Can one have sexual intercourse with a teratoma?

Written by Liu Jian Wei

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Updated on November 30, 2024

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Teratoma is a type of ovarian cyst located within the abdominal cavity. Generally, the presence of a teratoma does not affect the patient's ability to have a normal sexual life. However, it is advised not to engage in overly vigorous sexual activity, as intense sexual activity can cause torsion of the ovarian cyst in the abdominal cavity. Once torsion of the ovarian teratoma occurs, it can lead to torsion of both the fallopian tube and the ovary on the affected side. Following torsion, the twisted fallopian tube and ovary lack blood supply, which can further lead to ischemia and necrosis. In such cases, it becomes necessary to surgically remove the affected fallopian tube and ovary.

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Written by Du Rui Xia

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Can teratoma affect pregnancy?

Teratoma is a relatively common disease that occurs in the ovaries of women, caused by abnormal differentiation of reproductive cells during the embryonic period. Teratomas are classified into benign and malignant types. Teratomas can indeed affect a woman's ability to become pregnant and can pose a threat to health. Potential complications include torsion, rupture, and infection of the teratoma, which can gradually lead to other concurrent conditions. If not treated promptly, it could cause acute diseases and threaten a woman's ability to reproduce, affecting the happiness of the entire family. When an ovarian teratoma enlarges or undergoes degeneration, it may prevent the normal movement of eggs or fertilized eggs, thereby affecting normal fertility. Upon detection of a teratoma, surgery is generally required for treatment.

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Written by Yue Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Can you keep a pregnancy with a teratoma?

Pregnancy with a teratoma is generally considered safe, as the teratoma is a tumor located on the ovary and, if there is a pregnancy, the embryo develops within the uterus. Typically, the teratoma does not significantly affect the pregnancy, nor does the pregnancy greatly affect the teratoma, because they are not in the same organ. Therefore, it is usually acceptable to continue with the pregnancy in such cases. However, it is essential to undergo ultrasound examinations during pregnancy to monitor the development of the teratoma. If the teratoma increases in size, it is advisable to consider surgical removal after the first three months of pregnancy, as the baby is relatively larger and the surgery is generally safer at this stage.

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Written by Shen Li Wen

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 6sec

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Malignant manifestations of ovarian teratoma

When ovarian teratomas are small, they usually do not exhibit any clinical symptoms. When teratomas become malignant, they grow faster, and if too large, may cause women to experience abdominal distension and pain. The pulling of surrounding tissues can also lead to pain in the lower abdomen on one side in women. When ovarian teratomas are severely malignant, they can invade or compress surrounding tissues, leading to related symptoms like compression of the fallopian tubes, causing infertility; or compression towards the bladder, causing frequent and urgent urination in women. The texture of teratomas is uneven. In certain special circumstances, such as when a woman suddenly changes her position, torsion or rupture of the teratoma can occur, causing acute lower abdominal pain and other symptoms of acute abdomen. Additionally, in the late stages of the disease, symptoms such as emaciation and anemia can also appear.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 1sec

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How to treat ovarian teratoma

The treatment for ovarian teratoma can only be addressed through surgical methods; this type of teratoma cannot be treated effectively with medication or conservative approaches. Therefore, once an ultrasound report indicates the presence of a teratoma, it is often advised to undergo surgery as soon as possible. After the surgery, the removed tissue should be examined pathologically again to check for any malignant tendencies. The majority of teratomas are benign, with only a very small number of undifferentiated ones showing malignant potential. Hence, most teratomas require surgical treatment at a hospital. There are different surgical options for treating teratomas, including open abdominal surgery and minimally invasive surgery. If conditions allow, most people will opt for laparoscopic surgery to treat ovarian teratomas.

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Written by Yan Chun

Oncology

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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.