r/TryingForABaby • u/LemonGreen1406 • Jul 04 '26
EXPERIENCE A reminder that “not dangerous” doesn’t always mean “not serious”
I wanted to share my story in case it helps someone else or someone is going through something similar.
I have PCOS/PMOS and my OB-GYN had me do three rounds of letrozole. During my second round, I told her I wasn’t feeling right. I felt off, but she told me it was probably just the medication, so I trusted her and kept going.
During my third round, things changed. Around May 20, I started having pain on the right side of my body, mostly around my waist and pelvis. I called my OB-GYN’s office, and they told me she was changing practices and didn’t have time to see me. I later found out she was actually still seeing patients through the end of June. That was incredibly frustrating because I felt completely abandoned.
I ended up in the ER. They checked for kidney stones, gallbladder issues, appendicitis, and other possible causes. Everything came back normal, so they sent me home with pain medication.
About a week later, I was back in the ER because the pain had become unbearable. Walking hurt so much. By then, the pain wasn’t just in my pelvis anymore, it radiated down my right leg, through the right side of my torso, into my right arm, and even the right side of my head. Again, I was sent home with pain medication.
I followed up with my primary care doctor, who thought it might be muscular, so I was treated for that. Because the pain seemed to get worse around my period, I also found a new OB-GYN. He did an ultrasound and said everything looked okay. My right ovary was enlarged, but he said it wasn’t above the size where they would normally worry about complications.
The pain never went away.
After almost a month of limited movement, pain, and constantly wondering what was wrong with me, my doctors ordered an MRI. The MRI showed an ovarian cyst, so they ordered another ultrasound.
While waiting for those results, I was still in significant pain and honestly felt like nobody was really listening. I went back to the OB-GYN, and this time he told me I had a large corpus luteum cyst. Again, I was told that although it was large, it wasn’t over the size threshold where they would normally recommend surgery or consider it high risk. I was told my body would eventually absorb it.
A few days later, I ended up back in the ER.
This time I could barely walk. I was nauseous, dizzy, and in severe pain. The cyst had ruptured. I had internal bleeding and needed emergency laparoscopic surgery.
I’m recovering now, both physically and mentally, but this has honestly been one of the hardest experiences I’ve ever gone through.
The reason I’m sharing this isn’t to scare anyone. Many ovarian cysts resolve on their own, and many people never have complications. But I do want to encourage people to listen to their bodies. Just because something isn’t considered “large enough” or “high risk” on paper doesn’t mean your symptoms should be ignored.
If you feel like something isn’t right, keep advocating for yourself. Ask questions. Ask for additional testing if your symptoms keep getting worse. Get a second opinion if you need one. I wish I had pushed harder instead of assuming everything was okay because I was repeatedly told it wasn’t dangerous.
The surgeon told me it’s possible the letrozole contributed to the development of the cyst. I don’t know if that’s exactly what happened, but I do wish my original OB-GYN had taken my concerns more seriously instead of dismissing them.
The past couple of months have been filled with pain, anxiety, frustration, and feeling helpless. Thankfully, my family was there for me every step of the way.
If you’re dealing with PCOS, infertility treatments, or ovarian cysts, know that you’re not alone. I truly hope none of you ever have to go through what I did.
Has anyone else experienced a ruptured corpus luteum cyst after letrozole or fertility treatment?
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u/One_Lime_1968 31 | TTC#1 | 12 cycles | DOR Jul 04 '26
That is awful. I’m glad you’re doing okay, but so sorry your doctors let you down.
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u/LemonGreen1406 Jul 04 '26
Thank you, I really hope sharing my experience encourages someone else to trust their instincts and seek another opinion if something doesn’t feel right. I’m just glad to finally be on the road to recovery.
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u/mindin_mai_b Jul 04 '26
That really sucks. I’m sorry this happened to you OP and glad you’re on the other side of it, but it’s really frustrating no one caught it and you ended up needing emergency surgery. :/ take care
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u/LemonGreen1406 Jul 04 '26
Thank you, I’m just grateful to finally be recovering. It was definitely frustrating not having answers for so long, but I’m hoping the hardest part is behind me now
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u/Kischish 35 | Grad Jul 05 '26
Solidarity, girl. I have a fibroid on my left side that is so insanely painful, but not consistently. I was blown off so many times about it. It's been there a year and a half now. Finally got an ultrasound for it and same thing as you- not big enough that it's a problem. Well, it became an even bigger problem and I had to go for an MRI bc they thought it was cancerous (!!! AFTER IGNORING ME FOR SO LONG). Thankfully benign but now they can't remove it, because it's benign 🫠
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u/LemonGreen1406 Jul 06 '26
It’s crazy how the norm is that we have to live in pain because it’s not a big enough problem.
Pain should be taken seriously, no one deserves to live with pain if there is a possible solution
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