Possible ovarian cyst, ultrasound tomorrow - questions about the procedure, and !

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I know exactly what you're going through--I have endometriosis and a history of ovarian cysts. Have you previously had normal pap-smears? That's the big factor here. My gut reaction is to tell you 19 is pretty young for ovarian or cervical cancer (especially if you know you've had normal paps and have had the Gardasil shots). It's likely your doctor may have spotted an ovarian cyst (not tumor, CYST, which is harmless) that needs closer inspection.

A transvaginal ultrasound is a long probe with a small bulb on the end that is inserted into the vaginal canal to better examine your ovaries; the images show up on a monitor next to your bed as they do in a topical ultrasound. I'm assuming you're having this done because the topical ultrasound was inconclusive? This is the normal next step; don't assume you have something really bad just because your doctor wants to use this measure to get a better look inside you. The entire procedure lasts 10-30 minutes and can be somewhat awkward, as your feet are up in stirrups similar to when you get a pap-smear. Your doctor will use lots of lube, and may even let you insert the probe yourself (she did with me) to ensure your comfort. Once it's inside, it can be slightly uncomfortable but it doesn't hurt. Don't worry unless you have a reason, good luck, and stay strong! :)

The ultrasound takes only a few moments and isn't painful, but can be uncomfortable. Results can vary, depending on who does your ultrasound and if the results need to be examined by another doctor. Generally speaking, a cyst would be pretty obvious. Ovarian cysts are very common, and most resolve on their own in time without medical treatment. Some methods of birth control are known to occasionally cause cysts, so you may want to speak to your doctor to determine if the one you're on could be the cause.