A fluid-filled sac that grows on or in an ovary is a cyst. It is a disorder that can appear in young and older women and is generally not related to cancer, so it is said to be a benign change in the body.
Also, an ovarian cyst is a small lesion that generally does not cause symptoms and can disappear with time, which should not be confused with a polycystic ovarian disease, commonly also known as vagus ovaries. You must carry out regular medical checks so that they can detect any disorder that appears and find the cause of it to carry out an appropriate treatment.
As it is a sac that should not be in the female organs, it is normal to feel worried that it alters your body, especially if you have plans to have children, so that you may wonder, can I get pregnant with polycystic ovaries? At FastlyHealwe want to offer you all the information in this regard.
Table of Contents
What is a cyst?
A cyst is considered a lesion that can occur anywhere on the body. It can be described as a bubble surrounded by a thin membrane, and in its interior, air or liquid substances can be found.
The most common cysts appear in the kidneys, liver, pancreas, breasts, brain, and ovaries. These are benign lesions by nature since they accumulate fluid inside a particular tissue. However, on some occasions, malignant tumors can have an appearance and characteristic similar to that of the cyst, so It is imperative to get medical checkups.
In the following article, you will find all the medical information regarding ovarian cysts: symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Types of ovarian cysts
Ovarian cysts are differentiated according to the cause and the mechanism of formation. The most common type is the one that corresponds to functional cysts, which develop due to a hormonal change, which can occur due to the menstrual cycle, due to an abnormality in hormones, or as a result of some hormonal treatment. These cysts mainly affect sexually mature women, and it is even possible that they occur during menopause. In turn, there are subtypes of functional cysts, including:
- Follicular cyst: it can occur in the menstrual cycle when the ovarian follicle that contains the ovum does not rupture for ovulation and continues to accumulate fluid inside; when it reaches a minimum diameter of 2.5 cm, it is considered to be a follicular cyst. It is the most common in young women and usually goes away on its own in 4 to 8 weeks.
- Cysts of the corpus luteum occur when the follicle closes again after breaking for ovulation and forming the corpus luteum and begins to accumulate fluids that increase in size if they reach 3 cm in diameter. They are considered cysts. After a few weeks, they generally go away without complications and are less frequent.
On the other hand, a cyst in the ovary can also originate in the form of a benign tumor. The most common of this type is the dermoid cyst, which in addition to accumulating fluids, may have remains of bone, skin, fat, hair, cartilage, and other tissues, reaching a size of 5 to 13 cm in diameter. This type of ovarian cyst is less common than follicular ones. It mainly affects women between 20 and 40 years of age, and it is implausible that it will evolve into a malignant tumor.
Less common subtypes are the so-called chocolate cysts or endometriomas. However, some consider them a pseudocyst and form from the endometrial tissue within the ovary, accumulating fluids and debris from blood catabolism. It is associated with the disease endometriosis.
Primary symptoms of ovarian cysts
In most cases, the development of cysts in the ovary until their disappearance goes unnoticed since they are usually asymptomatic and do not affect the menstrual cycle. However, when the cyst reaches a large size and takes time to disappear, it is possible to observe some symptoms, including:
- There is sudden or persistent pain in the belly area, mainly in the middle of the menstrual cycle.
- Delay at the start of the menstrual period.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
- Desire to urinate frequently.
- Abdominal distension.
- Discomfort in the lower back.
Can I get pregnant if I have polycystic ovaries?
As with symptoms, any risk of cysts on the ovary is sporadic. The most likely complication that could arise is severe pain in the belly area after the cyst ruptures, which is rarely accompanied by bleeding due to damage to blood vessels near the break. In these cases, you must seek medical care. The cyst ruptures can be spontaneous, after physical effort, during sexual intercourse, or in a gynecological examination.
Less likely, when the ovarian cyst reaches a large size, it could turn due to sudden movement, causing the cyst, the ovary, or even the fallopian tube to twist, so you will feel such intense pain that it could cause nausea and vomiting. Suppose the structure does not return to its original position in a considerable period. In that case, it can interfere with blood flow, with complications such as the death of ovarian tissue, infection, or even peritonitis.
On the other hand, one of the most frequent doubts among women is whether a pregnancy is possible. The answer is yes, YES, and you can get pregnant if you have cysts in the ovaries, since the ovarian cyst, or colloquially called lazy ovaries, does not interfere in the reproductive capacity, nor does it alter the conditions to get pregnant. Still, there may be pain when having sexual intercourse. However, if fertilization does not occur quickly, you have to be patient because the ovum can be retained by the cyst or by altering the menstrual cycle. The moment of ovulation is modified.
Treatment to remove cysts on the ovaries
The ovarian cyst can be detected by touch on a vaginal examination if it is of considerable size and later with an abdominal ultrasound to help determine the type of cyst. When this fluid-filled sac is tiny and asymptomatic, the image with this ultrasound is the way to show its presence.
Ovarian cysts generally disappear on their own in 1 or 2 months and do not usually cause symptoms, so treatment is not necessary in these cases. However, when there are symptoms, and they are extreme, the doctor may recommend a drug or opt for surgery to remove the cyst, depending on its size, its growth rate, and the complications it produces.
Suppose the appearance of cysts in the ovary is recurrent. In that case, it must be determined what is causing it to be able to grant a definitive treatment. For example, if it is due to hormonal therapy, such as fertility, its suspension is enough for your body to stop developing this abnormal growth.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can, I get pregnant with polycystic ovaries? We recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.