Does anyone know how long it takes for a chocolate cyst of the ovary to form? Thank you xx

[Katie21]

Could it develop in a couple of months, say if your Endometriosis wasn't being treated?

[Starstellar7]

I'm also wondering about this Katie, I had one removed a few years ago after taking a break from the pill. Silly me thought I'd have a break from the hormones in the pill and a few months later I started to feel pretty terrible due to a cyst.

My guess would be that a cyst would take a few months to form, but if you have very heavy periods maybe quicker.

Do you think you have one?

[Impatient]

Sure can appear fast - in one period cycle in fact. But how quickly it grows depends on your body and how much blood it pumps in to the cyst. so depends on the supply of blood, and your blood clotting factors too, and how much room there is to grow and how strong the outside tissue of the cyst is too.

As an example I had an endometrioma that suddenly burst. no idea what size it was, but the pain was excrutiating paralytic pain and i was taken by ambulance to hosp it was that bad.

I was scanned 2 weeks later - it was completely deflated .

about 6 weeks after that was a follow up scan and by then it had refilled and was 6cm in size and as it was still leaking and causing pain, it would have been even bigger if the leak had been plugged up.

Also had an 8cm endometrioma causing no problems at all.

They can form with one menstrual cycle and fill up very fast indeed, they can just as easily disappear quietly too, or burst in an explosion, or spring a leak and slowly drain away, or they can slowly get bigger and bigger over several months or even years.

2 months is ample for a cyst to grow to a substantial size - big enough to need surgery. it really is pot luck with cysts.

[Katie21]

Thank you so much ladies for your replies. Very informative, poor you Impatient having to go to A & E!! The reason I asked is that I had one 10 years ago that grew really large and had to be removed via laporatomy (spelt wrong) and it was then I had my Endo diagnosis. (This was after many years of going to the Dr with period pain etc!!) Was put on combined pill and took it without incidence for 10 years, it was brilliant, my Endo seemed to completely go away. I put packets together and completely suppressed my cycle and the Endo, the gyneocologist said that stopping my cycle would stop other cysts forming. ) However, 6 months ago the Dr advised a break due to a visual disturbance I experienced at work, and I went on the Cerelle Mini pill which didn't suit me. My cycle came back immediately as did the Endo pain (especially cramping in the right side where I had my chocolate cyst and partial ovary removal ten years ago!!) I have had a nightmare six months. However, after repeated trips to the Dr, I was allowed back on the combined pill ten days ago, to my relief. However, I still have got the cramping pain I had before and I am worried that a chocolate cyst grew during my break from the pill! Endo such a nightmare!!!!

[Impatient]

Is the cramping ache there all month or more in keeping with a menstrual cycle?

If it is persistent and everyday is a problem then it sure couldbe a cyst, whether it is big enough for surgery is another matter. I would speak to your GP explain that this is a daily pain issue and much like what you experienced with a previous cyst and ask if you can have a scan to see if there is one there. It may be small and leaking which is causing the pain and that may subside and the cyst reabsorb back in to your body, but i there is one then it would be sensible to have a follow up scan a couple of months after to see if it has grown large enough to warrant surgery.

Being on muscle relaxant painkillers like naproxen and voltarol (diclofenac) and that sort of tablet can take the edge off, and might be a better option than coping with over the counter pain killers if a cyst is found.

but it could be other things too. Twisted cyst or twisted ovary can also cause constant pain, so too can adhesions that have stuck two organs together. A scan can detect those too if the sonographer knows what they are look at.

If it stays like this then please speak with your GP. it may be just irritation from endo bleeds and the combi back to back might be enough to calm things down without needing surgery. Depends how much pain you are in.

I think I would probably try the pill for a few weeks if you can manage that then see GP if the pain situation hasn't noticeably improved. but if it is too much already then see him sooner - at least in so far as getting suitably strong pain killers while you figure out what the cause is and are waiting for a scan on the gynae organs.

[Katie21]

Thank you so much Impatient for your reply, it has really helped and it makes such a difference to chat to people who understand. Pain intermittent and not bad (is this

[Katie21]

thus far connected to cycle.) Am going to persevere for a few weeks and go back to Dr if no improvement. Again thanks so much for reply xx

[Lilly83]

Well I had a scan and was told I had a 5cm endometrioma, a couple of months later had my first lap and it was 8cm, it was drained, 3 months after that I had my second lap and it was there again at 18cm!! I couldn't believe it, I'm now 12 months since my first lap and had a scan last week and they saw no endometriomas just a 2cm either simple or basic cyst can't remember what they called it x

[Neenajaz in reply to Lilly83]

Did they drain the 18cm cyst too or did it dissolve or burst. I have my third 6cm cyst. Lost one ovary already don't want to lose another.