WARNING: The Embarrassing Bodies website contains images of an explicit medical nature and nudity in a medical context.

Embarrassing Bodies , 9:00pm Friday 19th March 2010 on Channel 4. Catch up for free »

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.

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
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.

hey, i'm 19 now but was diagnosed with pcos when i was about 16 by ultra sound after about 2 years of 'suffering'. i was having irregular periods, maybe 2 a year and were really heavy which made me weak and i could barely walkand had spotting on and off. i was overweight with no reason for it, i ate healthy. had excessive hair growth and as a young girl felt very depressed by this. after the test came back positive my doctor FINALLY did something and put me on the pill. the 1st one didn't work, i think it was too light. after 6 months or so i was put on yasmine or yasminelle(cant remember) and this completely didnt agree with me, i became psycho. i was extremely depressed for no reason and paranoid and i thought this is the way im going to be and i just have to deal. this was with me for about another 6 months because i didn't realise it was the pill i was taking. eventually i was convinced to go to the docs and she changed my pill to Mercilon and for the past year and a half it's been so different. i've lost some weight, my skin has improved, my periods are so much better...more or less no pain!! i wouldn't say i'm depressed anymore but i do get the occasional lows like everyone. i just want to say that you know your body and what is right and wrong so persist with your doctors and don't settle, try different things. you never know, it might just make a difference in your life. it has in mine. x





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I've noticed a soft, squishy lump with a small dip in it, i can feel it when i put my finger inside myself, i'm really worried it's something serious? has anyone else experienced this? or can anyone tell me what it is?





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I was diagnosed with pcos last year, my doc referred me to a doc who specialises in gynaecology, i found him to be particularly useless, he didnt really tell me anything unless i asked him but i had researched most stuff through the internet luckily. he put me on yasmin...well i felt like my body was fighting against whatever is in that pill because for the first month i had stomach cramps, headaches, nausea, pains in my chest and neck just about everything! second month not so bad just felt irratic, strange and snappy with a little depression mixed in...i was thinking at this point to give up the pills but i perciveered , month 3 was so crazy i felt like a teenager with all the symptoms of month 1 and 2 mixed in! not good and im not touching them again!!! i had to have the blood test for hormone levels, which i did and they came back borderline but i guess i still had the yasmin pill in my system so im going to get another hormone test done in the hope it sheds some light on things. I have another appointment next saturday where i guess he will try and pump more drugs into me...im beginning to think there must be a better solution than popping pills for the rest of my life. i have 2 kids, one of which is 2 years old...my periods are fairly regular and one a month always, slight fluffiness of the face, fat pads developing above the hips, i always seem to have frequent tummy trouble too, my liver was showing up with raised billirubin levels but went back to normal(i rarely drink) but the weirdest thing is i get really hypo sometimes and guess its one of the hormones that are not quite right..does anyone else get like this??? maybe im going crackers!!!





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hi i am a 21years old and a virgin.I have had problems with my periods from the word go but this last year has got alot worse i have been but on the pill and r not aloud to have any breaks. I get real bads pain low down down and bleed sometimes there is clots but wats more worrying is these pains seem to drain me and i feel like i am going to pass out. I have been to doctors and they reffered my to hospital where i had a laproscopy and that came back clear but my problem is getting worse not better there is endermetrious in the family my mam and sister has it. my mam has had a hysterectomy they is also fibroids in the family.I lost my nanna to cervical cancer 2 years ago and now my cousin has just been dignosed with cervical cancer. I am getting very worried as my problem has been going on for over 1yr but doctors never seem to listen to me please can anyone help me.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi i suffer from frequent periods. I have had this problem since i was 18 when i would bleed inbetween periods for 1 or 2 days but now my periods last for 4 weeks i then get a 5-7 day break and then it starts all over again. Iam now 26 and have 3 children, my problem got significantly worse since i had my 3rd child 3 years ago, i have been referred to a gyno by my gp and had ultra sounds. At first they said i had pcos but another gyno said it was a hormonal inbalance. I have been on several pills including various mini pills and combined pills, a coil which came away 1 week later and iam now on provera which is not helping at all, my gyno gives me a new pill to take everytime i see them and then sends me away for 3 months to see if it works and so i am being to feel like this will never be solved. I also have to be careful what i take as my mum, her sister and their cousin have had breast cancer and my mum is awaiting genetic testing. This condition is taking over my life iam constantly exhausted, have frequent dizzy spells(now taking iron to help with this)headaches, spots and now have dandruff. I have no way of knowing when a period will start or stop and when iam bleeding it varies between heavy and spotting, dark blood and bright red blood, small clots,large clots and no clots from day to day. Please can you help me.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I have exactly the same problem and no one seems to help. I've noticed no- one has answered you its so depressing its unreal and all the things you have described such as spots, dandruff and head aches do nothing for your confidence sex life and looking after the kids properly. I have 2 children i am 28, i've been on numerous pills, plus had 3 scans and they have found nothing please like lauren im looking for an answer can anyone help us please.

Hy I am 20 years old and I have suffered with pcos for many years now and I have been taking yasmine for nearly 2 years I find it quite good but my hormones are so up and down all the time does anyone know if thats normal? I did go and see a gynaecologist and he said I had many cists on my ovaries which wasn't pleasent to hear and that if I don't get pregnant he can give me a tablet which increases fertility. I was on diannette but didnt see any effects. I do get down about being odd to many other woman but I think its alot to do with depression.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

It's not depression. I am 21 and was diagnosed with pcos 8 years ago. I had a whole range of things given to me including the dianette and yasime. It does depend on your symptoms but if you are trying to have a baby then i would come off all the pills. If you can. It takes about 1yr for the contraceptive pill to get out of the system for a normal person so you probably wouldn't fall preganant anyway in that time. I am getting married in July and then trying for a family straight away because of the time it could take. But my advice would be if you can do it without meds its worth a go becuase psoc is a hormaone imbalance, all the pilss and tablets only makes it worse, though it may help your symptoms it doesn't help the condition.

I have PCOS and I was treated for it by using the oral contraceptive (The pill) This was fine from when I was 18 - 21. Since then I have had no period so I was put on Metformin, which did not work. Was given Northisterone (Which game me a terrible bleed) then I took the pill again. Now I have been told I am not allowed to take the pill as it caused a cyst on my cervix. I am rather worried how I need to regualte my periods and what contraception to use. As every Dr I have spoken to keeps passing me on to somebody else. SOS.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

i was also diagnosed with pcos when i was 18 im now now 20. However i have had regular periods since august, been to see my doctor and she said they may be going because u have lost weight its very confusing and doctors arent really bothered they just said there common an u just have to live with them. The only symptom i had was not having periods i havent really had any other syptoms. i do worry tho as i have been with my boyfriend for 7 years and im scared that we will never have children!





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi,I have been diagnosed with pcos,I have been to the Doctors time after time,Its realy hard because you do feel you are on your own,I have the same sypton as you,Just mt periods not been regular,sometimes they are then they are not,I feel I never know where I am.Me and my partner have been trying for a baby for a year now,I have been to my doctor for some help,and now waiting for a appointment at the hospital to see what help they can give us,but I do understand what you are saying because I am scared to!

me 2 i have pcos was diagnosed with it when i was 17 im now 21 ive been on the pills and tried the creams but nothing works at all the hair keeps coming back its soo embarassing as every1 sees ur face and i knw hows use feel totally paranoid sometimes is there anything out there that will kill the root hair 4ever? there should be more help out there 4 it seems more women are getting pcos yet thers no solution permanetly 4 it x





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

i have taken the same pills for years different doctors have prescribe them and the same outcome NOTHING. once i stoped taking them the weight gain stoped and the abnormal body functions stop my period started to come regular every month. i just eat healthy and try to do little exercise and i have been getting a visiter every month for 10 months stay positive it will happen.

hi i as just wondering what to do about my pcos we are trying for a baby and gave been trying for a baby for 2 yr now and there just no luck i havnt had a period since last august. i have been told about some tablets called clomid you can get, do you think these tablets work or not. how could i bring my period on again? i really need advice i am really frustrated with it all. Thanx





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Clomid is ok, but you have to start taking it on the 2nd day of your period so if you're not getting periods i can't see that it will work for you. Try asking your gp for metformin to start with. Although it's a medication primarily for diabetes it is now widely used in the treatment of pcos. I was diagnosed with pcos 13 years ago and although i've had no luck on the baby front a friend of mine took metformin also and she became pregnant. The metformin helps to make you more fertile so if your gp isn't willing to prescribe it for you insist on being referred to a specialist. Good luck





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.



Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

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





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.



Please don't swear or be rude in your questions, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting questions. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines


Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here


More Information

  1. Consultation: Second Adult Circumcision

    In Videos - Dr Jessen examines a patient in need of a new circumcision

  2. Dr James Russell

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr James Russell.

  3. Dr Priya Manickavasagar

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Priya.

  4. Consultation: Soreness on the Penis

    In Videos - A patient is examined for soreness around his penis

  5. Dr Pixie McKenna

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Pixie.

  6. Dr Christian Jessen

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Christian

  7. Dr Dawn Harper

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Dawn.

  8. How To Check Your Testicles

    In Videos - Dr Harper's guide to how to self-check your balls against testicula…

  9. Bodies Behaving Badly

    In Episodes - Episode 1 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies examines conditions includ…

  10. Breasts

    In Episodes - In this second of four specials, the Embarrassing Illnesses doctors…

  11. Men

    In Episodes - The EI Docs go in search of the most elusive creature in the doctor…

  12. Vaginas

    In Episodes - The EI team roll into Norwich to setup a clinic in one of the count…

  13. Boys, Boys, Boys

    In Episodes - Episode 3 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies takes a closer look at bin…

  14. Teens Below the Belt

    In Episodes - Episode 4 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies tackles conditions includi…

  15. Am I Normal?

    In Episodes - Episode 2 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies looks at conditions includ…


More Information

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 »

Be on the Show

Have you been inspired by the patients in the current series to seek help for your problem? Apply to be on the show here >