's own..my pediatrician informed me about a laparotomy...Does anyone know anymore about this?