Endometriosis Support Group

Endometriosis is a common medical condition where the tissue lining the uterus is found outside of the uterus, typically affecting other organs in the pelvis. The condition can lead to serious health problems, primarily pain and infertility. A major symptom of endometriosis is pain, mostly in the lower abdomen, lower back, and pelvic area.

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Women's Health
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Ovarian cysts/endometriomas

hotchocolate
hotchocolate
Hi everyone,
I have a complex ovarian cyst. Not sure if it is an endometrioma or not. The nurse practitioner wasn't real helpful with that. :-/ Anyways, I seem to be missing my periods, but during the time when I should have my periods (when I go off the bc pill) I do still get increased pain as if I was having a period....just no bleeding.

Does anyone know if this is common with an endometrioma as opposed to a functional cyst? I get functional cysts all the time, but I never miss periods with them.
felana
felana
All my complex cysts have ended up being endometriomas for what it's worth. I think it's just hard to be sure without surgery so they don't hazard a guess.

As for your question I've never had my period go away when I had an endometrioma, but I've had it be irregular, lots of mid-cycle bleeding, clotty, more rusty "old blood" than usual, etc. I wasn't usually on BC pills though, so hopefully someone who has been can give their insight too.

Take care & hope you get your answers.
hotchocolate
hotchocolate
Thanks for your feedback. I missed yet another period. I'm getting concerned. I've never missed periods, even when I have cysts. The doctor seems to be blowing it off as no big deal. She just says to come back if my pain gets worse. It's not worse, but it is continuing. I've also lost some weight and don't have much of an appetite. :-/
Kimmygens
Kimmygens
I had an endometrioma but my period was like clockwork my whole life, never missed a period and I wasn't on any bc...I had surgery to diagnose that though as they couldn't tell from an ultra sound.
sunkissedpr1ncs
sunkissedpr1ncs
I had 2 8cm endometriomas, one on each ovary removed a couple years ago and they could tell right away from the ultrasound that they were endometriomas. Now I have had one come back and every time I get an ultrasound they are able to tell me the difference between that one and the regular cysts. I would think your doctor should be able to tell the difference, so I would suggest seeing a new doctor or getting another ultrasound done to make sure.

I also just started seeing an endo specialist earlier this year and he told me how the endometriomas could eat away at your ovaries and eggs if you just leave them there, that's why they need to be removed. My first surgery with a diff dr, they were just drained, so when I have my next surgery he is going to excise them off so they hopefully won't come back!