Ovarian cysts and pregnancy? Here is what you should know.
Normally, when ovarian cysts are small they usually have no effect on the ability of a woman to get pregnant. They also usually have no effect on a woman’s ability to keep a pregnancy or to deliver a healthy baby. In fact, in most of the cases, cysts on ovaries usually disappear on their own and most women never even realize they have cysts.
This however does not mean that ovarian cysts in pregnancy cannot cause complications and neither does it mean that they cannot be to blame for infertility in most women.
Ovarian Cysts And Infertility
Cysts on ovaries can affect the ability of a woman to get pregnant. This is so especially in cases where a woman has large cysts in her ovaries or where complications of cysts develop.
Large cysts may cause ovarian torsion, which is a condition in which the ovary twists out of its position. This twisting of the ovaries may also result from an ovarian cyst rupture. Whichever the case, when an ovary twists, it can cause constriction of blood vessels supplying blood to the ovary. This could lead to the suffocation and eventual death of ovarian tissues. The permanent damage of the ovaries can thus make it impossible to conceive.
An ovarian cyst rupture, in addition to causing severe pelvic and abdominal pain, can also cause the damage of the ovary. If the ruptured cyst was only in one ovary, a woman can still get pregnant because of the other ovary. However, if the rupture of the cysts on ovaries affected both ovaries, then a woman may have to suffer through permanent infertility.
When an endometriod cyst ruptures, its contents can spill to other parts of the womb. Formation of scar tissues on other parts of a woman’s reproductive system after the bursting of a chocolate cyst may make it hard for a woman to get pregnant since these scar tissues may prevent implantation of the embryo or the proper development of the fetus. Spilling of its contents onto the fallopian tube may also make it impossible for the egg to be fertilized and thus making it difficult for a woman to conceive.
Where complications of ovarian cysts occur, surgery may be necessary. In severe cases, open surgery may be called for and these procedures usually leave a woman exposed to a lot of risks. There are cases where a woman’s ovaries have been damaged during such procedures. This is sometimes usually by accident. Complex ovarian cysts may also call for the removal of the cysts through surgery.
If both ovaries are removed, a woman may find problems when trying to get pregnant. Generally, this is how ovarian cysts and pregnancy relate.
Ovarian Cysts In Pregnancy
As long as the cyst doesn't become too enlarged or rupture, the cyst generally won't disrupt the pregnancy. Larger cysts on ovaries that become tangled may create a threat to the pregnancy. They can cause pressure in the lower abdominal region. This might cause an increase in the risks of a woman having a miscarriage or early labor.
Large cysts may also affect fetal development and growth, although this is rare. There is also the pain from ovarian cysts which can cause pregnancy complications.
The rupturing of ovarian cysts during pregnancy can lead to a lot of complications. The fluid from the cyst burst usually exposes a woman from contracting infections, something which can pose a danger to the fetus. Removal of cysts may be necessary in extreme cases.
What is important is that you go for regular checkups in case of ovarian cysts during pregnancy. Paying a visit to the doctor is the most important thing that you can do as this may not only prevent complications from developing, but it may also help to save the life of your baby. For women who are trying to get pregnant, this might save them a lot of frustrations.
There are also natural methods of preventing the growth and development of ovarian cysts. Using natural methods to prevent and shrink cysts can help to prevent most of the complications of ovarian cysts in pregnancy.