Can teratoma affect menstruation?

Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 17, 2025
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The majority of teratomas do not have endocrine functions and will not affect menstrual cycles. If there is a delay in menstruation, the first step is to check for pregnancy. If menstruation is delayed for two weeks, pregnancy should be ruled out, and interventions might be necessary, such as an ultrasound to examine the endometrium or a progesterone withdrawal test. Teratomas do not cause menstrual delays unless a very small number of them have endocrine issues. However, these would not suddenly change the menstrual cycle but would potentially cause long-term endocrine changes from the time the teratoma is discovered.

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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.

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Why do benign teratomas recur?

Benign teratomas, although not aggressive or metastatic, do not require adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy after curative surgery to fight the tumor. However, many benign teratomas recur after surgery and require further surgical treatment. The cause of benign teratoma recurrence is considered to be due to the persistent presence of oncogenic factors. Therefore, benign tumors can also recur, since the exact cause and pathogenesis of benign teratomas are still unclear clinically. Thus, prevention from an etiological perspective is not possible, and the only option is timely surgical removal upon tumor detection to prevent the benign teratoma from becoming malignant. For patients with benign teratomas, regular follow-up is necessary after curative surgery to monitor any changes in the condition. If signs of recurrence are detected, prompt intervention is necessary to prevent malignancy.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
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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.

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Can ovarian teratomas be cured?

Ovarian teratoma is a relatively common tumor disease in women, mostly benign in nature, and its development is largely associated with congenital factors. For small ovarian teratomas detected early, regular follow-up examinations are generally sufficient. However, surgery is required when necessary, such as in cases of rapid growth or when endocrine functions are involved, etc. Relying solely on medication to treat teratomas is utterly ineffective, as this type of tumor is a more solid ovarian tumor, and no medication will work.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
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Can you get pregnant after removing a teratoma?

Whether a woman can conceive after undergoing teratoma surgery depends on the postoperative histopathological examination. For instance, some women have mature teratomas, which are benign lesions. After the removal surgery that spares the ovarian tissue, menstrual cycles can return to normal, allowing for possible pregnancy. However, if the postoperative pathology results indicate an immature teratoma, which is a malignant condition, further extensive surgery may be required, such as pelvic lymph node dissection or a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy involving the uterus and its appendages, which might result in the inability to conceive.