Can a cyst stop me from having a baby? Can I get pregnant with an ovarian cyst? How can it affect my chances of becoming a mother? Can ovarian cysts go away on their own? What if it comes back?
Such questions often haunt the mind of a female having ovarian cysts.
No woman wants to hear she has an “issue” with her ovaries – especially if she is trying to get pregnant. However, ovarian cysts are perhaps the most common “issue” among women trying to conceive.
The good news is these fluid-filled masses are not always the cause of concern. The bad news is not all cysts can be ignored as certain ovarian cysts can affect your pregnancy and fertility.
Not all ovarian cysts are the same. Most women develop ovarian cysts at some point in their life. In fact, there is a possibility that you will develop an ovarian cyst but never have any symptoms of it.
Moreover, most of the cysts are harmless and cause no pain, they can usually go undetected and can disappear over time. These can only be found during routine pelvic examinations or ultrasounds.
However, some ovarian cysts are associated with decreased fertility as these cysts may become obstacles for women trying to get pregnant. Read on to know how certain ovarian cysts can affect your pregnancy and fertility.
Ovarian cysts that can affect your fertility :
Endometriomas :
Endometriomas are cysts that are caused by endometriosis. These cysts are most commonly found in ovaries. Moreover, these cysts are filled with dark brown endometrial fluid and are called chocolate cysts.
These cysts are caused by a condition called endometriosis. In this condition, small pieces of tissues grow outside the womb. The Endometriosis Society of India conducted a study which showed that about 25 million Indian women suffer from the condition of endometriosis.
How can endometriomas cysts affect your fertility? :
Endometriosis occurs when the tissues that line your uterus grow outside the uterus wall. As a result, the endometrial tissues may get attached to the ovaries or the fallopian tubes. This can cause severe pain and the formation of a chocolate cyst.
These chocolate cysts are sacs that contain old blood. These cysts may get attached to your ovaries and can affect their functioning. In some cases, these cysts can stop the ovaries from working and so prevent pregnancy.
Additionally, if a chocolate cyst ruptures, it can cause severe abdominal pain on the side where the cyst is located.
The symptoms of these chocolate cysts are similar to that of endometriosis. The symptoms can include:
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Unexplained pelvic pain between periods
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Digestive issues
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Painful bowel movements
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Pain during sex
The treatment of ovarian cysts usually depends on symptoms. The main aim of the treatment is to enhance your chances of pregnancy. In certain cases, a doctor may recommend you to wait and carefully observe the growth of cysts. The surgery is recommended in the following circumstances only:
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The cysts are very large
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Periods are painful
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Complications in conceiving
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [ PCOS] :
If you have a cluster of pearl-sized cysts, you might have a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS
is a condition that occurs due to hormonal imbalances and metabolism problems.
In this condition, your ovaries don’t always receive an egg every month which can lead to difficulty in conceiving.
How can Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [ PCOS] affect your fertility? :
Ovulation in a woman occurs when a mature egg is released from the ovary. This happens so that the egg can be fertilized by a male sperm. However, if the egg is not fertilized, it is sent back to your body during the periods.
In some instances, a woman may not make enough hormones needed to ovulate. This can cause your ovaries to develop small cysts. These cysts can produce hormones called androgens which generally occur due to PCOS.
Women with PCOS often have high levels of androgens. This can cause symptoms of PCOS, including irregular or no periods, weight gain, acne, and difficulty in conceiving.
If you have symptoms of PCOS, your doctor may prescribe certain medications to treat them. Moreover, if you are overweight, your doctor will advise you to lose weight as it can help reduce your insulin levels. This can improve your chances of ovulating.
If these cysts are treated on time, your chances of pregnancy may get enhanced. Moreover, certain cysts may exist in your ovaries, but they don’t affect your chances of becoming pregnant.
Ovarian cysts that don’t affect your fertility or pregnancy are: :
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Functional cysts :
Follicular cysts or corpus luteum are the functional cysts that can occur in a woman. These cysts form during a normal menstrual cycle, so they don’t cause infertility. In fact, these cysts indicate that the necessary functions leading to fertility are taking place.
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Cystadenomas :
Cystadenomas occur due to the growths in the ovary that arise from the surface of the ovaries. Although these cysts may require treatment, they don’t affect fertility.
Dermoid cysts :
These solid cysts contain tissue such as skin, hair, or teeth instead of fluid. Dermoid cysts aren’t associated with infertility.
Vardaan Medical Center: Best IVF Center in Punjab:
Vardaan Medical Center is known to offer top-quality fertility treatment to all couples. We stand tall among the best IVF centers in Punjab.
Book an appointment today and move towards the blissful journey of parenthood
Frequently Asked Question:
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