Endometrioma: The process of being diagnosed!

[PDS21]

I had an ultrasound done a few weeks ago and got the results the next day. The report says I have an Endometrioma on my right ovary so my doctor has now referred me to a gynaecologist who I will see in a few weeks. Was just wondering what the process is for everything? Are ultrasound really reliable and I definitely have Endometrioma/endometriosis? What am I to expect from my first appointment with the gyno?

Initially I found it quite hard to process emotionally after reading a lot about these cysts and fertility. I’m ok now but I think I just want to know what to expect from the next couple of months.

I get severe pain days before my period, throughout my period and days afte it ends I get a lot of back pain and also pain during bowel movement. I sometimes also get paid middle of my cycle in between periods

Would love to hear from people with same / similar experiences

[samo1]

Hi, I had an endometrioma on my left ovary. I had a laparoscopy to remove the ovary. Please make sure you research the surgeon beforehand and you will be fine xx

[PDS21 in reply to samo1]

How long did you have to wait for the surgery after finding out? Did you have multiple test or just the ultrasound?

[samo1 in reply to PDS21]

I had an ultrasound scan which showed the endometrioma on my left ovary. I was scheduled for a laparoscopy a few months later.

[Emmoooo]

Technically they cannot say for sure with just an ultrasound. Your gynaecologist will most likely send you for more tests like an MRI to check the contents of the cyst and then do a Laproscopy if they feel it's right.

I'm currently waiting for my lap after a year of numerous tests around pain etc and finally finding a few large cysts - but my gynaecologist gave me a mirena coil to help whilst going through the process of diagnostic and it's helped tenfold with ALL my pain. Basically because I now dont have periods which is fine by me! Maybe if the pain is severe ask what they can do whilst you await results/tests.

[PDS21 in reply to Emmoooo]

Thank you, I will definitely discuss the mirena coil with the doctor, seen a lot of people talk about it. She’s put me on a pill which has shorten the length of my period but still very much in pain.

[Emmoooo in reply to PDS21]

I would definitely ask the question. The pill is still allowing you to bleed/ovulate which, if you do have endo, is why it's painful. You can actually take the pill back to back with no breaks (sort of mimicking the coil) but I'd talk to the gynae first. Hopefully you get sorted quick!

[wanwood]

I would really recommend reading the information sheets on the Endometriosis UK web site! I found them helpful:

endometriosis-uk.org/gettin...

More here:

endometriosis-uk.org/public...

[Nina1980]

Hi

Sorry to hear your experiencing pain. I was diagnosed with endometriosis several years ago after having a lap to remove a benign extra ovarian tumour butdidn't need treatment as i didn't have symptoms. Fast forward this year i have been getting pain and was sent for ultrasound by gp which identified free fluid in pouch of douglas, endometrial polyp and a small hemorrhagic corpus luteum.. was referred to gynaecologists to remove poly. My gynecologists repeated ultrasound and found polyp has resolved but i had a small lesion on ovary (under 2cm) which on previous scans looked like a corpus luteum. My gynecologists thought it may be an endometrioma but scheduled me for surgery. From the point of seeing gynaecologists for first appt to laparoscopy it was less than 6 weeks.

Most often cysts cause lots of horrible symptoms, even the tiny ones in my case but are usually not sinister.

Your gynaecologists will likely do a pelvic examimationand may take swabs. He may also send you for blood tests and MRI as others have mentioned.

good luck x

[Hidden]

I was diagnosed back in 04 via ultrasound it sometimes depends on the size the bigger it is the easier it is to pick up on an ultrasound however they can’t 100% say for certain without having other tests like MRI or CT scans I have ct scans as hate being so enclosed in an mri. Dependant on size is if they operate or not usually done via a laparoscopy. They can give you various tablets to help with the pain microginon, provera, mefanamic acid having coil fitted and even the depo injection. Unfortunately it depends on how bad it is and gyneys preference on what they think is going to work best what works for one person doesn’t always work for the next. It could be a bit of trial and error to find the best to manage your symptoms I got diagnosed November 04 was told to go on the pill anyway it helped for a bit and then pain got so bad I was passing out with the pain I ended up getting scheduled for surgery in May 06 however I ended up having emergency surgery 13/01/06 as the cyst I had a chocolate one ruptured so surgery was done within 6 hours of me arriving at the hospital. Now I’m back at the gyney on 21/10 as I’m having flare ups again and nothing I’ve done is managing it now so looking for an alternative.

[PDS21 in reply to Hidden]

I’m so sorry you are now having trouble managing it. I hope you find relief soon and thank you so much for the information. I will definitely ask for options on managing the pain when it’s unbearable- the hospital gave me codeine the first time I had severe pain I ended up in a&e said to only take it when it’s bad. I find codeine does not agree with me so always reluctant to take it

[Hidden]

If you don’t do well with codeine try asking for nefopam it works the same way but is not opiate based some people struggle with opiate based drugs just an idea for you 😊