Hi everyone, I’m reaching out because I’m feeling increasingly anxious and would really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s had a similar experience. I’ve just turned 40 and this year has been ongoing health worries. 

Back in late November 2024, I started having urinary urgency, frequency, and right-sided flank pain. I was treated for a UTI with three courses of antibiotics, but the symptoms didn’t go away. Further tests showed sterile pyuria and blood in my urine, which led to a cystoscopy and a diagnosis of Grade 2 non-invasive bladder TCC. I had a TURBT in June 2025, and although the procedure went well, my symptoms persisted.

A CT urogram was done to rule out upper tract involvement, and while it didn’t show further TCC in the urinary tract, it did reveal a 2.5 cm vascular ovarian cyst described as a “hot area” with a white outer rim. There was also free fluid in the pelvis. At the time, I’d been having irregular bleeding since January, but I assumed it was hormonal and didn’t connect it to the other symptoms. I‘m bleeding in between periods and my last period last for 12 days. 

Over the past 5–6 weeks, things have progressed. I’ve developed constant bloating and abdominal swelling, daily period-like cramping even when I’m not menstruating, and worsening flank pain that sometimes radiates to the front. The urinary symptoms haven’t improved, and the irregular bleeding continues. It’s now been 10 months since this all began, and I’m really worried about the persistence and progression.

I’ve been referred under the 2WW pathway and have a gynaecology appointment on 9th September. I’m concerned about the possibility of a hormonally active cyst — particularly something like a granulosa cell tumour — and I feel like I’ve been dismissed or delayed at various points in this journey.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Especially with a vascular cyst, persistent symptoms, and hormonal changes? I’d be so grateful to hear your stories or insights.