Have you ever passed a corpus luteum cyst? *Update: Lab Report post #18* - Page 2

[texaspeach]

sounds like it was just a giant hunk of endometrium. when I've passed endometrial tissue, it was sort of.. grayish and it didn't look like a bubble. I'm glad to hear it was benign and not products of conception. at least you've been able to rule a few things out

do you think changing to a different pill formulation would prevent the problem next time? since you're trying to achieve menstrual suppression what about Implanon (etonogestrel implant)? it can cause irregular bleeding but is supposed to make periods very light or go away totally. my dr suggested it for me as I have suspected endometriosis, I don't tolerate hormones well so I haven't tried it. The side effects are similar to depo provera, but it's a different flavor progestin so hopefully it doesn't cause the bone loss issue that depo does.

Thank you for sharing your labs. I hope you get some more concrete answers soon

[naturegirl7]

Sounds like maybe it was endometrial tissue. Thank goodness it was bengin! That makes me feel a bit better. Still anxious to hear what that OB says though.

I googled
Benign mixed phase endometrium with extensive stromal decidual change
and quite a bit actually came up. Lots about endometriosis and polyps....but this is the best link I found - lots of good info.

http://www.ucc.ie/ucc/depts/path/LN/FemaleGTract.doc

Here is some of what this one said (quoted below) - what I get out of it is that there are disctinct hormonal phases whcih result in various changes in the endometrium and its various types of tissues - with edema and a round appearance of the stroma layer/tissue naturally occuring and increasing over the course of your cycle and with the decidual change being normal for the stromal layer approaching/during menses. Other articles also talk about stroma cells aggregating during the different phases, to become large and round - one called them "blue balls" of endometrial tissue.

Sounds like you passed a large mass of stroma endometrial tissue (maybe even a polyp?) - perhaps as a result of the hormonal changes from the pill - maybe the hormones were too much - that they made it grow larger than normal??? There is also a portion that says that during pregnancy, decidous changes are more pronounced - which could be linked back to the pill since it induced a faux early pregnancy state to suppress ovulation.

All I know, it that it sounds like they should not get that big, and should disolve on their own once conception does not occur. So something happened hormonally within our bodies to increase the rate at which it grew. And decomposed enough so that it was shed with the endometrial tissue during menses. I am just glad that my was expelled, rather than sitting around in my uterus!

Hope this info is helpful.

Menstrual Cycle.
28 day cycle.
Proliferative Phase. During first 14 days after menstruation (3-5 days) under oestrogenic stimulation, produced by effect of FSH on the ovarian Graafian follicle (granulosa cells) the endometrium exhibits proliferation of both narrow round tubular glands and compact stroma which develops from the outer one-third of the endometrium. Mitoses seen in both glands and stroma. Oedema develops in stroma.
Secretory Phase Following ovulation, mediated by pituitary LH and a further surge of FSH, the ovarian graafian follicle is transformed into a Corpus Luteum which continues to secrete oestrogen but also progesterone.
Early Secretory Phase Day 17-20, Endometrial glands enlarge and lining cells develop subnuclear vacuolation (glycogen rich), Stromal oedema+. No mitoses.
Late Secretory Phase Day 21-27. Secretion in lumens of glands which now become enlarged and tortuous. Stromal oedema++. Increased tortuosity of stromal vessels. Stromal cells become enlarged and rounded and is complete by Day 27. Endometrium now prepared for implantation of fertilised ovum. In the absence of pregnancy, stroma is infiltrated by acute inflammatory cells and granular cells. Corpus Luteum in ovary degenerates, progresterone and oestrogen level drops and the luminal two-thirds of the endometrium desintegrates and is cast off (Menstruation) with haemorrhage.

Pregnancy Following fertilisation and implantation of the ovum in the endometrium (about 4-5 days after ovulation) the Corpus Luteum continues to secrete oestrogen and progesterone with increased decidualistion of stroma and glandular secretion. Arias-stella change - marked hypersecretory state of glands.

Combined Oestrogen/Progesterone Little oestrogen stimulation, mainly progesterone effect. Decidual change and glandular atrophy. Some side effects mainly with long-term use.

Endometrial Polyps Common in perimenopausal and menopausal endometrium. May be sessile or pedunculated up to about 3 cms. in diameter. Usually associated with inappropriate reaction of part of the endometrium of oestrogenic stimulation.

Endometriosis Endometrial glands and stroma outside of the uterus e.g. in ovaries, fallopian tubes, pouch of Douglas, mesentery, gastrointestinal tract, skin, scars etc.
Cause Unknown (1) ? Implantation from retrograde menstruation.
(2) Metaplasia of peritoneal serosa.
Regresses following menopause.

otehr links:

http://www.ajsp.com/pt/re/ajsp/abstr...195629!8091!-1

http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/annual_...ium_Part_1.pdf

www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=191317
this one looks promising, but you have to register (pay?) to access it

[momileigh]

Hey, thanks for that research. Supakitty, did you think the diagnosis was consistent with a polyp? Because it didn't specifically say that, but I found out today that the OB/Gyn got back to my mw and told her that it sounds like it *was* an "endometrial polyp." She said that I might have tons of them in there and I should have an endometrial biopsy. That is so not going to happen. She said it may interfere with future fertility if I have a bunch more and don't have them removed.

My gut is telling me that this is nonsense, about having tons of them in there. Both times this has happened, once I've passed the thing I've had a normal period and been normal since. I'm going to go a couple cycles without any hormonal contraceptives and see if all seems normal. If so, I just don't think I could have a bunch of polyps sitting in there. If not... well, I suppose I'd better get some medical insurance

[naturegirl7]

My mom had a bunch of polyps removed this Jan. She had severe pain that got worse during intercourse. And serious bleeding despite having gone thru menopause over a year prior.
She came up to see me for Xmas, which is when I learned of it and learned that her docs would not get her in until April - so I called my MW, who squeezed her in right away. We wanted to make sure it was not cancer.
She had a pelvic, a PAP - all normal. And was sent for a US the next day.
It was diagnosed as polyps via a vaginal US.
When she went back home, got in faster due to the diagnosis and report, and then worked out a treatment plan with her doc - which in her case was surgery. My mom was pushing for a hysterectomy, but thankfully the doc wasn't sold on the idea.

talk to your MW about a vaginal US and see if it is an option for you.

BTW - I have been checking out the House of Babies show - and you are right, that was just a really really horrible episode! The rest have been sooo much better, not completely based upon what I consider midwifery model of care - but way better than that one episode. that episode doesn't even seem to fit in with the rest of them.... I caught part of your birth - what a lovely family you have! I wish they hadn't sucked that thread into the internet abyss. I know it is completely off topic, but I just wanted to let you know I give it a second and third chance.