ovarian cyst (w/ intermittent twisting)?

FirePoppy

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone else has/has had ovarian cysts, especially ovarian torsion, during their pregnancy(s)? Would love to hear about your experience (did it shrink? go away? need surgery? how did you deal with the pain and know when it was bad enough to get medical attention?)

My situation is that, on our first ultrasound, the ob found a very large cyst (baseball-sized) on my right ovary. Dr says it's fine for me and baby, and should shrink on its own, but that it could need (surgical) intervention if it twists. Well, so far I've had two bad episodes of intermittent twisting--basically like several hours of horrible pain that radiates across my back, side, and leg. The pain comes in waves and is severe enough that I can't sleep/talk/read/concentrate/etc. during the worst parts. This weekend, it was bad enough to call the dr who suggested tylenol (definitely took the edge off!) and to go to the ER if I vomited or got a fever. It went away, so the dr says it's probably just twisting and then untwisting. 

Also, if anyone else is dealing with this, there's a positive story--a friend of mine had a grapefruit-sized ovarian cyst throughout her entire pregnancy with twins, with no problems or interventions.

comealongponds

I had bilateral ovarian cysts on my first few ultrasounds. The pain was mild and intermittent and I usually didn't need to do anything for it...they were gone on my 8w ultrasound! On an earlier ultrasound one had burst and resulted in some free fluid in my pelvis (likely blood) that also resolved on its own. A friend of mine (not pregnant) had a massive (cantaloupe sized) cyst removed recently with no issues. 

angelz429

The problem is if they twist it cuts off blood flow to the ovary and then your ovary dies and will need to be removed. Trust your doctor on when to go to the hospital. It's much easier for them to go in and decompress/drain and untwist than remove. 

een23

I had a golf ball sized cyst on my right ovary during my last pregnancy. I didn't have any pain or other symptoms, however it did continue to grow during my entire pregnancy and postpartum. I ended up having it surgically removed at 6 weeks postpartum because it was still growing and I was having my gall bladder removed at the same time (due to gall stones).

pinnerk

I have a golf ball sized cyst on my left ovary that 1 Dr wanted to remove but the other said it was fine. Its a demoid cyst so its a hard mass. If I lay down on my back and feel around my hip but further over, I can feel it. 
I don't get too much pain but I think I've just become used to it since I've had it for about 8 years 

Ash9614

After taking Letrozole to get KU, we did a 7 week scan and RE told me I had a large cyst on my left ovary. I'm now 10 weeks, last scan was at 9 weeks. Cyst doesn't appear to be growing but apparently it's still huge (almost as big as my 9 week pregnant uterus). I'm under strict instructions to take it easy. No running, bouncing, twisting, etc. My exercise now consists of 30-45 minute walks. 

Doc said that the cyst was actually helping to support the pregnancy's early stages, because it was emitting lots of progesterone to help baby stick. She also said it will likely go down on its own once the placenta takes over, which according to my app, should be happening now. Have my OB work up in 2 weeks, hoping to see that it's home down! 

No real advice since I'm still going through it, but maybe make sure you take it easy and don't jostle yourself too much until it goes down? Good luck!

BmcD2016

I had a tennis ball sized one (that I believe was from Mirena) a few years back, not knocked up. It was terrible terrible pain. They didn't know it was that large until I went into surgery to have it drained. Keep relaxed.

PCOSbaby

*Lurking from October 2016*

I'm currently out on FMLA after having ovarian torsion due to a cyst. Since this was my second encounter with this horrible condition, I recognized the pain and drove myself to the ER with efforts to save my baby...and left ovary. My right ovary wasn't so lucky two years ago.

As a pp mentioned, the cyst is providing progesterone to support the pregnancy however if you experience excruciating pain associated with vomiting and a fever, PLEASE go to the ER. 

There are interventions available if you have to have the cyst drained. My incident happened to me during week 10 {before the placenta took over in providing progesterone}, I was given progesterone supplements to support the pregnancy for two weeks. 

Well wishes!

FirePoppy

you all are the best--thank you for sharing your stories! Comforting to know that others are in the same boat and good advice!