Current medical status: For the past few months my periods have been very dark in color, but normal in length and date. I figured it was just because I started taking birth control about 6 or 7 months ago. Last month, however, I had a strange pressure/pain on the lower left side of my abdomen. I went to the doctor a couple of times and they took an x-ray and did blood work and chalked the pain up to gas and constipation. This past week however, I have been feeling a similar pressure in my abdomen which is also radiating down into my pelvic area. I'm also experiencing more gas than usual. At the time of my doctors visits both doctors asked me if I had a family history of ovarian cysts. I'm wondering if that might be what's causing it.


Given the data you provided, the pelvic pressure you are experiencing might be related to the ovaries. The x-ray and the blood tests might not be enough for a proper diagnosis. You might want to visit your gynecologist for a pelvic ultrasound exam. Ovarian cysts are one of the possible diagnoses, especially if the pain appears at the same time of your menstrual cycle.