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Conditions

Ovarian Cysts

Benign ovarian cyst

An ovarian cyst is a growth or swelling on, or inside, the ovary (the female reproductive system that releases an egg every month), which can either be solid or filled with fluid. If solid, the cyst may be called a “tumour”, which, with all its cancerous connotations, can be particularly terrifying. However, you’ll be relieved to know that it’s just the medical term for any swelling and the vast majority of ovarian growths are benign and not cancerous. There are several types of ovarian cyst, but the most common is a functional ovarian cyst, of which there are two types: a follicular cyst and Corpus luteum cysts. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition that causes women to develop lots of small, benign cysts on their ovaries, which develop due to a hormonal imbalance. Symptoms can include pain and discomfort low down in the abdomen, which can come and go, and may be more noticeable after sex and changes to periods.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

i want to know what kinds of tests can the doctor do to check for PCOS?





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a few years ago i would wake in the nite with sharp pains down below it only lasts seconds the doc done a swob but was ok ive noticed afta sex i get th pain aswell now any ideas?





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Hi,Im 19. today i have been diagnosed with PCOS. I knew there was something up as ive always had a 'feeling' around a year and 1/2 ago to when i came of a contraceptive pill i never had a cycle after taken it which i thought was great, but it got serious as i still havent been on. I was woundering is 19 too young to start too try for a child as i know it can take a while to concieve with pcos? And my GP wants to put me on Metformin? Does this make you concieve quicker?





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i have been diagnosed with pcos since i was 14 and im now 25. at 14 i got told i would never have children which destroyed me but 5 years ago i lost 7 stone and within a short while my periods came back with not having one for 4 years and within 5 months i was pregnant with my daughter who is now 4. Never think it's impossible as a few changes here and there could change your whole life. i have since put the weight back on but have now prescribed metformin which is helping with my monthly cycle but i will need to lose my weight again if i want more children. good luck xx





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what age do you have to be to get medical help falling pregnant. could i get help falling pegnant at seventeen as i suffer from pcos and have been trying for a year now with no success.





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I have sudden sharp pains in my vagina. They last for a few seconds then go. Not pregnant and no children. No pattern to the pain. Any ideas?





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Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/

how do you know when an ovarian cyst has burst? what happens? and does it have anything in commen with gastritis?





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Hello, i want to ask something... I have a irregular period since the 1st day. I'm 17 female by the way and i'm still a virgin. And it's start between 2-3 months long to have my menstrual period. Then i am waiting for 6 months to have my period, and i am worried. I went to the doctor and have a ultrasound (i don't know what it's called) it's said i have a polycystic ovaries, i'm worried if it's too dangerous.. But until now i'm taking a pill (the doctor gave me) to my period didn't start.. But i want to have a regular period, but how?Thanks for the reply in advance (:





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hey, i recently went to the doctors as i have most of the symptons for pcos, ive got excess hair, really irregualer periods, weightgain, and ive had no luck getting pregnant, however the doctor done a blood test and said theres nothing wrong but i think there really is, my confidence is so low and i just dont know what to do as i know theres something not right with my body is there anything else i can do to find out?





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Hi i recently had a blood test that came back clear. My Docter said sometimes pcos does not show up in blood tests, so he sent me for a scan and this confermed that i do have pcos. So if u haven't had 1 get ur doctor to send u 4a scan!

Hi yes, I went to the docotrs complaining regularly for years and never got any answers! Eventually a few month ago (7years after first co plaint) I insisted on further checks. My bloods showed nothing abnormal but the ultra sound confirmed pcos. Don't get fobbed off by ur gp with answers like 'some women just have irregular periods' or 'it's normal when your young'! It's taken me too long to get answers, demand an ultrasound to make sure.

Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/

I have been going to the doctors for years now about my irregular periods and never seen to get an answer. I also had terrible abdominal pain at 14-17 years old but no longer get this. I decided to be persistant this time and demand answers. I am a particularly hairy person as I get it on my chin, bum cheeks, nipples and abdonen (since 14years old which I think is unusual), plus it is also very thick elsewhere. The doctor told me that I am just unfortunately hairy but not abnormal. Plus my periods are every 10-14 days instead of being far apart and I am only a size 12 at 22, which is not over weight. After demanding an answer I had blood tests which came back normal however, my ultra sound has revealed polycystic ovaries. The hospital told me that I do have the ovarian cysts but the syndrome must be diagnosed by my G.P. To have PCOS the doctor must declare me so, if the consider me to have enough of the symtoms, otherwise I just have PCO. Personally I think my hair is enough evidence but unless I have more symtoms such as infertillity I am unlikely to be diagnosed. To be honest I cant find this out unless I try to become pregnant. I have planned to have my children at 30 as although I am financially secure, I have just given up my career to do a degreee to secure an even better future. But in reality what is that with out children? Do you think that it is worh considering a baby now? I am so concerned that if I am to discover the infertiliy problem at 30, and have to try for 5 years that it may be too late (as other complications can occure). It is possible for me and my fiance to try, it just wasn't the plan. I have read that it is the cysts that prevent the egg being released so i could still have this problem, as I do have the cysts. Any advice much appreciated.





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hi,i'm the same as you in a way.i planned 2 have children at 30 but when i found out i had pcos i didn't kno if i was infertile.so at 21 i decided to start trying.6 years later and still no luck.if you think you're ready then start trying now,in my opinion,it might take quite a while anyway.good luck whatever u choose though.

I have now been diagnosed as having the syndrom. The doctor advised that it is better not to wait until 30 as I have time on my hands. She said that after 1 year of trying they would refer me to hospital and then I would receive fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation. Have you had any treatment?





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

An ovarian cyst is a sac of tissue that develops inside an ovary. It is very common, usually painless and will often go away without treatment. Read More »

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