Does ovarian teratoma affect pregnancy?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on May 18, 2025
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Ovarian teratomas are a common type of benign ovarian tumor, and most ovarian teratomas do not affect the ability to become pregnant. This is because ovarian teratomas generally do not cause ovulation disorders, do not affect the function of the fertilized egg, and typically do not lead to pelvic inflammation, so the majority of patients with ovarian teratomas can become pregnant normally. However, if the ovarian teratoma is relatively large, greater than five centimeters, this condition may affect the function of the ovaries, or cause the teratoma to rupture or become infected after pregnancy. For teratomas larger than five centimeters, it is generally recommended to undergo laparoscopic surgery to remove the teratoma before attempting pregnancy, to prevent the teratoma from affecting the pregnancy.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Will a teratoma disappear with Chinese herbal medicine?

Teratoma is a common type of ovarian cyst. Clinically, teratomas will not disappear by taking traditional Chinese medicine. Generally, it is recommended that if a patient suspects a teratoma, they should immediately seek medical attention at a local hospital, undergo gynecological examinations, gynecological ultrasound, and other relevant tests, and hospitalization for surgical treatment if necessary. The primary purpose of the surgery is to completely remove the ovarian teratoma. Secondly, the removed ovarian teratoma should be subjected to further pathological examination to confirm whether it is an ovarian teratoma.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What's the matter with ovarian teratoma pain?

The causes of lower abdominal pain in women with ovarian teratomas are complex. Firstly, as the teratoma grows in size, it can, due to gravity, pull on surrounding ligaments, causing pain on one side of the lower abdomen. When the teratoma is particularly large, it can also compress nerves in the pelvis, leading to neuropathic pain. Moreover, teratomas are heterogeneously textured. If they are quite mobile and not adhering to surrounding tissues, sudden changes in body position, or an increase in uterine size during the mid-pregnancy, might shift the position of the teratoma. This can lead to torsion of the stalk, causing local ischemia and hypoxia, and resulting in acute lower abdominal pain.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is a teratoma pregnancy?

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.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What to do about ovarian teratoma abdominal pain?

If a patient has an ovarian teratoma and also has abdominal pain, they should immediately visit a local hospital for a gynecological examination and a gynecological ultrasound. The main purpose is to confirm whether there is torsion of the ovarian teratoma. Once torsion of the ovarian teratoma occurs, it can cause ischemic necrosis of the ipsilateral fallopian tube and ovary, leading to severe consequences. Therefore, once an ovarian teratoma is detected, it is not advisable for the patient to continue observation treatment. Prompt surgery is key to avoiding pathological changes and complications.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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Does ovarian teratoma affect pregnancy?

In gynecology, teratomas are a very common type of ovarian cyst. If a teratoma is discovered during the pre-pregnancy period, its size should be considered. If the teratoma is larger than five centimeters in diameter and is accompanied by abnormalities on a CT scan, it is recommended to undergo surgery before attempting to conceive. If the teratoma is very small, such as two to three centimeters in diameter, it does not affect future pregnancy. If a teratoma is discovered during early pregnancy, opinions vary. Some recommend surgical treatment after the first trimester, while others suggest a pregnancy observation plan. Teratomas during pregnancy are prone to complications such as ovarian cyst torsion, which can cause abdominal pain. Therefore, if you have a teratoma and successfully conceive, be mindful of any pain.