Abnormal bleeding & high CA-125

[tonicgirl19]

I had post sex bleeding a few times last month- once was post orgasm with no penetration. Tests have been run..pap, hpv and colposcopy (no biopsy was performed just look through a microscope) and all of those were good. Transvaginal and pelvic ultrasound revealed a 3cm ovarian cyst with septation. I've had this cyst a while and it has been slow growing over a few years. Only now the tech classified it as having septation. A CA-125 test was done and came back with a high number- 134. I'm freaking out. I have no symptoms of ovarian cancer but am starting to think this is my problem. But would this cause my abnormal bleeding?? I'm at a loss. Anyone have a similar story or advice on what is going on. I'm just turned 37 years old.

[AskEveTeam]

Hi there,

Thanks for your post - we're sorry to hear that you're having a stressful and worrying time at the moment.

It’s reassuring that your smear and colposcopy examinations are all normal.

CA 125 is produced when there is an irritation within the peritoneal cavity ( that’s the area of the body from rib cage down to pelvis) , it can be raised with all sorts of things for example appendicitis and benign ovarian cysts, as well a ovarian cancer. So, it's not a test for ovarian cancer, but it can help piece the puzzle together, if there is a concern with the ovaries.

Your team will need to get you checked out with a gynaecologist to find out what is causing this cyst, and cysts with septation (as with most types of ovarian cysts) are more likely to be benign than cancerous.

If you would like to talk this through in detail some more then please do email our nurse specialist on [e-mail]

Wishing you all the best,

The Ask Eve Team