Ovarian cysts are the fluid-filled sacs that are present on or inside the ovaries. They commonly occur in many women and often develop at certain points in their life. Most ovarian cysts are harmless and produce no symptoms, which is why they disappear after some time after detection. You can learn about ovarian cyst pregnancy symptoms, which are harmless. Cysts continue to grow, rupture and twist and cause a few complications during delivery and the period of pregnancy. These are found in the routine examination of ultrasound. If you or anyone you know is having the chance of developing an ovarian cyst, you can consider connecting with the experts of Rainbow Hospital Marathahalli.

Ovarian Cysts and related facts

Ovarian cysts are the fluid-filled sacs sometimes growing inside the ovary and sometimes growing on the ovaries. Most of these cysts develop because of the hormonal changes in the body. You may not generally require medication for this. But, for certain rare cases, you may require a course of medications.

In most cases, Ovarian Cysts produce no symptoms, however, if your doctor diagnoses the presence of a large ovarian cyst, you may develop the symptoms like: 

• Swelling

• Heaviness in the Lower Abdomen

• Pelvic Pain (or in the lower abdomen)

• Nausea or vomiting

• Pain during sexual activity

What are the different types of ovarian cysts?

There are various forms of ovarian cyst, and depending on how it forms, you may develop an ovarian cyst that may work differently in your body. Some of these are given below –

• Follicular Cysts

Ovarian cyst pregnancy symptoms are asymptomatic. There can be the development of follicular cysts which may disappear within three months without any significant treatment. In general, the body of a female produces an ovary during each menstrual cycle. This ovary produces a fluid-filled structure called the follicle. An egg is released from these follicles, and the process is called ovulation. If the follicle keeps on growing instead of releasing an egg, it becomes a follicular cyst. These types of cysts can reach up to 2-3 inches and may not let you feel any pain or symptoms. But, in case they rupture, it can give you severe pain on one side of the ovary.

• Corpus Luteum Cyst

When the ovary releases an egg during ovulation, the empty follicle that produces an egg usually shrinks. But in certain cases, it closes and begins to collect fluid from the surrounding. These types of cysts develop on each ovary. There can be chances that you may develop symptoms or sometimes no symptoms. However, this type of cyst can result in bleeding and can turn into distress.

• Non-Functioning Cysts

Such types of cysts grow on the ovaries regardless of whether you ovulate or not. These have further different types like:

• Endometriosis: It is also known by the name chocolate cyst that further develops a medical condition called endometriosis. In this condition, the cells in the endometrium grow outside the endometrium and manifest as endometriosis. They are in general 8 inches in diameter and fills-in deep reddish-tanned blood.

• Dermoid Cysts: It is also known by the name teratomas. These types of cysts can hold the skin, hair, and even teeth. These can grow to 6 inches in diameter and can affect young women. However, these do not turn into tumors.

• Cystadenomas: Such types of cysts grow on the exterior of the ovaries. They can fill the mucus and other material into it.

• Polycystic ovary: This is the kind of disease that develops into polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). When you develop the chances of PCOS, you also develop the production of various small cysts in the exterior of the ovaries. These are generally not painful but can show their effect on the skin producing acne and irregular menstrual periods.

Is there any chance of getting pregnant with ovarian cysts?

In general, cysts do not cause any difficulty in producing a child. However, if the cyst develops because of endometriosis, there can be chances that you may face infertility. You must try to note here that there are technologies and solutions to such problems. There is the availability of such treatments that may result in minor surgery called keyhole surgery or laparoscopic surgery. If you are still not able to conceive naturally, the last option remaining available to such women is IVF. It is one of the developing techniques that help to inject hormones and stimulate the ovaries.

You can develop the chances of infertility if you have PCOS

Having a cyst can make you wonder and look for Ovarian cyst pregnancy symptoms, which can result in nausea, vomiting, and lower abdominal pain. In general, ovarian cysts do not affect fertility or one’s chances of becoming pregnant. But, your doctor will help you diagnose the same if you are trying to get pregnant and are not able to conceive for the last year. However, if you have developed the chances of PCOS, there can be chances that you may develop various small cysts on your ovaries.

How does PCOS affect your fertility?

• PCOS affects around 20% of women and typically produces the symptoms like irregular periods, weight gain, acne, mood swings, hair growth, and difficulty to become pregnant.
• While many women are living with this specific medical condition, there can be chances that you may require medications for the process of ovulation. In case, medication results in an unsuccessful process, you may also require to undergo minor surgery.
• This minor surgery is laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD), which is done only after giving your local anesthesia. In this surgery, a small incision is made into the lower abdomen.
• The microscope is passed so that the surgeon can see the internal organs. Then, the doctor destroys the cyst with the help of heat or laser.
• In general, the outcome of this process is fruitful. This can lead to a reduction in hormonal imbalance and can help to restore the function of ovaries. This can further increase the chances of getting pregnant also.

What are other complications of ovarian cyst?

Most ovarian cysts produce the same results, i.e, affecting the ovulation and menstrual periods and going away on their own. However, in certain rare cases, there can be chances that the woman may develop cyst-related problems. There can be chances that they may rupture or develop bleeding which can lead to severe abdominal pain.

• You may develop different forms of cysts, known as pathological cysts, which can result in the formation of several types of cysts.
• There is a cyst called dermoid cyst which may contain unwanted tissues like hair, teeth, and skin and may also grow larger.
• Cystadenomas are the type of cysts that develop the growth of cells covering the outer layer of the ovary. It can fill-in mucus and fluid which may further require surgery to remove.

For any type of Ovarian cyst, there can be chances that you may require surgery. This surgery, however, does not affect your fertility unless your doctor removes an ovary. This is one of the rare conditions that your doctor may require to remove an ovary cyst. This is because of the development of chances that your cyst may grow extremely larger and may interfere with the chances of pregnancy.