Cysts

[gem1092]

Just a quick question.

Can you feel large cysts from the outside? Every now and then my stomach swells out in a round shape like I've swallowed a football.

The left side around my left ovary area feels very tender and hard ...is there a cyst there?

[allyshia89]

If I was you I'd go and see your GP about your concerns & ask to have a pelvic ultrasound. If you have any cysts this should show up. I was having irregular periods and my GP thought I could have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) My ultrasound had shown I had cysts on my left ovary but because my bloods were okay I wasn't diagnosed. Cysts can also be connected to endometriosis as why I am still pursuing a diagnosis as I have a number of other symptoms x

[carolineeballard]

I've had large endometrioma cysts in the past. My tummy did look "bloated" but I couldn't distinguish a cyst.

A doctor will be able to, my GP could feel them right away. And my endometriosis consultant even estimated the size.

Definitely make an appointment to see your GP x

[gem1092 in reply to carolineeballard]

Thank you for your quick replies. I had an ultrasound about 2 months ago now which didn't show any active cysts but they did find 'free fluid' floating around which suggested a cyst had recently burst. I'm booked in to have my first lap next Friday so I guess they will find it if there is one then it was just a weird feeling yesterday I felt I could feel a ball inside my lower abdomen x

[JeanOsborne]

Hi I had a 11cm endometrioma on left ovary which I could definitely feel.

[Hidden]

I couldn't feel mine, I had three large ones. I suppose it depends where they are?! I've certainly noticed since they've gone!! How come you have to wait for the lap? If you have had a rupture then it is not safe to leave it. I ended up with inflammation and an infection after one of mine ruptured.

[gem1092 in reply to Hidden]

The lap is to look for endometriosis the only time a cyst has been mentioned is when they found the free fluid. I was just wondering what the swelling was from

[Hidden in reply to gem1092]

I suppose the free fluid could be from another form of cyst, rather than an endometrioma? If you do have endo then swelling does usually occur with it. It causes inflammation, so parts of your intestines can become inflamed which causes the swelling or bloating. This is why women complain of an endo belly. Mine gets terribly bloated and before I had the cystectomy, I looked six months pregnant. The cysts of course were very low down in my pelvis but the swelling was right up and under my boobs!!