How to understand that a cyst has come out during pregnancy. What are the dangers of a cyst on the left or right ovary in the early and late stages of pregnancy and how is it treated? Clinical picture of the pathology

The presence of any pathology can throw a pregnant woman into panic, but the most worrying thing is caused by diseases that affect the reproductive organs. Against the background of a full-scale hormonal restructuring of the body, which is associated with the upcoming birth of a new life, very often women are diagnosed with an ovarian cyst during pregnancy.

The neoplasm could develop in the gonad before the moment of conception, but whenever it appears, the expectant mother is always concerned about the question: is the cyst dangerous for her and her child? In this article you will find the answer to this question and a lot of useful information about methods of treating cysts during pregnancy.

About the cyst

An ovarian cyst is a pathological formation of benign origin, which can form from the corpus luteum, follicle, endometrial and other tissues. Similar tumors can occur on any of the gonads. The size of the formation can vary from a few millimeters to several tens of centimeters. To prevent harmful consequences, it is imperative to treat the cyst, no matter what type it is.

The most common cause of cyst formation is hormonal imbalance, which occurs due to stress, strict diets, overeating, climate change, and alcohol abuse. If the tumor arose due to these factors in the early stages of pregnancy, then in order for the tumor to resolve, in most cases it is enough to simply remove the cause of the hormonal imbalance. Gynecological manipulations (abortion, cesarean section, poorly performed gynecological examination, installation of an IUD), gynecological pathologies and diseases of other organs, as well as harmful living conditions can also provoke the development of a tumor.

As practice shows, a benign tumor of the left ovary during pregnancy is less dangerous for the health of the mother and embryo, since it less often leads to all kinds of complications. This is explained by the anatomical features of the paired organ. A cyst of the right ovary is more dangerous because in this area there is more intense blood circulation and a more branched vascular network.

What are the dangers during pregnancy?

If a woman is found to have an ovarian cyst and pregnancy at the same time, there is no need to worry too much, since the formation in most cases does not pose a threat to the mother and fetus, although there is still a potential danger of developing various kinds of complications. You need to be wary of cysts that have increased in size to 6 mm or more. Such formations have a high risk of rupture with subsequent spillage of contents into the abdominal cavity. Also, when a rupture occurs, blood loss may develop, which causes severe pain in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting; the woman may lose her blood and be in a state of hypovolemic or hemorrhagic shock. The rupture of a cyst can result in the death of a pregnant woman; also, a similar condition can affect the condition of the fetus, causing the following disorders:

  • severe oxygen starvation of the fetus;
  • problems with embryo development;
  • fetal freezing;
  • intrauterine embryo death;
  • spontaneous abortion or premature birth.

If the tumor ruptures, an operation should be immediately performed to completely or partially excise the affected organ; this can lead to the loss of the child, but there is also a good outcome from such operations when both mother and child remain alive and healthy.

Another dangerous complication is torsion of the pedicle of the neoplasm. This is such a painful condition that the woman takes a forced position, bending over and pressing her knees to her stomach. When the pedicle of the cyst is twisted, the blood vessels that penetrate it are compressed, which leads to the cessation of blood supply and to the death of the neoplasm itself. Necrotic processes are fraught with the spread of toxins and decay products not only throughout the mother’s body, but also through the unborn baby.

Torsion and rupture of the cyst are the most dangerous and common complications, but the possibility of malignancy of the tumor should not be excluded. If the tumor is large, it physically affects nearby tissues and disrupts blood circulation in them, promoting the development of inflammation.

The effect of the cyst depending on the type

A cyst during pregnancy in most cases is not dangerous for mother and child, but the possibility of complications always remains. There are several types of cystic tumors. Let's look at how a cyst affects pregnancy depending on its type:

  • luteal or corpus luteum cyst. It appears more often than other varieties, often in early pregnancy. The corpus luteum is transformed into a cystic sac; such a neoplasm resolves on its own when the fully formed placenta takes over the function of producing progesterone. Such tumors are small in size, so they are safe for both the mother and the fetus;
  • endometrioid. Due to the tendency to grow rapidly, this type of tumor can cause serious complications. Sometimes the tumor can grow up to 30 cm in diameter, causing severe and persistent abdominal pain. Since there is a high probability of cyst rupture, it must be removed surgically at any stage of pregnancy immediately upon detection;
  • follicular. Most often, such a neoplasm occurs when the endocrine system malfunctions, as a result of which the ovaries intensively produce estrogen, and a single-phase anovulatory menstrual cycle begins. Sometimes such tumors can resolve on their own, even without taking medications, provided that hormonal levels are restored. In the early stages of pregnancy, it is necessary to monitor the development of tumors of this type, since their active growth can result in torsion of the cyst stalk or its rupture, which entails poisoning of the body and death of the pregnant woman in the absence of adequate treatment;
  • paraovarian. Such a cyst is dangerous due to rupture and torsion of the leg, suppuration and the development of an acute abdomen. It can develop in women of any age due to improper development of the accessory tubules. The tumor has the appearance of a cavity in the appendage, lined with epithelial tissue, which is filled with a mucinous substance with exudate. Since the cyst is supplied with blood by the vessels of the walls of the uterus and its tubes, it can cause their deformation. The only positive point is that this type of tumor does not become malignant;
  • dermoid. These are congenital cysts, they appear at the stage of intrauterine development and contain fragments of embryonic tissue under a dense membrane. Often such tumors are detected long before pregnancy during a preventive ultrasound of the pelvic organs. Dermoids cannot be treated conservatively and require mandatory removal.

Symptoms

Small neoplasms may not manifest themselves in any way at the initial stages of their development; they can only be seen during a routine ultrasound. Initially, expectant management is chosen; the pregnant woman will need to come for follow-up visits to the gynecologist more often.

When the tumor begins to increase in size, the following symptoms may occur:

  • pain in the lower abdomen;
  • problems with bowel movements;
  • frequent trips to the toilet “in small ways”.

Pain may appear after physical activity, constipation and abdominal discomfort may occur. Such symptoms are provoked by a cyst that has grown in diameter and presses on the intestines.

Frequent urge to urinate is a normal occurrence for any pregnant woman, but when she also has an ovarian cyst, which has increased in size to more than 6-8 mm, “small” visits to the toilet become too frequent even for the period of pregnancy. If the tumor is very large, it can cause nausea in a woman, even vomiting; the same symptoms can occur if the cystic sac ruptures.

Torsion of the leg and rupture of the cystic sac may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • severe sharp pain;
  • increased body temperature;
  • bloody discharge from the vagina;
  • weakness, nausea, vomiting, fainting – symptoms of acute abdomen;
  • when a right ovarian cyst ruptures, the symptoms resemble an attack of appendicitis;
  • When a left ovarian cyst ruptures, the symptoms are similar to a stomach ulcer and its perforation.

Treatment during pregnancy

The presence of a cystic formation in the gonad can be determined during a gynecological examination and ultrasound, but it is possible to say specifically what to do with this tumor only after determining its type; until this moment, a woman with any type of cyst is registered and the development is monitored as a neoplasm , and the fruit.

The main tactic when detecting an ovarian cyst during pregnancy is waiting. Small follicular and luteal cysts usually resolve during the 1st trimester. If it is determined that the tumor has developed due to progesterone deficiency, the specialist may prescribe Duphaston. When the tumor continues to grow and does not respond to treatment, surgery is prescribed.

If a tumor appeared or was discovered in the second trimester, there is no need to be afraid, at this stage it does not pose a threat to either the mother or the fetus, and it does not interfere with natural delivery. After the birth of the baby, the woman is recommended to undergo additional treatment. If the tumor is large or is likely to rupture, surgery may be prescribed to remove it.

Removal of a cyst during pregnancy is allowed in the 2nd trimester (14-16 weeks). Typically, the laparoscopic method is used for this. The operation lasts 1-1.5 hours under intravenous anesthesia. This is a low-traumatic operation, during which 3 small punctures are made in the anterior abdominal wall, through which all the necessary instruments are inserted. In emergency cases, when the cystic sac has ruptured, the tumor is very large, or there is confirmation of the presence of malignant cells in it, a laparotomy is performed. This is an abdominal operation that carries great risks to the life of both mother and child.

If the complications listed above occur in a pregnant woman in the third trimester, when the fetus has reached a viable age, she is recommended to resort to early delivery through cesarean section, while at the same time the cystic neoplasm is removed during the operation.

Pregnancy after cyst removal

Pregnancy may well occur after laparoscopy of a cyst and even after laparotomy, but only if only the neoplasm was removed without excision of the ovary. Pregnancy is also possible with one ovary, but in this case problems may arise with conception, then you should resort to IVF.

On the second day after laparoscopy, the patient needs to get up and move independently to prevent the development of adhesions. Since the puncture wounds are very small, the pain will not cause much discomfort to the woman. To prevent the development of infectious complications, a woman is prescribed to drink antibiotics and, if necessary, painkillers for 3-5 days. In a hospital setting, the operated patient is observed for no more than 5 days.

For a week after the operation, a woman must adhere to a diet, eat food mainly in liquid form, be sure to perform hygiene procedures, take a shower, but exclude baths, saunas, steam baths and swimming pools. Puncture sites should be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. To fully restore reproductive function, your doctor may prescribe hormonal medications. You can start planning conception no earlier than a few months after the operation and with the permission of the doctor.

Can a cyst give a positive test?

The development of functional type cysts can most often be provoked by hormonal imbalance, one of the symptoms of which can be an irregular menstrual cycle. It is quite natural that a woman who does not suspect the presence of a cyst on her gonads may perceive a delay in menstruation as a sign of pregnancy. The first thing the fair sex does in this case is, of course, buy a pregnancy test. If conception does not occur, but the test is positive, this may well mean that the woman has a corpus luteum cyst. It is quite possible to confuse a cyst with pregnancy in the early stages, since the neoplasm does not make itself felt in any other way; a visit to a gynecologist can clarify this.

A non-pregnancy test in the absence of conception can show a false positive result not only in the presence of hormone-dependent types of cysts, but also in other circumstances:

  • if the test was carried out in violation of the operating instructions;
  • if the test has expired or was stored and transported in violation of the standards;
  • when using contraceptives;
  • with irregular periods;
  • during fetal development outside the uterus;
  • in the presence of various ailments affecting the functioning of the ovaries.

If a pregnancy test shows a positive result, only a doctor can determine whether this is a symptom of impending conception or whether it is some kind of pathology.

Content

Women who have discovered tumors on the gonads often ask gynecologists whether it is possible to become pregnant with an ovarian cyst. To answer this question, it is necessary to examine the patient. After all, the likelihood of pregnancy is directly related to the type and size of the tumor.

The effect of cysts on reproductive functions

To understand the peculiarities of the influence of cystic formations on the possibility of getting pregnant, you need to find out what types of them exist:

  • dermoid;
  • endometrioid;
  • follicular;
  • cystomas;
  • corpus luteum cysts;
  • polycystic ovaries.

They have virtually no effect on the functioning of the reproductive organs: corpus luteum cyst, follicular and dermoid tumors, cystomas. Women who have developed endometrioid formations and are diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome find it difficult to become pregnant.

Important! The occurrence of some types of tumors is due to hormonal imbalances. When they appear, the ovulation process may be disrupted. If the egg does not mature in the follicle or cannot be released, the patient will not be able to become pregnant.

Is pregnancy possible with an ovarian cyst?

Many women manage to get pregnant and carry a child to term even with diagnosed reproductive health problems. But with an ovarian cyst, ovulation is not always possible. If the existing tumor does not prevent the egg from maturing and leaving the follicle, the woman can become pregnant.

With a corpus luteum cyst

A cystic neoplasm in place of the corpus luteum forms after ovulation. It occurs in cases when the corpus luteum, formed in place of the released egg, degenerates into a cystic formation.

It does not interfere with conception in any way. Luteal tumors are often discovered during pregnancy. Their appearance is associated with hormonal imbalance in the body and circulatory disorders in the ovaries. A functional ovarian cyst does not affect the course of pregnancy. It produces progesterone, just like the normal corpus luteum.

With endometrioid cyst

Endometrioid neoplasms appear when intensive growth of tissue identical to the mucous layer of the uterus begins. Such structures are covered with a thick capsule, and there may be adhesions on their surface. Inside endometriotic heterotopias there are remnants of blood that is released during menstruation.

It is almost impossible to get pregnant with endometriotic tumors. Often these problems are identified in women who come to the gynecologist with complaints of infertility. They are located on both the right and left ovaries. Endometriotic growths are detected on the fallopian tubes, the outer uterine layer, and in the pelvic cavity. In order for the patient to become pregnant, gynecologists recommend first removing the cystic tumors.

Sometimes endometrioid cysts of the right and left ovaries are diagnosed during pregnancy. In the presence of endometrioid heterotopias, there is an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. If in a pregnant patient they are small and do not compress internal organs, there are no contraindications to pregnancy and childbirth. It is important that the woman is under medical supervision during pregnancy.

For paraovarian cyst

A paraovary neoplasm is a benign tumor that is located between the fallopian tube, ovary, and uterine broad ligament. It is a cavity with liquid inside. The main reason for the appearance is considered to be a violation of the process of intrauterine anlage of the genital organs.

If the formation is small, pregnancy with such an ovarian cyst is possible. Large tumors provoke the appearance of infertility; they also lead to disruption of the process of urination and defecation. Doctors recommend removing large structures; they do not resolve on their own.

For follicular cyst

Most often, follicular tumors appear in girls during puberty. They occur with equal frequency in the left and right gonads. In the absence of concomitant problems with reproductive health, follicular cystic structures do not interfere with pregnancy and bearing the fetus. When carrying a child, the hormonal levels change, as a result, the follicular ovarian cyst in pregnant women resolves by 16-20 weeks.

In some patients, against the background of follicular tumors, estrogen begins to be produced in increased quantities. This leads to disruptions in the menstrual cycle and the appearance of acyclic bleeding. To normalize the cycle, the gynecologist may prescribe conservative treatment. With the correct selection of drugs, recovery occurs within 2 months.

For dermoid cyst

Dermoid formations are benign tumors of the female gonads. They can grow up to 15 cm in diameter. Dermoid tumors include:

  • hair;
  • genital, sebaceous glands;
  • nervous, connective, muscle, fatty tissues.

Inside the neoplasms are filled with jelly-like contents. The most common dermoid cyst of the right ovary occurs during pregnancy. If it is small, does not put pressure on neighboring internal organs, it is not touched during pregnancy. But the patient must be under close medical supervision.

If a dermoid formation is detected before conception, it must be removed immediately. In some cases, partial excision of ovarian tissue is also performed.

How does an ovarian cyst affect pregnancy?

To avoid unpleasant surprises, you need to be examined before becoming pregnant. If tumors are detected, the gynecologist may recommend conservative or surgical treatment. If an ovarian cyst was detected during early pregnancy, the woman’s condition should be monitored. Drug treatment is not used during this period.

Small cystic formations do not affect the course of pregnancy. If the expectant mother has a follicular cystic structure, it should resolve on its own. Its disappearance is associated with changes in hormonal levels. Tumor-like formations of the corpus luteum may disappear at the beginning of the 2nd trimester, but some functional structures remain until childbirth.

Warning! Large neoplasms are dangerous for the life of the fetus and mother. If they are detected, patients are advised to remain in bed. Independent childbirth is not practiced in such situations. Women are prescribed a planned caesarean section.

Is it possible to give birth with an ovarian cyst: possible difficulties

The choice of method of delivery for cystic formations is carried out individually in each case. If the patient has functional neoplasms, the diameter of which is not large, there are no contraindications for natural childbirth.

For large tumors, doctors recommend a cesarean section. There is a high risk of complications such as rupture of the cystic tumor or torsion of its pedicle. This can lead to intra-abdominal bleeding and peritonitis. Neoplasms can also interfere with the passage of the baby through the birth canal. During abdominal surgery, the tumor is immediately removed.

Is it possible to remove an ovarian cyst during pregnancy?

When identifying cystic formations in expectant mothers, gynecologists only recommend observing them. But if an ovarian cyst grows along with an increase in pregnancy, the doctor may suggest removing it.

Urgent surgical intervention is required in cases where a woman complains of severe abdominal pain, deterioration in health, and a drop in blood pressure. This condition indicates the development of surgical pathology.

If possible, removal of an ovarian cyst during pregnancy is performed using laparoscopy. If laparoscopic surgery is not possible, an inferomedian incision is made. This allows you to maintain the pregnancy.

Ovarian cyst and infertility

When certain types of tumors appear, a woman’s menstrual cycle is disrupted and problems with reproductive health appear. If an ovarian luteal cyst and pregnancy are compatible, with endometriotic, large paraovary formations, difficulties arise in getting pregnant. In some patients, problems with conception are caused by follicular cystic tumors.

If neoplasms cause infertility, treatment is prescribed. Depending on their type, the doctor may recommend drug therapy or surgical treatment. It is better to remove the tumor in a timely manner than to try to get pregnant with it. Even if you become pregnant, there is a possibility of developing complications while carrying a child.

Conclusion

Many women who have been diagnosed with various neoplasms on the gonads are worried about whether it is possible to become pregnant with an ovarian cyst. With some types of tumors there are no problems with conception and pregnancy. But there are cysts that provoke the development of infertility. You can understand their types and find out how they affect the ability to get pregnant from the video

Pregnancy with an ovarian cyst: reviews

Veronika Vasilyeva, 38 years old, Kirov

As practice has shown, you can get pregnant with an ovarian cyst. I did not prepare for pregnancy in advance; I did not undergo any examinations. At 8 weeks I had my first ultrasound. During the examination, I was told that there was a follicular benign neoplasm on the left, measuring 45 mm. But during an ultrasound at 22 weeks, the tumor was no longer found.

Irina Kapatorova, 27 years old, Moscow

I went to the doctor after 2 years of unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant. During the examination, I was diagnosed with endometrioid tumors. The doctor prescribed laparoscopic surgery to remove them. After surgery, pregnancy was allowed only after six months.

Marina Dimirova, 31 years old, Ryazan

After identifying a follicular tumor-like formation on an ultrasound, the doctor said that I would not be able to get pregnant until I underwent treatment. But the very next month I saw a positive test, and I managed to get pregnant with an ovarian cyst. At the moment, the child is already 4 months old, there were no problems with pregnancy and childbirth.

Author Svirid Nadezhda Yurievna Update date: August 6, 2018 0

Pregnancy is a happy event in the life of every woman, because very soon the miracle of the birth of a new life will happen. And although this condition has been sufficiently studied, it still remains mysterious, because it is impossible to say with 100% certainty how the long period of bearing a baby will go for a particular woman. One of the fairly common pathologies during pregnancy. The neoplasm can occur both before and after conception.

Of course, if an expectant mother takes a responsible approach to her health and plans her future, she should definitely visit a doctor for an examination and proper preparation for conception. If a cyst is discovered during research, it is recommended to first treat it or remove it surgically, and only then begin to have an open sexual life. Approximately 90% of ovarian cysts appear before conception, but go unnoticed.

Is it possible to get pregnant with an ovarian cyst?

Many women, who were diagnosed with a pathological formation of the gonad during examination even before conception, wonder whether it is dangerous and what is the likelihood of conceiving a baby.

It is possible to become pregnant with a detected cyst, but it is better not to try, because no one knows how the tumor will behave during the 9-10 months of bearing a child. Perhaps the cyst will resolve itself and will not cause any discomfort, perhaps it will freeze for a while, or, on the contrary, it will begin to grow rapidly, threatening the health of the mother and the life of the fetus.

You can get pregnant with the following pathologies of the gonads:

  1. . This is the most harmless neoplasm of the gonad, which in 95% of cases does not aggravate pregnancy in any way. A corpus luteum cyst is considered to be a formation with very thick walls that has formed in situ. If for some reason the gland does not regress, but remains in the place of the burst follicle, a cystic formation is formed. The inside of the corpus luteum cyst is filled with light-colored liquid contents, sometimes mixed with blood. As a rule, this neoplasm is detected in the early stages of gestation using ultrasound. Pathology is detected quite often - in approximately 5-10% of patients. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, such a cyst performs all the functions of the corpus luteum, and then resolves by 16-17 weeks of gestation.
  2. . A neoplasm appears if the dominant follicle, due to a hormonal imbalance, does not rupture and release a mature egg into the uterine cavity. Ovulation does not occur, and the follicle gradually fills with fluid, turning into a cyst. Of course, in a month when the follicle has not burst, conception cannot occur. But in subsequent months, pregnancy may well occur with an existing cyst. As a rule, these cysts regress on their own within a few months, and many gynecologists do not consider it necessary to treat them at all. However, it also happens that the neoplasm continues to grow, reaching impressive sizes. If a follicular cyst begins to grow during pregnancy (which is extremely rare), then doctors will have to take extreme measures - perform surgery.
  3. . The tumor is formed in utero due to the influence of negative factors when tissues foreign to this organ enter the fetal ovary. Unfortunately, at the birth of a girl, the neoplasm reaches only a few mm in size, and therefore goes unnoticed by doctors. Dermoid can begin to grow at any time, including during pregnancy. Unfortunately, such a cyst will never regress on its own and will not decrease in size by a millimeter, and therefore its treatment is only surgical. If the dermoid cyst in the gonad of the expectant mother does not grow, or increases in size extremely slowly and does not interfere with the normal development of the baby, it is only monitored. Otherwise, doctors perform laparoscopy.
  4. – quite a serious and dangerous disease. Unfortunately, this neoplasm has a very high chance of degenerating into a malignant tumor, and therefore treatment should only be radical. There are several types of cystadenomas: (resembling an ordinary cyst, usually single-chamber and filled with fluid), papillary (so called because of multiple polyp-like growths that can be both outside the formation and inside it) and (filled from the inside not with fluid, but opaque mucus - mucin). In most cases, cysts appear before pregnancy, and after conception, of all 3 types, a serous neoplasm is most often found. If the cyst size does not exceed 3 cm on ultrasound, no additional measures are taken, but the tumor is carefully monitored. If the cyst grows, then, alas, doctors recommend deciding to have an abortion before 12 weeks of gestation, or to remove the cyst during pregnancy after 16 weeks.
  5. . It is formed after endometrial cells, which normally should be found only inside the uterine cavity, enter the ovary under the influence of provoking factors. In the gonad, these cells perform their usual function - they undergo cyclic changes. The accumulated blood cannot leave the woman’s body through the cervix, as happens during menstruation, and therefore an endometrioid capsule filled with menstrual blood is formed. An endometrial cyst always forms before conception, but if a woman has not been examined, it is found already during an “interesting situation.” If the lump is small, the gynecologist will monitor it and prescribe medications to help resolve the cyst. If nothing helps and the tumor grows, it is advisable to seek help from surgeons.
  6. . A single-chamber formation with very thin walls is located in the space between the ovary and the leaves of the broad uterine ligament. Most paraovarian cysts discovered during gestation are non-critical and do not grow during this period; otherwise, the cyst is removed.
  7. . This pathology represents multiple cystic formations in the gonad, which are formed due to the fact that the follicles, which should regress, leaving one dominant one (in which the egg matures), did not disappear, but remained in place, filled with fluid. Unfortunately, one of the main consequences of this disease is infertility, and therefore it is difficult for a woman with such a diagnosis to become pregnant even with the help of doctors, and even more so on her own. But pregnancy is still possible. Even if the long-awaited conception has occurred, the patient with polycystic disease requires close medical supervision and the prescription of adequate therapy. Without treatment, the risks of abortion, premature birth, fetal pathologies, gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertension increase many times over.

Good afternoon. I have 2 bad news today. I had a delay, I took a test - it was positive (I was really looking forward to this child, after a frozen pregnancy 2 years ago, my husband and I wanted to become parents even more). I ran to an ultrasound to confirm my guess, and there was an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy measuring 5 cm. Could a cyst have affected this? (Veronica, 23 years old)

Veronica, I really sympathize with you. No, a functional cyst does not interfere with conception and cannot affect the development of an ectopic pregnancy. You need to urgently visit a doctor for an abortion. Do not under any circumstances delay your visit to the hospital.

As you can see, it is better to get checked before pregnancy than to discover an unpleasant discovery in the form of an ovarian cyst after going to the doctor for registration. According to statistics, cysts form quite rarely during pregnancy - in only 10% of cases; most often, this pathology is present even before conception, but goes unnoticed.

Many women are interested in which cyst forms on which ovary more often. There are no exact statistics, but research by scientists has shown that the pathological process most often begins on the right. This is due to better nutrition of the right ovary than the left, due to its direct connection with the main aorta. Bilateral ovarian cysts, fortunately, are found less frequently - in approximately 7-10% of all cases.

Hello. I'm pregnant, 6 weeks pregnant. I went for an ultrasound (I haven’t seen a gynecologist yet), and there I was diagnosed with an 8 cm paraovarian cyst. What should I do? (Anna, 26 years old)

Hello Anna. It is quite difficult to draw conclusions virtually. All I can say is that a dermoid cyst will not disappear on its own, and during pregnancy it can only begin to grow. Urgently visit your gynecologist and show him an ultrasound. It is necessary to have this study redone by another specialist and look at it in a gynecological chair to make sure the diagnosis is correct, and then think about what to do. A dermoid cyst must be removed surgically.

Can an ovarian cyst be confused with pregnancy?

Signs of the appearance of ovarian cysts can easily be confused with pregnancy, because the symptoms during the pathological process and in the period after conception are in some ways very similar:

  • Lack of menstruation. A large cyst may well disrupt the menstrual cycle, causing amenorrhea.
  • Nagging pain in the lower abdomen. During pregnancy, unexpressed stretching in the lower abdomen without clear localization is normally possible, and many patients, coupled with the absence of menstruation, easily mistake a cyst for successful fertilization.
  • The appearance of characteristic signs of pregnancy: abnormal stool, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, weight gain.
  • Increase in abdominal size. If the abdomen becomes enlarged due to a cyst, this indicates either its rapid growth or ascites (a pathological accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity).

Good afternoon, doctor. Please tell me, can an ovarian cyst give a positive pregnancy test? A month ago they found a small endometrioid cyst in me (I’m undergoing treatment), but today I took a test and it shows 2 lines. (Olga, 32 years old)

Hello Olga. This may happen, but with a low probability - approximately only 1%. The pregnancy test responds to increases in the level of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). Under normal conditions, this hormone is also present in the body, but in extremely small doses. An increase in hCG levels in the absence of pregnancy may indicate much greater problems than a cyst. In addition, pregnancy tests sometimes give false positive results due to improper storage, expiration date, etc. I would advise you to visit a gynecologist and get examined to find out exactly about your condition.

To make sure that changes in the body are not associated with an ovarian cyst, but with a long-awaited pregnancy, you must:

  • Conduct a test. A positive pregnancy test does not indicate successful fertilization with a 100% guarantee; one should take into account the fact that there are also false positive results, and therefore the test should be repeated several times for greater reliability.
  • Donating blood for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). In the first weeks of pregnancy, the concentration of hCG increases relentlessly, doubling every 2-3 days.
  • Ultrasound. If the expected pregnancy is already 3-4 weeks old, then the doctor can easily see the fertilized egg in the uterine cavity.

In fact, you can confuse a cyst with pregnancy only by your feelings. Be that as it may, as soon as you feel discomfort or your period is delayed, contact a specialist. The doctor will make the correct diagnosis in one visit, and you will not be tormented by doubts.

Hello. I'm nauseous for the second week and my period is late. I think I'm pregnant. But I read on the Internet that such symptoms can be caused by an ovarian cyst? Is it possible to confuse a cyst with pregnancy? I took only 1 pregnancy test - it was positive. (Evgenia, 29 years old)

Hello, Evgenia. A cyst and pregnancy can indeed be confused based on clinical signs. The test can be positive even in the absence of pregnancy for many reasons: taking certain medications, the presence of tumors, an unsuccessful recent abortion, an expired test, etc. Do the test again, or better yet, do an ultrasound and donate blood for hCG. These 2 diagnostic methods will allow you to be 100% sure whether it is pregnancy or a cystic formation.

Ovarian cyst after IVF

A cyst discovered before preparation for in vitro fertilization is a contraindication to this procedure, with the exception of polycystic ovaries and small functional cysts (follicular or corpus luteum). After all, no one can predict what will happen to the tumor many months in advance, and therefore the risks are too great.

After treatment or removal of a cystic formation, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are resorted to only 2-3 months later, after repeated examinations. The success of IVF after ovarian surgery largely depends on the scope of the intervention and the functional reserve of the gonads.

If fertilization has occurred with the help of assisted reproductive technologies, and after some time a cyst has formed on the ovary, it is dealt with in the same way as when a pathology is detected during a normal pregnancy - it is observed and, if necessary, surgically removed.

Good afternoon. I got pregnant, I'm already 11 weeks pregnant. But here’s the problem: an ultrasound revealed a 2 cm corpus luteum cyst. Is it very scary when pregnancy is complicated by such a diagnosis? (Polina, 36 years old)

Good afternoon, Polina. Of course, pregnancy and a cyst at the same time are not very good. But you don't have to worry. With a 99% probability, a small corpus luteum cyst does not affect the course of pregnancy and goes away on its own before 18 weeks of gestation. In addition, it is not dangerous either for the baby or for your health.

How often do you visit a gynecologist (not during pregnancy)?

Please choose 1 correct answer

Once a year

Total score

I don't remember the last time I was

Total score

Semiannually

Total score

Every 2-3 months or more often

Total score

Once every 3 years or less

Total score

Once every 2 years

Total score

Is it worth removing an ovarian cyst during pregnancy?

If a cyst is detected while carrying a baby, a woman must undergo the following tests:

  • bimanual examination on a gynecological chair;
  • vaginal smear for infection, tank. sowing if necessary;
  • (to exclude a malignant process);
  • blood test for ovarian tumor markers: CA 125, HE-4, ROMA index. However, it should be borne in mind that in expectant mothers these indicators may change due to changes in the body, and therefore they are unreliable.

After the examinations, doctors decide whether it is worth observing the tumor formation, or whether it is necessary to urgently get rid of it. Indications for a visit to the surgeon are:

  1. A malignant tumor, or the risk of the cyst becoming malignant is too high (for example, with cystadenomas). In addition, if such a tumor is discovered before 12 weeks of pregnancy, the best solution is to have an abortion, cut out the cyst and only try to get pregnant again after 3-4 months.
  2. Growth of education. The vast majority of gonadal cysts do not grow during pregnancy, but the opposite happens - the tumor can increase in size rapidly or slowly. Doctors assess the health risks of the expectant mother and baby, and if they are high, they perform surgery, but not earlier than after 16-17 weeks of gestation.
  3. Complications: suppuration. As a rule, there are no serious complications (and the cyst itself does not manifest itself clinically) if the formation on the gonad is small (less than 3-4 cm in diameter). If a complication occurs, the woman is urgently taken to the surgical department and an urgent operation is performed. Unfortunately, such stress on the body often leads to miscarriages (at a short gestation period) and premature birth.
  4. The size of the formation is more than 8 cm.

Surgery for pregnant women is always performed using laparoscopy under general anesthesia. The ideal time for surgery is the second trimester of pregnancy (14-26 weeks), when all organs and systems of the fetus are already formed, and the uterus is not so large as to significantly impede access to the necessary tissues. However, for health reasons, surgery can be performed at any stage of gestation.

At the beginning of the operation, the surgeon makes 3 small incisions on the anterior abdominal wall (the central one is made 2 cm above the navel), through which instruments are inserted: an optical device and trocars for operating instruments. Gas is injected into the abdominal cavity (during pregnancy, pressure readings should be lower and equal to approximately 12 mm Hg, whereas with standard laparoscopic surgery this figure reaches 45-50 mm Hg).

The surgeon sees everything that is happening on the big screen, and with the help of instruments he gets rid of the cyst as quickly as possible - he peels it out within healthy tissue, and then stitches it up. After removal of the cyst (through a trocar), the macroscopic specimen is sent for histological examination.

At the end, the doctor sanitizes the abdominal cavity. In most cases, drainage is not left and punctures on the abdomen are tightly sutured.

After surgery, patients usually get up on the second day. In the absence of complications and threats to the life of the mother and fetus, the woman is discharged from the hospital for 3-4 days. Sutures are removed approximately a week after the procedure. During the postoperative period, the pregnant woman is prescribed medications designed to reduce discomfort, restore the body's defenses after the stress experienced and maintain the pregnancy. An ultrasound is mandatory.

Pregnant women should not be too afraid of ovarian surgery during their “interesting situation.” No doctor will send a woman to the surgeon’s table unless there are good reasons for it. In addition, with modern equipment and the skill of surgeons, the likelihood of carrying a pregnancy to term and giving birth to a healthy baby remains very high.

Hello. I was diagnosed with a corpus luteum cyst on my left ovary, 3 cm in diameter. At the same time, I am pregnant - 13 weeks. What can I take to make the cyst resolve? (Lyudmila, 20 years old)

Hello, Lyudmila. A corpus luteum cyst, especially a small one, of course, although it is in some way a pathological process, still with a high degree of probability will not affect the pregnancy of the baby and will soon disappear on its own. There is no need to take anything, much less without permission - many drugs are not compatible with pregnancy and will cause harm.

Ask a free question to a doctor

Ovarian cyst is a fairly common diagnosis among women of reproductive age. This pathology often occurs during pregnancy. Is it possible to get pregnant with an ovarian cyst and how to treat the disease during an “interesting” situation?

Ovarian cyst and pregnancy

An ovarian cyst is a formation with a smooth surface, similar to a bubble, filled with fluid. Most often, women are not aware of the presence of a foreign “cavity” on the ovaries, since the pathology is asymptomatic. An exception is the rupture of an ovarian cyst during pregnancy, rapid tumor growth, or torsion of the cystic pedicle.

Cysts are divided into the following types:

  • functional;
  • dermoid;
  • endometriotic;
  • paraovarian.

A functional (follicular or retention) cyst is a tumor-like formation and is formed as a result of a violation of the ovulation process. This is a follicle filled with fluid that has released a mature egg. A functional ovarian cyst during pregnancy up to 4-5 cm in size does not show itself in any way and rarely causes discomfort or pain.

Important! Cystic ovary during pregnancy is not dangerous for the fetus, but the pathology requires monitoring over time. Formations of this type do not prevent conception, that is, with a functional ovarian cyst you can get pregnant.

An ovarian dermoid cyst during pregnancy is also not dangerous for the child. It is a formation filled with “liquid fat” from tissues of various origins. The tumor can appear during puberty in a teenage girl and slowly develop over the years. The main reason for the sharp growth of this type of cyst is the hormonal changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy.

Important! If the tumor-like formation becomes inflamed or greatly increases in size, it is removed without waiting for delivery.

An endometriotic cyst is the most dangerous for conception. Answer to the question: “Is it possible to get pregnant if you have an endometriotic type ovarian cyst?” - most often negative. A cyst is a cavity formation filled with menstrual blood. Endometriotic cysts are treated conservatively and surgically (laparoscopy). Often the presence of a cyst in the ovary does not reveal itself, but its presence is easily diagnosed during examination by a gynecologist. Therefore, when planning a pregnancy, it is recommended to undergo a medical examination in advance.

Note. In rare cases, women manage to become pregnant with endometriosis, but how an ovarian cyst will affect the ongoing pregnancy is not completely known.

A paraovarian cyst up to 5 cm in size does not affect the course of pregnancy in any way. If the capsule sharply increases in size, then the patient in position needs urgent treatment. If doctors have diagnosed the disease before conception, they recommend removing the cyst.

Note. Most often, a paraovarian cyst is diagnosed after pregnancy.

Symptoms of an ovarian cyst

In most cases, an ovarian cyst does not bother the patient in any way; during pregnancy, the capsule may also not cause pain or discomfort to the expectant mother. But the pathology is not always asymptomatic. Common signs of the disease:

  • a feeling of heaviness, pressure, or “fullness” in the pelvic area;
  • pain during sexual intercourse;
  • dull pain in the lower abdomen;
  • irregular menstruation;
  • frequent urge to urinate, etc.

Other clinical manifestations of a benign formation are also possible - fever, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, weight loss or gain, etc.

Typically, an ovarian cyst during early pregnancy is detected after a gynecological examination or ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity.

Treatment methods

Ovarian cysts are treated in two ways:

  1. Conservative therapy. Uncomplicated tumor formations are treated with drugs. Additionally, ascorbic acid and vitamins K, A, E, etc. are prescribed.
  2. Surgery. Surgery to remove an ovarian cyst during pregnancy is not always performed; it all depends on the type of tumor, individual characteristics and condition of the patient. In most cases, cysts are surgically treated in advance, before planning a pregnancy. Laparoscopy is an effective and safe method of surgical treatment of endometroid and dermatoid cystic formations.

When preparing for pregnancy, and even more so after learning about it, a woman usually undergoes a comprehensive medical examination. During it, various pathologies and changes can be detected that do not manifest themselves, but, left unattended, can harm both the expectant mother and the fetus. One of these pathologies is an ovarian cyst.

Why do ovarian cysts form during pregnancy?

An ovarian cyst is a pathological tumor-like benign formation, which is a pedunculated cavity filled with fluid and capable of growth due to the accumulation of secretions. It is formed from the follicle, endometrium and other tissues; it can occur in any of the ovaries; its size varies from a few millimeters to twenty centimeters. An ovarian cyst is a very common formation, with a wide range of causes and consequences - some types of cysts are asymptomatic and resolve on their own, some cause severe pain and require surgical intervention.

The exact and unambiguous causes of ovarian cysts during pregnancy are unknown, but there are several factors that contribute to the development of this pathology:

  • problems with hormonal levels;
  • genetic predisposition of the body;
  • eating disorders;
  • inflammatory processes in the reproductive organs;
  • long-term use of oral contraceptives;
  • disorders of the monthly cycle;
  • abortions;
  • infection entering the body;
  • chronic stress.

During pregnancy, a woman's hormonal background is rearranged, a stress factor appears, eating behavior changes - in other words, factors that increase the chance of an ovarian cyst increase.

Types of cysts

There are several types of this neoplasm. Depending on the type of cyst, its danger to a pregnant woman and treatment methods vary. Follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts are functional cysts - capable of self-resorption. Endometriotic, paraovarian and dermoid cysts are not prone to this.

Endometrioid

This type of cyst gets its name from the endometrium, the inner layer of the uterus. When the reproductive organs are infected or there is a genetic predisposition, endometrial cells and blood clots released during menstruation penetrate into the internal cavity of the uterus, forming a cyst. It can “grow” on one of the ovaries or affect both.

Paraovarian

As a result of any reasons (infections, inflammatory processes, hormonal imbalance, poor environment, drug abuse and much more), a cavity filled with fluid is formed in the appendages - a paraovarian cyst. Usually it does not manifest itself in any way and does not bother the pregnant woman.

Dermoid

The strangest type of cyst. It consists, unlike others, not of liquid, but of the epidermis, dermis, hair follicles, sebaceous glands and hair. The reason for its formation is a violation of intrauterine development of the fetus, a congenital defect. This type of cyst occurs in a woman at the stage of her embryonic development.

Follicular

A follicular cyst usually occurs when the ovulation process is disrupted. During normal ovulation, the dominant follicle bursts, releasing the egg. If this does not happen, then liquid may begin to accumulate in this enclosed space. There is no pathological proliferation of cells; the size of the cyst increases only due to the accumulation of fluid and stretching of its walls.

Otherwise called a luteal cyst. It also occurs when the ovulation process is disrupted. After the release of the egg from the dominant follicle, a temporary gland remains in its place, called the corpus luteum because of its color. When pregnancy occurs, the gland functions for several more months, subsequently being replaced by the placenta, otherwise it regresses and resolves. If regression of the corpus luteum does not occur for any reason, due to poor circulation, serous or bloody fluid accumulates in it, degenerating it into a cyst.

Photo gallery: types of ovarian cysts

Occurs if the dominant follicle has not burst Formed as a result of a violation of the ovulation process Location - a cavity in the appendages Usually occurs as a result of endometriosis Unlike the others, it is filled not with liquid, but with hair, teeth, skin, etc.

Symptoms of education

In most cases, an ovarian cyst does not manifest its existence in any way, being a physiological formation and not dangerous. Often, a woman learns about her new “organ” only during an examination by a gynecologist during an ultrasound examination. The presence of a cyst can also be suspected by pain and symptoms characteristic of diseases or changes in the pelvic organs:

  • pain in the lower abdomen - may indicate complications;
  • enlargement and/or asymmetry of the abdomen - caused by the growth of a cyst;
  • compression of organs and blood vessels - a growing cyst moves and presses neighboring organs;
  • menstrual irregularities - caused by an imbalance of the hormonal system;
  • frequent trips to the toilet - frequent urination or flatulence.

Diagnostics

If a pregnant woman experiences any of the symptoms of an ovarian cyst, she should contact an obstetrician-gynecologist. The following studies are used for diagnosis:

  • manual examination - palpation in the area of ​​the appendages to determine the approximate location and possible size of the cyst;
  • ultrasound examination - to localize the location of the growth, clarify its size and shape;
  • computed tomography - to determine the type of cyst and method of attachment;
  • diagnostic laparoscopy - to clarify the type and size of the cyst.

Why is a cyst dangerous during pregnancy? Is it possible to get pregnant with a cyst?

As already mentioned, most cases of functional cysts are not dangerous and resolve on their own, without outside intervention. An endometriotic cyst requires increased attention and, if necessary, surgical treatment. But even functional cysts can lead to complications, so they should be under constant medical supervision.

Leg torsion

A cyst is a sac of fluid attached to the ovary using a “leg”. If this “leg” is long enough, so-called torsion of the leg can occur - as a result of physical activity, the cyst moves and rotates. The vessels in the pedicle that supply the neoplasm with blood are partially or completely compressed. The tissues of the cyst stop receiving nutrition and die, which leads to the appearance of a focus of inflammation. Symptoms of this complication:

  • sharp, “dagger” pain in the lower abdomen;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • high (more than 39 C) temperature;
  • contraction of the abdominal muscles.

Leg torsion requires urgent medical intervention.

Ovarian cyst rupture

Cyst rupture can be a consequence of pedicle torsion or an independent complication. The cyst increases in size due to the fluid filling it, as a result of which the walls of the cyst stretch and become thinner. Increased physical activity, abdominal trauma, critically thin walls - all this can lead to rupture of an ovarian cyst. This is accompanied by internal bleeding and leakage of the cyst contents into the abdominal cavity. Symptoms:

  • a sharp drop in blood pressure;
  • dizziness and/or loss of consciousness;
  • increased thirst;
  • increased heart rate;
  • paleness of the skin.

If a cyst ruptures, emergency medical attention is required.

Is it possible to get pregnant with an ovarian cyst?

The effect of a cyst on a woman’s reproductive health depends on its type and size.

An endometrioid cyst requires treatment and reduces the chance of pregnancy to almost zero. This type of cyst usually occurs against the background of endometriosis, a serious disease that causes the formation of adhesions in the abdominal cavity, narrowing of the lumen of the fallopian tubes and rejection of the fetus due to pathological changes in the structure of the uterine wall. In addition, the appearance of a cyst interferes with the growth of follicles and the appearance of an egg.

A follicular cyst clearly prevents pregnancy from occurring in the ovary in which it arose, since when it occurs, the egg does not release. However, it usually does not require treatment and goes away on its own, so its appearance is not at all a death sentence for conception.

A corpus luteum cyst does not prevent pregnancy, but can become dangerous if it grows to a critical (more than 3 centimeters) size.

How is an ovarian cyst treated during pregnancy?

If you suspect an ovarian cyst, the expectant mother should consult a doctor and undergo diagnostics. To determine further actions and, if the situation requires it, treatment tactics, you should know the type of cyst and its size.

Waiting tactics

In most cases, doctors prefer not to touch tumors on the ovary in pregnant women, since they themselves do not pose a danger, and the consequences of the operation can be quite unpleasant. They try to minimize surgical interventions in the body of a woman carrying a child, and especially not to touch the reproductive organs themselves unless absolutely necessary.

If an ovarian cyst does not bother a woman, does not tend to grow, and there is no risk of rupture, then treatment tactics boil down to passive monitoring of her condition.

Laparoscopy of the ovaries during pregnancy

If the cyst threatens the health of the woman and child - it grows rapidly, has a critical size, causes severe pain to the pregnant woman, torsion of the leg occurs, rupture or necrosis of the cyst - then an operation is performed to remove it. Typically, surgery occurs between 14 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. Laparoscopy is performed under inhalation general anesthesia. Usually three small (from 2 to 5 centimeters) punctures are made - in the umbilical region and in the areas of projection of the appendages. This reduces pain and allows you to do without strong narcotic analgesics, and also speeds up the recovery of the expectant mother after surgery.

Ovarian cyst and childbirth

If by the end of pregnancy the ovarian cyst has still not been removed and has not regressed, then the doctor raises the question of choosing a method of delivery. In most cases, during childbirth, the tumor bursts and leaves the body. In this case, after childbirth, the woman receives special therapy aimed at stopping the inflammatory process and normalizing hormonal levels. If the cyst has not burst, it is removed by surgery.

In the case of a particularly large cyst or its condition requiring surgical intervention, the doctor may send the woman for a caesarean section. In this case, the cyst is removed during surgery.

Prevention

  • physical activity;
  • rejection of bad habits;
  • properly selected contraception as a guarantee of the absence of abortions;
  • taking hormonal medications only on the recommendation of a doctor;
  • timely and adequate treatment of any diseases of the reproductive organs;
  • proper nutrition with sufficient amounts of essential vitamins and microelements;
  • minimizing stress factors;
  • examination by a gynecologist and passing the necessary tests at least twice a year.

Reviews about cysts during pregnancy

I had a dermoid ovarian cyst, I knew about it before, but I didn’t have time to remove it before B. During B., the cyst grew 2 times (it was 3 cm in diameter, now it is 6). I removed it after a year and 4 months. after childbirth. The cyst did not seem to have any effect on the course of B. and childbirth.

I'll be happy*

https://galya.ru/clubs/show.php?id=892063

They discovered a cyst on my left ovary. Then, during an ultrasound, and I had a lot of them during pregnancy, they said that it was a cyst of the corpus luteum and it would resolve over time, since pregnancy triggers metabolic processes, all sorts of bugs could appear and disappear. Then the ultrasound confirmed that the cyst resolved, and when they did the caesarean operation, the doctors made me happy and said, do you know that you have a cyst on your ovary?! And they cut it out for me at the same time! Just like that, the spirit of hares in one shot! And I gave birth to a child and the cyst was cut out.

https://forum.9months.ru/viewtopic.php?t=3921

in my case there were 2 cysts - a dermoid (2x3 cm) and a follicular one, the follicular one, as written above, resolved in the 2nd trimester, the dermoid is just being removed. My gynecologist suggested undergoing surgery during pregnancy, but thanks to the doctors at the Avtozavodskaya plant, they observed me and let me go. I gave birth myself, again thanks to the doctors at the 7th maternity hospital, they set me up to try on my own, they will always have time to do a caesarean procedure) On an ultrasound before the birth, the dermoid stretched - it became 1x7 cm and during pushing caused quite a bit of discomfort - they allowed me not to keep my left leg on the chair, the midwife stood on guard so that I don’t injure the doctor... In general, everything went well, now we are 1.4 years old, I’m waiting for the end of feeding so I can go for laparoscopy.

http://izhevsk.ru/forummessage/179/4238931.html

An ovarian cyst is not a death sentence either for the chance of conception or for an existing pregnancy. If, while expecting a child, a woman hears from the doctor “you have been diagnosed with a cyst,” this is just a reason to be more attentive to your health, monitor its condition and report any changes in well-being to the gynecologist. This pathology usually does not cause serious complications and is successfully treated.