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Ovarian cyst
Can you get pregnant with an ovarian cyst?
Ovarian cysts can allow for pregnancy, but if cysts are found before pregnancy, appropriate actions should be taken based on different situations. For instance, if the cysts are larger than 10cm and there are symptoms like abdominal pain, it is generally advised to undergo surgery before attempting to conceive for safety purposes. Currently, laparoscopic surgery is commonly chosen to remove ovarian cysts, which can be beneficial for pregnancy. Sometimes, an enlarged ovarian cyst may affect the morphology of the fallopian tubes, and even lead to infertility, thus surgery before pregnancy is necessary. However, smaller cysts, such as those less than 5cm, or about 2cm, do not require treatment and one can proceed with pregnancy. Even after conception, it is necessary to regularly monitor the status of the cysts through ultrasound examinations.
Do ovarian cysts hurt?
Ovarian cysts are mostly painless, but larger cysts, especially those larger than 10cm and extending beyond the pelvic area, may cause some mild discomfort and bloating. Another scenario involves severe pain when there is torsion of the cyst's pedicle. Pain can also occur if the cyst becomes infected. Thus, treatment depends on the specific circumstances. Generally, simple cysts do not show obvious symptoms and are often discovered during routine examinations, especially during an ultrasound. If an ovarian cyst experiences torsion or infection, prompt treatment is necessary. Larger ovarian cysts may also require surgical intervention. Therefore, the treatment for ovarian cysts should be based on the presence of symptoms and size.
Ovarian cysts have no symptoms
Many ovarian cysts are asymptomatic, generally detected during physical examinations or gynecological assessments, sometimes palpable as masses. An ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis by assessing the size of the mass near the adnexa, as well as the location and characteristics of the cyst. Often after an ultrasound, it may also be necessary to check for ovarian tumor markers. This is because ultrasound may reveal mixed masses that could potentially be malignant. If tumor markers are normal, not elevated, the likelihood of malignancy is low. If an ovarian cyst is discovered, regular check-ups are necessary, typically involving ultrasound examinations as many individuals display no obvious symptoms.
Do ovarian cysts hurt?
Some ovarian cysts do not have painful symptoms, while others may cause abdominal pain, thus there are individual differences. This varies depending on the size of the ovarian cyst and whether it is accompanied by any infections. If an ovarian cyst is combined with torsion, the affected ovary might suffer from ischemia and hypoxia, resulting in acute abdominal pain. This situation is quite dangerous and requires emergency surgery. However, if the ovarian cyst does not undergo torsion, most are asymptomatic and are often incidentally found during physical examinations or routine ultrasound scans. If cysts are discovered without any significant symptoms, special treatment is generally not necessary initially; a follow-up check after three months is recommended, as many cysts may disappear naturally, which is a normal occurrence.
Symptoms of malignant and benign ovarian cysts
Some benign ovarian cyst symptoms are relatively mild, with the most common being slight lower abdominal bloating and pain. However, if there are malignant changes, the pain can be more severe, often causing widespread abdominal pain and even cramp-like pain similar to intestinal obstruction. If the malignant tumor metastasizes, nearby areas may show symptoms. For example, if it spreads to the bladder, symptoms such as frequent urination and urgency can occur. If it metastasizes to the intestines causing intestinal obstruction or adhesions, it may lead to abdominal bloating, lower abdominal pain, cessation of passing gas, and even vomiting. Distant metastasis, such as to the lungs, might present symptoms like coughing and coughing up blood, so the symptoms of malignant tumors tend to be more varied.
Symptoms of ovarian cyst carcinogenesis
The main symptom of malignant transformation of ovarian cysts is increased abdominal pain, which generally occurs on one side, including either the left or right side, since the ovaries are present on both sides. If the cyst is unilateral, rapid growth can cause lower abdominal distension and pain. Therefore, when such symptoms aggravate, timely examination is necessary. Initially, a gynecological examination is recommended to assess the boundaries of the ovarian cyst and to palpate its nature and texture. These are essential evaluations. If there is a potential for malignancy, sometimes nodular changes, which may be metastases, can be detected in the posterior cul-de-sac. Subsequently, an ultrasound should be performed, with vaginal ultrasound generally providing greater accuracy.
Symptoms of ovarian cyst rupture
It often manifests as severe pain that feels downward, and if it ruptures, there is obvious intraperitoneal bleeding, along with a sensation of heaviness in the anus. The pain is persistent and intense. If there is significant blood loss in the pelvis, there may also be symptoms of blood loss such as dizziness and fatigue, and other discomforts may occur. For example, there may be complications related to anemia and even symptoms of shock. Once an ovarian cyst ruptures, it requires prompt treatment. First, it is necessary to identify the specific location, as the ovaries are located on the left and right sides. After locating the affected area, timely treatment can be administered. The examination of ovarian cysts often reveals quite noticeable tenderness.
Early Symptoms Judgment of Ovarian Cysts
The early symptoms of ovarian cysts include pain in the lower abdomen on one side, which is generally mild, persistent, and tolerable discomfort. However, this pain needs to be differentiated from other conditions. Since the pelvic area contains the uterus and ovaries, sometimes it is necessary to distinguish these symptoms from gastrointestinal diseases. For example, appendicitis often needs to be differentiated from cysts on the right side, as both can cause abdominal pain. However, appendicitis also includes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, and during examination, there is tenderness at McBurney's point, indicating appendicitis. On the other hand, the pain from an ovarian cyst is usually positioned slightly lower, and thus can often be differentiated through a gynecological examination.
Do ovarian cysts require the removal of the ovary?
Generally, ovarian cysts do not require the removal of the ovary; the common practice is to perform a cystectomy, which involves peeling off the cyst from the ovary. After that, the situation of bleeding is assessed. If there is no significant bleeding on the surgical surface, suturing can be done, which preserves both the morphology and function of the ovary. Ovaries are crucial for females as they produce estrogen, progesterone, and also have the function of ovulation. Therefore, removing ovaries would reduce the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body and decrease ovulation functions, which is why ovary removal is generally not recommended. Typically, the impact of the cystectomy on these ovarian functions is minimal. Thus, recovery tends to be good, with minimal impact on daily life in terms of prognosis.
Causes of ovarian cysts
There are several common causes of ovarian cysts. The first is during the ovulation process where the follicle fails to release an egg, resulting in the formation of follicular cysts. The ultrasound typically shows these as simple cysts containing follicular fluid. Another situation is the corpus luteum cyst, which occurs after ovulation when the ovary forms a wound surface and a corpus luteum. Cysts can also develop during the growth of the corpus luteum. These two types of cysts generally disappear after the next menstrual period and are considered physiological cysts that usually require no treatment. However, some cysts result from pathological changes in ovarian cells, or even from tumors. On an ultrasound, these appear differently, often as mixed composition masses, in which case surgical treatment is recommended.