Do ovarian cysts require the removal of the ovary?

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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When women discover ovarian cysts, it is not necessarily required to remove the entire ovary. For example, in women of childbearing age, the ovary can continue to ovulate, aiding in normal conception and secreting hormones to maintain normal endocrine function. In such cases, surgery to remove the ovarian cyst while preserving the healthy ovarian tissue can be performed. However, if a woman is nearing menopause or has already undergone menopause and discovers a large ovarian cyst, the function of the ovaries may have gradually declined or already ceased. If surgery is performed to remove the ovarian cyst, there is a possibility of recurrence, and the function of the ovary may already be lost. In this case, it might be appropriate to proceed with the removal of the ovary.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can you get pregnant with ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts are generally physiological and may affect pregnancy, as physiological ovarian cysts secrete hormones. At this time, there may be abnormal hormone secretion, or the cyst itself may be caused by abnormal follicle development, mainly presenting as follicular cysts. Therefore, if there is a follicular cyst, there is generally no normal ovulation, so pregnancy will not occur. Ovarian cysts can be observed for 2 to 3 months; if they are physiological, they will disappear naturally. If the ovarian cyst has not decreased in size or has increased after 2 to 3 months, it indicates that it is an ovarian tumor, and surgery is required.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to check for ovarian cysts?

Firstly, in gynecological outpatient clinics, an ovarian cyst requires examination through a gynecological color ultrasound, which can clearly determine the presence of an ovarian cyst, or evaluate the size and echo of the ovarian cyst to assess the severity of the condition. Additionally, a gynecological examination can also be performed to confirm the presence of an ovarian cyst. The main purpose is to assess the severity of the ovarian cyst disease through palpation.

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Written by Xia Hu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to check for ovarian cysts?

There are two methods for examining ovarian cysts. Firstly, through a gynecological examination, especially in cases of sexual activity, a bimanual examination can be conducted. Under bimanual examination, a mass in one of the adnexal areas can be palpated, where the nature of the mass such as whether its boundaries are clear can be observed, as well as checking for tenderness. This allows for the examination of ovarian cysts. Another method involves an ultrasound. Generally, if performing an abdominal ultrasound, it is necessary to hold urine to view the ovaries clearly. If performing a vaginal ultrasound, especially in cases of sexual activity, this can be chosen; thus, the ultrasound can provide a clearer view. It is closer to the uterus and ovaries, and thus under ultrasound, the masses in the ovaries can be detected. Therefore, both of these methods are viable.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is an adnexal cyst the same as an ovarian cyst?

Adnexa clinically refers to the fallopian tubes and ovaries combined, thus, adnexal cysts are not necessarily ovarian cysts. During gynecological ultrasound, these are often reported as cysts in the adnexal area because the proximity of the ovaries and fallopian tubes makes it difficult to conclusively determine if an adnexal cyst is an ovarian cyst. Clinically, cysts in the fallopian tubes are also referred to as cysts in the adnexal area. Distinguishing them often requires surgery to see the exact location of the cyst for identification.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What should I do if an ovarian cyst ruptures?

Ovarian cyst rupture refers to the expulsion of the fluid inside an ovarian cyst out of the cyst due to external forces. When an ovarian cyst ruptures, the patient can suddenly experience severe pain in the lower abdomen on one side, which is often unbearable. At the same time, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting may accompany the pain. If the fluid inside the cyst is irritating, for example, the fluid in an endometriosis cyst which resembles chocolate, this fluid can promote widespread abdominal pain. This irritation can lead to peritonitis. Generally, an ovarian cyst rupture requires immediate surgical intervention for treatment.