[Question #3409] Ovarian cysts or HPV

89 months ago

Hello. I asked a question one here many months ago about symptoms I was having after being treated for trich. These symptoms were lower back pain and abdominal cramps. I eventually went to the ER last year in September due to constant pain. Upon conducting an ultrasound, the ER doctor found a small ovarian cyst on my left ovary and one that is dissolving on my right ovary. He told me that there were quite a few that were on both ovaries that were healing. He then told me it was nothing that he could do and if it persists go to the gyno. I did not have health insurance at the time, and now that I do, I scheduled an appointment to the gyno on Wednesday.

My concern is that I was convinced that maybe I had an ovarian cyst or cysts until this week I noticed spotting while wiping in the shower and then again yesterday there was clumpy discharge and with spotting. I missed my cycle last week, and the spotting occurred a week after my cycle. I was spotting very small blood clots. I researched and found out that I could be infected with HPV that causes cervical cancer. I read where symptoms take some years to persist. I became sexually active at 21 and all of my encounters, but two were protected. My ex-fiance and the guy friend that gave me trich were unprotected. I am 25 years old. Is it possible that my ex-fiance or the guy friend gave me cancer strain HPV? I am not sure if ovarian cysts cause these ailments. I also had issues with growing gray hair along the edges, a strand of hair on chin, and hair on chest. During my last cycle, it was very short, and the blood was not heavy and the one before that I was bleeding brown tinged blood before the cycle started. Are these symptoms of HPV or something else? What should I ask my gyn?

89 months ago

Also, this only happens after finish working out and shower not when I wipe. The pain has been ongoing for almost a year

Edward W. Hook M.D.

89 months ago

Welcome back to the forum. Thanks for the follow up and letting me know about your ovarian cysts. Thiey could be the basis for many of the symptoms which we interacted about in the past, including your pelvic and back pain. There are many varieties of ovarian cyst problems and working with your GYN will help to sort this out. Ovarian cyst cause a variety of different symptoms and the first thing to do when you see your GYN is to ask her/him whether or not the problems you have mentioned above could be related. Further discussion of Ovarian cysts without a definitive diagnosis and more information is beyond the scope of this forum.

I would also add that spotting can occasionally be a symptom of chlamydia or other STD problems. I presume that when you see the GYN you will be screened for STI's as is appropriate for a sexually active woman of your age.. I would encourage you to make sure you are tested when you are seen next week. I would not worry about STI & AIDS however until you have been tested and know the test results.

You may also have HPV. If so, this is a different problem unrelated to your ovarian cyst and probably unrelated to your most recent spotting and related symptoms. As a sexually active adult with two previous unprotected and other protected partners you have at least a 50% chance of having HPV. If you do this is not cause for alarm. Over 99% of HPV infections resolve without progression to cancer or causing other problems.

I hope this perspective is helpful. EWH

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89 months ago

Hello doctor thanks so much for responding. Yes, I have been tested since last sexual encounter for every STD except for syphilis over 3 times all negative. Is it possible to have syphilis on the cervix that also could be causing this? I also conducted a home testing HIV kit 2 days before 6 weeks after last sexual contact. This was almost a year ago. I haven't had sex since then. Should I ask the gyno for another round of testing?

It's also good to hear that HPV clears itself before turning to cancer. If that is case then why there are women that have cervical cancer related to HPV? Is it possible I can have the cancer strain along with syphilis? I'm just very concerned and trying to cover all basis.

Also, I recently showered and I did not see anymore discharge or spotting. The cramping has left as well but it's only mild.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

89 months ago

Glad to hear that you've had tests for STIs although I worry that you may be over testing. Nothing about your symptoms suggests syphilis and that is nothing I would suggest to worry about,

You may have mis- understood what I said about HPV. A the majority of sexually active women will have HPV infection. And in most of those individuals the infection will clear on its own overtime. But, in a very small proportion (less than 1%) the infection may go on to cancer. As an intermediate stage there are abnormalities in PAP smears which is why they are recommended periodically. Given your history, and the information you have provided in the previous interchanges, I am confident that you have neither Syphilis nor cancer. My sincere advice is to focus on the ovarian cyst and work with your GYN beginning next week to address these issues. I would not worry in the least about other STI's. EWH

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89 months ago

Hello, Dr. I am back to give an update. Apparently, I had Bacteria Vaginosis that the Nurse Practitioner believed was causing the pelvic pain and lower back pain. She also did blood work for thyroid and hormone levels to determine PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) because I missed a cycle for February and I was having light periods, oily skin, and she noticed hair loss. She also scheduled me for an ultrasound. She then told me that the cyst the hospital doctor saw was not big enough to cause symptoms and she wants to check to see if it is something internal. She also ruled out endometriosis.

What I am not understanding is why would the other GYNO in the past not detect BV being that I was doing the cramping since June of last year. I am now thinking that they were not testing me for every bacteria because my test came back within seconds from the gyno I am with now and it showed some bacteria. The cramping has now subsided but I am still getting sharp pains on the left side. Hopefully, the ultra can pick up something

Also, can I trust a 5 going on 6 week home HIV testing kit? I tested many months ago. I think about 9 months ago since then I have no ailments that would lead me to think I have an immune compromised illness. You have given me a risk assessment months ago and I have a hard time with moving on from the situations.

You also told me that syphilis should also be the least of worries but is it possible for syphilis to cause these ailments? I

Being that I contracted Trich can this also affect my mortality rate? I have a life insurance blood work in 2 weeks and the blood work test for STDs

Can I be confident that I do not have any other STD that could be causing these problems?

Also, is it possible that I acquired BV from the sexual contact I had last year from Trich? The practitioner believed that is what causing the cramps and back pain and it has been happening since I came in contact with the STD.

I know that female issues are beyond your scope but can you give a guess what may be causing these ailments? Thanks for your help.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

89 months ago

There is not a specific test for the bacteria the cause bacterial vaginosis. The test requires microscopy, something that is not done in most GYN offices. Thus your first GYN may or may not have been able to do this test. I am glad that the treatment seems to be helping as well. It sounds like your current GYN is doing a good job for you.

I am pleased that they are evaluating your for polycystic ovary disease, I suspect this is causing at least some of your problems.

In answer to your other questions (which might well have been asked of your GYN):

Yes, I would encourage you to believe your earlier test results. Nothing you have mentioned suggests HIV.

You also told me that syphilis should also be the least of worries but is it possible for syphilis to cause these ailments? I

No, your current complaints are in no way suggestive of syphilis.

Being that I contracted Trich can this also affect my mortality rate? I have a life insurance blood work in 2 weeks and the blood work test for STDs

No, trich will not affect your long term mortality. Also, BTW, while it would be unusual for your insurance physical to test for STIs, they may test for HIV. If they do, I am confident the result will be negative.

Can I be confident that I do not have any other STD that could be causing these problems?

Yes. Further, I would have thought that your GYN would have teste for other STIs at the same time they tested for bacterial vaginosis. That is the usual practice in most clinics.

While BV is associated with sexual activity, it is not typically considered an STI. this is controversial however. BV is the most common cause of vaginal discharge in women.

I know that female issues are beyond your scope but can you give a guess what may be causing these ailments?

I recommend that you work on this with your GYN. It sounds like they are committed to evaluating you well.

This is my third reply and, as you know, therefore this thread will be closed shortly. I would strongly suggest that for further questions on this topic you work with your new GYN. they have the advantage of being able to talk directly with you and to do specific tests when warranted. I do hope however that my comments have been helpful. EWH

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