Uterine cyst/fibroid - Menopause Message Board

viktik · 05-16-2008, 06:22 AM

Hi everyone,

I had a vaginal ultrasound this past January, and it showed that I have a uterine cyst. My doctor said it was ok, but he wants to keep an eye on it to see if it has grown at all in four months, so he wants me to have another ultrasound. I only feel a little pain from it once in a while. I'm just wondering if anyone else on this board has a cyst or fibroid, and if it has changed or grown. If so, do you ever have any pain with it?

Thanks all, and happy Friday!

viktik

GBug · 05-22-2008, 11:04 AM

Hi viktik

Around 18 years ago, I was diagnosed with 2 fibroids on my uterus. At that time they were the size of a green pea. I have had an ultrasound every 5 years just to monitor any growth. Last year, a routine ultrasound showed that one had grown to about 6 cm (the size of a small orange) and the other to 3 cm plus 2 additional small fibroids. My doctor suggested that I start having an ultrasound every 3 months. Three months later I had another u/s and two of the fibroids had sloughed off (disappeared) and the 6 cm shrank to less than 5 cm. My gynecologist believes the fibroids shrank because my hormones are fluctuating (brought on by premenopause).

Hope this helps. As you can see, I was fortunate to never have any problems such as heavy bleeding or pain associated with the fibroids. Also, after 20 years, I am thankful that they didn't grow any more than they did. I do have a "poochy" lower abdomen but that's all. My doctor is optimistic that I will make it through menopause without having to have surgery.

cara831 · 05-28-2008, 05:57 PM

About 15 years ago I had some pain and a tiny bit of spotting after sex. The doctor said it was a fibroid and that I might have to have a hysterectomy. Wow! That made me panic(!). As it turned out, it was only noticeable for a short time and now he doesn't even mention it - as if it's gone. And I don't feel it anymore, either. All that panic for what turned out to be nothing. I have had an ultrasound since then b/c of an abnormal pap, but still nothing.
I hope yours turns out as mine did in the end!

Buzzbabe3 · 05-30-2008, 02:58 PM

What was your abnormal pap result? I had a pap and it showed normal endometrial cells. I had just completed my period on the weekend and had my pap on a monday morning.I still get regular cycles and have not missed a period yet...They wanted me to go in for an ultrasound to check to be sure all was well as once you are 40 you need to get this result checked. She found a fibroid and some thickening of my uterine walls but I was at the end of my cycle, Anyway, she said since she was in there already that I should have the endometrial biopsy just to be sure all is well in there. I am freaking out, worried to death. I have no other symptoms, I still get my cycle and I have no abnormal bleeding...so I was wondering if anyone went through this too...

bethsheba · 05-30-2008, 07:40 PM

About 15 years ago I experienced severe back pain for about 3 days only to learn that it was due to fibroids. My primary referred me to an obgyn who, without asking any questions, said I needed a hysterectomy. Based on my women's classes in college, I knew that the doctors in this country were "hysterectomy happy" and so I went to another doctor for a second opinion. He recommended a hysterectomy also. Although stunned, I had the stamina to ask him why...he said, "Isn't that what you wanted me to say?" Being too flabbergasted to answer, I called the office of an obgyn that I had been a patient years before...my original doctor was still there and still attending the latest symposiums/seminars/whatevers. This doctor, in his late seventies, early eighties, told me I had fibroids the size of small oranges and that they would get smaller and perhaps disappear with menopause. I told him about my previous opinions of surgery, he laughed, and he said basically, that those doctors must have had a few things they wanted to purchase....

To make a long story short, despite fibroids the size of oranges, I chose not to have surgery and haven't had any pain, discomfort, or bleeding since the diagnosis. I am very, very glad I got that THIRD opinion as it was the right opinion for my situation.

Bethsheba