Ovarian cysts can be a concerning condition, but early identification and understanding of the type and size of cysts can increase your chances of getting pregnant and address any other potential issues.
Most cysts are often silent, causing no symptoms unless they rupture or grow significantly, putting pressure on the stomach or pelvic area. For this reason, it's crucial for women, especially those planning for pregnancy, to have regular check-ups with their doctors.
Early detection of cyst type and size can be vital for improving pregnancy prospects and managing any associated complications. Typically, for cysts that are 50-60 millimeters or smaller, surgery is not the recommended course of action.
Below are various types of ovarian cysts and their sizes:
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Functional Cyst: These cysts form during regular menstrual cycles. They are generally small, around 2-5 centimeters in size, and typically disappear after ovulation. However, they can occasionally grow larger, up to 8-12 centimeters.
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Dermoid Cyst: Also known as teratomas, these cysts contain diverse tissues, including skin, hair, and fat. They often don't cause symptoms initially, but as they grow, symptoms may appear. Dermoid cysts can sometimes develop into ovarian tumors. They are benign but tend to grow slowly. They increase by about 1.8 millimeters per year and can reach larger sizes.
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Cystadenoma: These benign cysts contain fluid and appear similar to functional cysts on ultrasounds. However, unlike functional cysts that tend to resolve within a few menstrual cycles, cystadenomas continue to grow. Their size can range from 1-3 centimeters up to 30 centimeters.
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Endometrioma Cyst: Often referred to as "chocolate cysts" due to their thick, brownish-red blood content, these cysts result from endometriosis, where cells from the uterine wall grow outside the uterus and form cysts. While the size of endometrioma cysts is typically small, they can significantly impact fertility.
When it comes to cysts that affect fertility, such as endometriosis or PCOS, treatment is often required to improve your chances of getting pregnant. For PCOS-related infertility, consulting a doctor may lead to treatments like taking birth control pills to regulate hormones, diabetes medications like metformin (as PCOS is linked to insulin resistance), or adjusting diet and exercise habits.
Doctors may perform regular ultrasounds to monitor cyst size and check for conditions that might impede fertility. In some cases where ultrasound doesn't provide sufficient information, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) may be recommended. If the cyst grows, poses a risk of ovarian torsion (twisting), ruptures, or causes symptoms, or if there's concern about a potentially cancerous tumor, surgery to remove the cyst is often recommended.
While some cysts might not pose risks during pregnancy, they may still grow larger and interfere with childbirth, necessitating surgical removal. However, if you're hesitant about surgery, there are alternative ways to get pregnant with ovarian cysts that affect fertility, such as retaining one ovary for ovulation, considering donor eggs, or freezing your eggs before surgery.
You can also explore pregnancy programs such as IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) after surgery. Remember that your doctor is there to guide you through these options.
Reference:
https://www.healthline.com/health/ovarian-cyst-size
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos
https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/ovarian-cysts-during-pregnancy/