Sexual maturity for women marks a transformative journey powered by hormones like estrogen and progesterone through the teens - and obviously, your ovaries make it possible. Nestled deep within your pelvis, the almond-shaped ovaries are the unsung heroes of your reproductive journey - triggering growth, menstruation, and eventually unleashing the potential for pregnancy and childbirth.
Ovaries being the cornerstone for childbirth, conditions like ovarian cysts often spark anxiety among women, especially those yearning for motherhood. There are so many questions that race through their mind:
- Could I get pregnant with an ovarian cyst?
- How does it affect my chances of becoming a mother?
- Can ovarian cysts go away on their own?
- What if it comes back?
Ovarian cysts are more common than you think! Often shrouded in mystery, millions of women worldwide suffer from ovarian cysts during their reproductive age. You're not alone on this path.
In this blog, we will unravel the truth about these ovarian enigmas and understand their potential implications for your reproductive health.
What is an Ovarian Cyst?
An
ovarian cyst is a sac filled with fluid or tissue that forms on or inside an ovary. These fluid-filled sacs develop in or around the surface of your ovaries, a common condition in any woman during their reproductive years.
In general, cysts fall under two categories: functional and non-functional. The first one is typical and rarely one of concern. The culprits are the non-functional ones that grow without hormonal influence. Let’s have a detailed look at both!
Functional Cysts That Don’t Affect Pregnancy:
Follicle cysts: These functional cysts form when the follicles fail to break open during the mensuration cycle to release a mature egg. They dissolve on their own after two to three months and are harmless.
Corpus luteum cysts: These cysts are also related to mensuration. After releasing an egg, the follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which then makes the hormones for the next cycle. These cysts go away after a few weeks but can sometimes cause pain, bleeding and twist in the ovary.
Other than these two, there are also cystadenomas, dermoid cysts, hemorrhagic cysts, and para-ovarian cysts. These are functional cysts and do not affect your infertility.
Non Functional Cysts or Ovarian Cysts That Can Affect Your Fertility
These ovarian cysts listed below can significantly impact your fertility and your chances of getting pregnant. To clarify, it's primarily the underlying condition that leads to the cysts that can make conception more challenging, including:
Endometriosis
Also known as an endometrial or chocolate cyst, this type forms when uterine tissue grows in the uterus and attaches to an ovary, eventually developing into cysts called endometriomas. This obstructs the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus, contributing to chronic pelvic pain and infertility. However, it is important to note that not all women with endometriosis face fertility issues.
The Endometriosis Society of India conducted a study that shows that around 25 million women in India suffer from the condition of endometriosis.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOS]
This condition is marked by a cluster of pearl-sized cysts on the ovaries. Here, your ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens (male sex hormones) with obstructed ovulation - which means that the eggs that start to develop during the ovulation period never fully develop to be released from the ovary. These immature follicles, each containing an immature egg, cause the ovary to become polycystic. This irregularity in regulation leads to infertility.
This condition mostly occurs due to hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems.
Connection of Cysts To Fertility Problems
Cysts affect fertility in either two ways: hormonally or structurally.
This means these conditions can disrupt the hormonal signals between your brain and the ovaries, impacting the timing of egg release or affecting the organs needed for conception and pregnancy.
The two most common conditions that affect pregnancy are endometrioma cysts and
PCOS. Endometrioma cysts often result from endometriosis, where the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and sometimes attaches to other organs like the ovaries, making conception more challenging. PCOS, on the other hand, involves higher levels of androgens, which can disrupt ovulation and hinder egg development.
The good news is that both conditions are treatable, but the method of treatment varies depending on your age, the size and quantity of cysts, and the symptoms you’re experiencing.
The Million Dollar Question: Can Ovarian Cysts Impact Your Fertility?
As discussed above, most ovarian cysts are harmless and go away independently without even realising that they are there. But in some cases, they can cause pain and bleeding and, in rare cases, affect your fertility.
However, larger cysts can interfere with the normal functioning of the ovaries, interrupting the release of eggs and preventing ovulation. If the cysts are caused by an underlying condition like endometriosis, you might face some issues with pregnancy.
If you have an
ovarian cyst and are planning to get pregnant, consult this with your doctor. There are many ovarian cyst treatments available that can help you improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are The Common Ovarian Cyst Causes?
Ovarian cyst mostly develops due to hormonal imbalances and certain medical conditions like Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and irregular ovulation.
How Do I Know If My Ovarian Cyst Needs Medical Attention?
If you’re experiencing severe pain in your abdomen or pelvis accompanied by symptoms like fever, vomiting, nausea, and faintness - you should visit a doctor. Other symptoms to watch out for includes: heavy vaginal bleeding, bloating, pain during sex, pain during bowel movements, clammy skin, rapid breathing also requires immediate medical attention.
Can I Prevent Ovarian Cyst?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent ovarian cysts, but regular checkups and managing hormonal health can help. To manage ovarian cysts, doctors often recommend hormonal birth control, a balanced diet and stress management to help with the symptoms.
When Should I Consider Surgery For An Ovarian Cyst?
If a cyst is large, growing, or causes intense pain, your doctor might suggest surgery to help you feel better and avoid complications. Surgery can also be a good option if the cyst doesn’t go away on its own or seems unusual. Removing it will allow for a closer examination to ensure that everything is okay.
Is It Common For Ovarian Cysts to Recur?
Yes, it’s common for some women to experience ovarian cysts more than once, especially those that naturally come and go with the menstrual cycle. Staying on top of regular checkups can help keep an eye on things, make it easier to manage, and reduce the chances of recurrence.
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