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A female asked:

Last night i found a painful lump near where my left ovary would be. it is about one week til my period. the lump is not visible my mom thinks it may be a muscle strain but im still scared. i have noticed a small amount of pain in this area before my peri

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Joy Jackson
Family Medicine 21 years experience
You : You are correct in being concerned. Pain with a corresponding "lump" should always be investigated.The fact that you have noticed a small amount of pain in this area right before your period leads me to believe you may have an ovarian cyst. Some are so large that they can in fact be palpated(felt) in the lower quadrants of your abdomen/pelvic area. Please schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or gynecologist. He/she will likely perform a pelvic exam and possibly order a pelvic ultrasound. This ultrasound can detect ovarian cysts, masses, and also check for problems in your uterus, like fibroids(benign tumors). Good luck.
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Last updated Oct 3, 2016

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