Can you get pregnant with an ovarian cyst?

Written by Xia Hu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on June 28, 2025
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Ovarian cysts can allow for pregnancy, but if cysts are found before pregnancy, appropriate actions should be taken based on different situations. For instance, if the cysts are larger than 10cm and there are symptoms like abdominal pain, it is generally advised to undergo surgery before attempting to conceive for safety purposes. Currently, laparoscopic surgery is commonly chosen to remove ovarian cysts, which can be beneficial for pregnancy. Sometimes, an enlarged ovarian cyst may affect the morphology of the fallopian tubes, and even lead to infertility, thus surgery before pregnancy is necessary. However, smaller cysts, such as those less than 5cm, or about 2cm, do not require treatment and one can proceed with pregnancy. Even after conception, it is necessary to regularly monitor the status of the cysts through ultrasound examinations.

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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Do ovarian cysts hurt?

This ovarian cyst is generally a benign tumor change. Normally, ovarian cysts do not show any symptoms. However, as the cyst grows larger, it may cause an increase in abdominal size and bloating. It may also press on the gastrointestinal tract and the bladder, leading to corresponding urinary and gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally, changes in body position may lead to acute abdomen, such as ovarian cysts, torsion of the stalk, rupture of ovarian cysts, and other conditions.

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Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of ovarian cysts

The cause of ovarian cysts is unclear, with many factors that can lead to ovarian cysts. The most common type of physiological ovarian cyst is the follicular cyst. The most common pathological causes are chronic inflammation or abnormalities in hormone secretion and endocrine factors, but most causes are unclear. If an ovarian cyst is discovered, it is recommended to regularly check with a color Doppler ultrasound, which is a common gynecological test for tumor markers. If the results are abnormal, timely surgical treatment is recommended to more directly understand the nature of the ovarian cyst. If the cyst is smaller than five centimeters in diameter and has good internal sound transmission, it can be observed regularly; otherwise, aggressive surgical treatment is advised.

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Written by Xia Hu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Do ovarian cysts hurt?

Ovarian cysts are mostly painless, but larger cysts, especially those larger than 10cm and extending beyond the pelvic area, may cause some mild discomfort and bloating. Another scenario involves severe pain when there is torsion of the cyst's pedicle. Pain can also occur if the cyst becomes infected. Thus, treatment depends on the specific circumstances. Generally, simple cysts do not show obvious symptoms and are often discovered during routine examinations, especially during an ultrasound. If an ovarian cyst experiences torsion or infection, prompt treatment is necessary. Larger ovarian cysts may also require surgical intervention. Therefore, the treatment for ovarian cysts should be based on the presence of symptoms and size.

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Written by Xia Hu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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ovarian cyst malignant symptoms

Ovarian cysts can exhibit certain symptoms if they become malignant. The primary symptom is pain in the lower abdomen. Generally, if the ovary undergoes a malignant transformation, the mass will grow larger and create a sensation of swelling and pain. Sometimes in the late stages of ovarian tumors, there can be pain throughout the abdomen, along with signs of cachexia, such as weight loss and decreased immunity after eating, which may suggest the possibility of cancer. In such cases, timely medical examinations are necessary. Typically, a pelvic and abdominal ultrasound can reveal the situation, along with blood tests including changes in certain common tumor markers. If the disease is malignant, the tumor markers in the blood will significantly increase.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Do ovarian cysts require the removal of the ovary?

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.