Cyst Exam Question

catsnack · 10-21-2006, 11:24 PM

I was just wondering what the typical exam for cysts entailed.

Is it an internal one? I'm starting to get the nagging feeling that I might have some cysts, but no doctor has ever mentioned any exams for them. I really hate any dr things related to internal type exams. I know it's been mentioned around here before, but darned if I could find it.

For those of you that do have cysts, could you tell before you got the exam?

mommywant2b · 10-21-2006, 11:31 PM

I first had an exam by a dr. where they stick 2 fingers up in you and push down on your stomach to try and feel what they can. Once she was pretty sure that I had cysts she scheduled a pelvic US. That is where they take this wand like thing and stick that up in you and it shows them on a screen if you have cysts.
HTH
-Emily

beejcee · 10-22-2006, 12:03 AM

by the way -- i have had this exam many times and it doesn't hurt at all... they do make you drink water before the exam.... if you have to have it, it's a pretty easy test! and i have had it done by both men and women....and at different facilities.....

MommyJenny74 · 10-22-2006, 06:55 AM

Hi cyster,
I've had both pelvic exams and pelvic ultrasounds. I just had a pelvic exam yesterday, and the doc was checking for ovary enlargement, pain etc. by doing the bimanual part, like Emily was saying. The pelvic ultrasound they did both external and internal. The external: they had me drink lots of water, then pressed on my stomach with the u/s wand. I felt lots of pressure because my bladder was so full! Then they let me go to the bathroom, and then did the internal. I laid down w/ my feet in stirrups (just like when you have a pap) and the tech asked me to put the wand inside (sorry if this is TMI). The part they put in, is about the size of a tampon (I had pictured MUCH larger~LOL) Then the tech took the wand and he moved it around inside. He showed me what he was seeing on the screen as he worked. The part I found uncomfortable was when he had to press hard on my lower stomach with his hand, which he said was because one ovary was "hiding" behind my intestine. But it really wasn't so bad (and I am very scared of that sort of thing!)

Hope this helps cyster,
Hugs
Jenny

catsnack · 10-22-2006, 05:49 PM

That's helpful... does sound a bit dreadful though. Do you get discomfort if you just press on your lower belly/side yourself. When I do it it doesn't necessairly hurt, but it gets a bit uncomfortable. I only have one ovary and it doesn't seem to happen on the other side (I lost the other one when i was young so I always forget which side I have, but I think I still have the one on the side that can be uncomfortable.) TMI. I need to confirm which side I have one on, but if I'm right then cysts would be my guess. ;P

Thanks for the input.

Smile04 · 10-22-2006, 07:08 PM

I only had the abdominal ultrasound when they were checking for cysts. They metioned the transvaginal ultrasound but didnt do it.

MommyJenny74 · 10-23-2006, 05:05 AM

It doesn't really hurt to press on my lower abdomen myself (unless I'm having a cyst burst that day or having AF).

If you do end up having this done, it's really not so bad (I promise!) I am an admitted wimp about all things medical, and really, it wasn't bad.

I hope you feel better soon, and get the answers you need

If there's anything I can answer for you or you just need to talk, please feel free to let me know.

Hugs
Jenny