Is a teratoma pregnancy?

Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 02, 2024
00:00
00:00

Teratoma is not a pregnancy; it is a type of ovarian tumor. Most of the time, this tumor is benign. It commonly occurs in individuals aged between 20 and 40 years. The formation of teratomas is generally due to poor differentiation during the embryonic stage, resulting in the development of this type of tumor. Very occasionally, teratomas can become malignant, which requires high vigilance. Most cases of malignancy are seen in young females aged between 11 and 19. Malignant teratomas are usually solid, but they can also have cystic areas.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
45sec home-news-image

Can you have intercourse with an ovarian teratoma?

Women with ovarian teratomas can maintain a normal sex life if the cyst is small. However, if the cyst is large, it is advisable to pursue aggressive surgical treatment to prevent ovarian torsion or rupture caused by intercourse. These complications classify as gynecological emergencies and may require emergency surgery, sometimes including the removal of the affected ovary. The ovaries secrete female hormones, and their removal can affect a woman's overall physical condition, potentially leading to osteoporosis or increased chances of aging. Therefore, it is recommended for women diagnosed with ovarian teratomas to cooperate actively with their doctor and pursue surgical treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 13sec home-news-image

What is the cause of the pain from a teratoma?

Female teratomas are cystic-solid tumors located on the ovaries. When they are small in size, they generally do not cause pain. However, as they grow larger, due to gravitational pull, they stretch the surrounding ligaments, causing women to experience hidden pain on one side of the lower abdomen. This pain is bearable and only intensifies after vigorous activities or intercourse. Some women may experience increased pain if they have a pelvic infection or during menstruation. Because teratomas are uneven in texture, if they are not adherent to surrounding structures and are relatively mobile, and their stalk is thinner, they might twist under certain circumstances, such as rolling over, spinning hula hoops, or during pregnancy, when the uterus grows and changes the position of the teratoma, leading to acute lower abdominal pain from torsion of the teratoma’s stalk. Therefore, when a woman experiences abdominal pain from a teratoma, it is essential to conduct a gynecological examination and pelvic ultrasound to understand the specific cause of the pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
54sec home-news-image

Do teratomas hurt?

Teratomas themselves do not cause pain, especially when they are relatively small, women often have no clinical symptoms. As the size gradually increases, the tumor pulls on the surrounding ligaments, causing abdominal discomfort, such as a feeling of abdominal heaviness, or even abdominal pain. Some women may also experience infection or adhesions with surrounding tissues, leading to abdominal pain. Additionally, some women may have malignant transformation of their teratoma, which invades surrounding tissues and nerves, possibly causing headaches. A small number of women may experience a change in the position of the teratoma after pregnancy or urination, leading to torsion, which can obstruct the blood flow to the tumor, resulting in necrosis and bleeding, causing acute abdominal pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
55sec home-news-image

How long after ovarian teratoma surgery can one have sexual intercourse?

After undergoing surgery for an ovarian teratoma, generally, sexual intercourse can resume about a month later. However, the specific timing depends on the patient's recovery. Some women who are physically stronger may recover faster and can have sexual intercourse around a month post-surgery. However, if a female patient is relatively weak, recovery might be slower, and it is advised to wait until full recovery before engaging in sexual intercourse. It is essential to take contraceptive measures during intercourse to avoid pregnancy. After surgery, it is recommended to wait until at least three months post-surgery, when the body has recovered well, before attempting pregnancy. Regular prenatal check-ups should be done after conceiving.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
52sec home-news-image

Can women with ovarian teratomas have children?

Ovarian teratomas, if discovered after pregnancy, do not significantly impact the child; however, it's crucial to confirm that the ovarian teratoma is benign. If detected during pregnancy, close observation is possible, and sudden lower abdominal pain may indicate ovarian torsion, which requires timely surgical intervention. If there are no symptoms, surgery can wait until after the child is born. If an ovarian teratoma is discovered before pregnancy, it is advisable to undergo surgery before becoming pregnant because ovarian teratomas can sometimes be malignant, and torsion may occur during pregnancy, which could affect the child.