Are oral contraceptives effective for treating ovarian cysts. How long do most ovarian cysts take to resolve on their own. What are the guidelines for managing ovarian cysts. When should ovarian cysts be surgically evaluated. How common are pathological ovarian cysts.

The Ineffectiveness of Oral Contraceptives in Treating Ovarian Cysts

Contrary to common practice, oral contraceptives have been found to be ineffective in treating ovarian cysts. This conclusion is based on a comprehensive review of eight randomized controlled trials involving both spontaneous and medically induced ovarian cysts. Despite their proven ability to suppress cyst development, oral contraceptives do not expedite the resolution of existing cysts.

Why are oral contraceptives ineffective for treating ovarian cysts? The answer lies in the nature of cyst formation and resolution. While oral contraceptives can prevent new cysts from forming, they do not have a significant impact on cysts that have already developed. This distinction is crucial for understanding the limitations of oral contraceptives in cyst treatment.

Natural Resolution of Ovarian Cysts: What to Expect

Most ovarian cysts resolve without intervention within two to three months. This natural resolution process is an important aspect of ovarian health. Understanding this timeline can help alleviate concerns and prevent unnecessary interventions.

Can the resolution time of ovarian cysts vary? Indeed, the resolution time can differ depending on various factors, including the size and type of the cyst. However, the general expectation is that functional cysts will resolve within 8 to 12 weeks.

Factors Influencing Cyst Resolution

• Size of the cyst
• Type of cyst (functional vs. pathological)
• Hormonal balance
• Overall health of the individual

Guidelines for Managing Ovarian Cysts: Current Recommendations

Current guidelines recommend expectant management for ovarian cysts smaller than 50 mm for up to three cycles. This approach aligns with the understanding that most functional cysts resolve on their own within a few months.

What specific steps should be taken in managing ovarian cysts? The recommended approach includes:

1. Regular monitoring through ultrasound
2. Avoiding the use of oral contraceptives for treatment
3. Considering surgical evaluation if the cyst persists beyond three cycles

Identifying Pathological Ovarian Cysts: When to Seek Further Evaluation

Ovarian cysts that do not resolve within two to three months are more likely to be pathological in nature. This persistence should prompt a referral for surgical evaluation to rule out more serious conditions.

How common are pathological ovarian cysts? While exact figures vary, studies suggest that a significant proportion of persistent cysts may be pathological. For instance, in a 2003 study of 62 women, 19 had persistent cysts, of which 13 were found to be various types of cystadenomas or endometriomas upon laparoscopic examination.

Types of Pathological Cysts Identified in Persistent Cases

• Serous cystadenomas
• Endometriomas
• Mucinous cystadenomas
• Mucinous cystadenofibromas

The Role of Oral Contraceptives in Ovarian Cyst Prevention

While oral contraceptives are not effective for treating existing cysts, they play a significant role in preventing their formation. Studies have shown that women taking oral contraceptives have a significantly lower risk of developing ovarian cysts compared to those not taking them.

How effective are oral contraceptives in preventing ovarian cysts? One study found that the relative risk of developing ovarian cysts was 0.22 (95% confidence interval, 0.13 to 0.39) for women taking an oral contraceptive compared to those not taking one. This represents a substantial reduction in risk.

Mechanisms of Cyst Prevention by Oral Contraceptives

• Suppression of ovulation
• Hormonal regulation
• Stabilization of menstrual cycles

Comparing Oral Contraceptives and Expectant Management for Ovarian Cysts

Multiple studies have compared the effectiveness of oral contraceptives to expectant management for ovarian cysts. Consistently, these studies found no statistically significant benefit of oral contraceptive use over expectant management in expediting cyst resolution.

What factors were considered in these comparative studies? The studies evaluated various aspects, including:

• Cyst size reduction
• Time to complete resolution
• Recurrence rates
• Need for surgical intervention

Medically Induced Ovarian Cysts: Special Considerations

Ovarian cysts can also occur as a result of medical interventions, particularly in fertility treatments. Three trials with a total of 288 participants evaluated the effectiveness of oral contraceptives for treating ovarian cysts in women whose ovulation was medically induced.

What methods are commonly used to induce ovulation in fertility treatments? The studies involved ovulation induction using:

• Clomiphene (Clomid)
• Human menopausal gonadotropin
• Human chorionic gonadotropin
• Combinations of these medications

Even in these cases of medically induced cysts, oral contraceptives showed no benefit over expectant management. This finding further supports the conclusion that oral contraceptives are not an effective treatment for ovarian cysts, regardless of their origin.

Understanding the Natural Cycle of Ovarian Cysts

To fully grasp the management of ovarian cysts, it’s essential to understand their natural cycle. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on or within the ovaries. They are a common occurrence in women of reproductive age and often form as part of the normal menstrual cycle.

What are the different types of ovarian cysts? The most common types include:

• Functional cysts (follicular and corpus luteum cysts)
• Dermoid cysts
• Endometriomas
• Cystadenomas

Functional cysts, which are the most common type, typically form during the menstrual cycle and resolve on their own within a few weeks to months. This natural resolution process is key to understanding why oral contraceptives are not necessary for treatment in most cases.

The Life Cycle of a Functional Ovarian Cyst

1. Formation during follicular development or after ovulation
2. Growth phase
3. Stabilization
4. Natural regression and reabsorption

Symptoms and Detection of Ovarian Cysts

Many ovarian cysts are asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally during routine pelvic examinations or imaging studies. However, some women may experience symptoms, particularly if the cyst is large or if complications occur.

What are the common symptoms of ovarian cysts? While many cysts are asymptomatic, possible symptoms include:

• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
• Painful intercourse
• Changes in menstrual patterns
• Difficulty urinating or frequent urination

Detection of ovarian cysts typically involves a combination of physical examination and imaging studies. Transvaginal ultrasound is the preferred method for visualizing and characterizing ovarian cysts, as it provides detailed images of the pelvic organs.

Diagnostic Methods for Ovarian Cysts

1. Pelvic examination
2. Transvaginal ultrasound
3. Abdominal ultrasound
4. CT scan or MRI (in select cases)
5. Blood tests (to check for tumor markers in suspected cases of malignancy)

Complications Associated with Ovarian Cysts

While most ovarian cysts are benign and resolve on their own, complications can occur in some cases. Understanding these potential complications is crucial for proper management and timely intervention when necessary.

What are the possible complications of ovarian cysts? Although rare, complications may include:

• Cyst rupture
• Ovarian torsion (twisting of the ovary)
• Infection
• Bleeding into the cyst
• Malignant transformation (very rare in functional cysts)

These complications often present with acute symptoms such as severe pelvic pain, fever, or signs of internal bleeding. In such cases, immediate medical attention is necessary, and surgical intervention may be required.

Alternative Approaches to Managing Ovarian Cysts

Given that oral contraceptives are not effective for treating existing ovarian cysts, it’s important to consider alternative management strategies. The primary approach, as supported by current guidelines, is expectant management with regular monitoring.

What does expectant management involve? This approach typically includes:

1. Regular follow-up appointments
2. Periodic ultrasound examinations
3. Monitoring for changes in symptoms
4. Pain management if necessary (usually with over-the-counter pain relievers)

In cases where cysts persist or cause significant symptoms, other treatment options may be considered. These can range from minimally invasive procedures to more extensive surgical interventions, depending on the nature and size of the cyst.

Treatment Options for Persistent or Symptomatic Cysts

• Laparoscopic cystectomy (removal of the cyst while preserving the ovary)
• Oophorectomy (removal of the affected ovary) in severe cases
• Aspiration of cyst fluid (in select cases, though recurrence is common)
• Hormonal treatments (in specific situations, such as endometriomas)

The Importance of Patient Education in Ovarian Cyst Management

Effective management of ovarian cysts relies heavily on patient education. Many women experience anxiety upon learning they have an ovarian cyst, often due to misconceptions about the condition. Providing clear, accurate information can help alleviate these concerns and promote appropriate care-seeking behaviors.

What key points should be included in patient education about ovarian cysts? Important aspects to cover include:

• The common and often benign nature of ovarian cysts
• The typical timeline for spontaneous resolution
• Signs and symptoms that warrant medical attention
• The limited role of oral contraceptives in treatment
• The importance of follow-up and adherence to monitoring plans

By empowering patients with knowledge, healthcare providers can help ensure appropriate management and reduce unnecessary interventions or anxiety. This education should be an ongoing process, with opportunities for patients to ask questions and clarify their understanding throughout their care.

Future Directions in Ovarian Cyst Research and Management

While current evidence clearly shows the ineffectiveness of oral contraceptives in treating ovarian cysts, ongoing research continues to explore new approaches to management and treatment. Future studies may focus on developing more targeted therapies or improving diagnostic techniques to better differentiate between benign and potentially malignant cysts.

What areas of research are promising for improving ovarian cyst management? Some potential avenues include:

• Advanced imaging techniques for more accurate characterization of cysts
• Biomarker studies to identify cysts at risk of malignant transformation
• Novel minimally invasive surgical techniques
• Exploration of the genetic factors influencing cyst formation and resolution

As our understanding of ovarian cysts continues to evolve, management strategies may be refined to provide more personalized and effective care. This ongoing research underscores the importance of staying informed about the latest developments in this field.

Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to Ovarian Cyst Management

In conclusion, the evidence clearly demonstrates that oral contraceptives are not an effective treatment for existing ovarian cysts, whether spontaneous or medically induced. The majority of ovarian cysts resolve naturally within two to three months, making expectant management the preferred approach in most cases.

Key takeaways for managing ovarian cysts include:

• Avoiding the use of oral contraceptives as a treatment for existing cysts
• Employing expectant management with regular monitoring for cysts smaller than 50 mm
• Considering surgical evaluation for cysts that persist beyond three cycles
• Recognizing that persistent cysts are more likely to be pathological in nature
• Understanding the role of oral contraceptives in preventing, rather than treating, ovarian cysts

By adopting this evidence-based approach, healthcare providers can ensure appropriate management of ovarian cysts, minimizing unnecessary interventions while promptly addressing potentially serious conditions. Patient education remains a crucial component of this strategy, empowering women to understand their condition and participate actively in their care.

Oral Contraceptives Are Not an Effective Treatment for Ovarian Cysts

DEAN A. SEEHUSEN, MD, MPH, AND J. SCOTT EARWOOD, MD, Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia

Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(9):623

Clinical Question

Are oral contraceptives an effective therapy for ovarian cysts?

Evidence-Based Answer

Oral contraceptives are not an effective treatment for ovarian cysts, whether the cysts are spontaneous or associated with medically induced ovulation. Most cysts resolve without intervention within two to three months. Those that do not resolve in this time frame are more likely to be pathologic in nature and should prompt referral for a surgical evaluation. (Strength of Recommendation: B, based on inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence.)

Practice Pointers

Oral contraceptives have long been known to be highly effective at suppressing the development of ovarian cysts. In one study, the relative risk of developing ovarian cysts was 0.22 (95% confidence interval, 0.13 to 0.39) for women taking an oral contraceptive compared with those not taking an oral contraceptive.¹ Although oral contraceptives are commonly used to treat ovarian cysts, the authors sought to clarify whether this is appropriate. Eight randomized controlled trials were included in this review. Although the studies were too heterogeneous to conduct meta-analyses for most questions, results from these studies were consistent enough to draw several conclusions.

Five trials looked at spontaneously occurring ovarian cysts, representing a combined total of 398 women. The largest study included 141 women, and four of the studies were conducted in Turkey. The oral contraceptives used in these studies contained ethinyl estradiol combined with desogestrel or levonorgestrel. Individually, none of the five trials found a statistically significant benefit of oral contraceptive use vs. expectant management in expediting resolution of cysts.

Three trials with a total of 288 participants evaluated the effectiveness of oral contraceptives for treating ovarian cysts in women whose ovulation was medically induced. In these studies, ovulation was induced with clomiphene (Clomid), human menopausal gonadotropin, human chorionic gonadotropin, or a combination of these medications. Eligibility criteria for these studies included the presence of an adnexal cyst that was at least 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter. Participants were randomized to monophasic oral contraceptives or expectant management. Problems with randomization, blinding, and sample size estimation were common to all three studies. No benefit of oral contraceptives over expectant management was observed in any trial.

A common finding in the studies included in this review was that ovarian cysts that were not resolving within two to three cycles were often pathologic in nature. For example, in a 2003 study of 62 women randomized to oral contraceptives or expectant management, 19 women had persistent cysts and subsequently underwent laparoscopy.² Six of the cysts were serous cystadenomas, four were endometriomas, two were mucinous cystadenomas, and one was a mucinous cystadenofibroma. The remaining six were follicular cysts. This reflects the general consensus that functional cysts typically resolve in eight to 12 weeks.³ These findings are also consistent with current guideline recommendations that ovarian cysts smaller than 50 mm be managed expectantly for up to three cycles and that oral contraceptives not be used for treatment.⁴

SOURCE:

These are summaries of reviews from the Cochrane Library.

This series is coordinated by Corey D. Fogleman, MD, assistant medical editor.

A collection of Cochrane for Clinicians published in AFP is available at https://www.aafp.org/afp/cochrane.

Ovarian cysts: No biggie, but birth control can help

Patients almost always have the same look on their face when we talk about ovarian cysts. It’s that look of, “OMG, I have a ticking time-bomb in my pelvis!” I worry that they imagine a giant green blob growing larger and larger inside them, like a Chia pet, that might one day suddenly explode.

The good news is that this imaginative view of an ovarian cyst is far worse than the reality. If you have ovaries, there’s a good chance you’ll have a cyst at some point or another, and a good chance you won’t even know it if you do.

But what do ovarian cysts have to do with birth control? Many hormonal contraceptive methods—like the pill, the patch, the ring, and the shot—affect the ovaries. These methods lead to fewer cysts, while other methods can cause more. Let’s start with a quick review of what’s going on “in there, down there.”

Ovulation 101

If you have a typical menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one ovary each month. The fancy name for the process is ovulation. To get the egg ready for release, a sac filled with fluid develops around it (fancy name = follicle). When a follicle grows larger than expected, it is called a functional cyst*. A cyst is basically a bubble—a collection of fluid with a thin wall around it.

Cysts 101

So what does “larger than expected” mean? Cysts are usually half an inch to one inch in size—pretty small. But since an ovary is usually about the size of an almond, a cyst may double the size of the ovary to which it’s attached. Most of the time, the body reabsorbs this fluid within a few months and we are none the wiser. Sometimes a cyst can cause symptoms, such as:

• Abdominal discomfort or bloating

• Pelvic pain that comes and goes, or is different from your usual menstrual cramps

• Pain during bowel movements

• Pain during sex

If your health care provider finds a cyst on your ovary during a pelvic exam or ultrasound, most of the time you can be reassured that it will disappear on its own. You may want to have a follow-up visit to make sure.

Less often, a cyst keeps growing and becomes a problem. It’s important to know the warning symptoms of a more serious cyst:

• Sudden and severe pain in your pelvis or lower abdomen

• Pain that comes with fever or vomiting

• Pain that causes dizziness or fainting

These are reasons to see your provider right away. Complications of ovarian cysts are rare, but if you have one with one of these symptoms, you could be experiencing ovarian torsion (when a large cyst causes the ovary to twist) or rupture (when the cyst opens and may cause bleeding).

Where does birth control come in?

One of the main ways hormonal birth control prevents pregnancy is by stopping ovulation—so the egg never leaves the carton, so to speak. The pill, the patch, the ring, and the shot are most reliable at blocking ovulation, so using these methods may mean fewer ovarian cysts. If you tend to get ovarian cysts, your provider may recommend one of these methods to prevent future cysts.

The progestin-only or mini-pill has an unpredictable effect on ovulation and may lead to more cysts. These almost always disappear on their own, but if you’ve had problems with cysts in the past, the mini-pill may not be the best contraception for you. (FYI, the mini-pill is not a common birth control choice: so few women in the U.S. use it, we can’t even get a reliable estimate.) Norplant, an old contraceptive implant that’s no longer available in the U.S., also had this side effect. Studies of the implant that’s currently on the market (Nexplanon) suggest that cysts are less of an issue.

Birth control has other benefits.

There are other ways birth control can contribute to ovarian health too. The pill reduces your risk of ovarian cancer by at least 40%—and the longer you use it, the more it helps! This is true even if you have a family history of ovarian cancer. And since the patch and the ring have the same combination of hormones as the combination pill, we expect they also protect against ovarian cancer. All hormonal methods, including the shot, the implant, and the hormonal IUD, also protect against endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining). So for all those years you don’t want to be pregnant, choosing a highly effective method of contraception can also be a smart move toward a healthier future.

* What if it’s not just a functional cyst? There are other types of cysts that can grow on the ovary. These often need additional medical attention, including surgical removal, but are far less common than functional cysts. Most of these are benign, meaning not cancerous, but some extremely rare ones are cancerous. If someone in your family had ovarian cancer, it is important to tell your provider.

Removal, treatment of ovarian cyst. Prevention

Whether an ovarian cyst needs to be removed or treated conservatively depends on the woman’s age, the type and size of the cyst, and the symptoms of the disease.

A gynecologist can offer the following treatment options for an ovarian cyst:

Ovarian cyst removal . A gynecologist may recommend removal of a cyst if it is large, does not match the signs of a functional cyst, grows in size, and does not go away within two or three menstrual cycles. If the cyst causes pain or any other symptoms, it can also be removed.

It is possible to remove the cyst without removing the ovary – husking the capsule of the ovarian cyst, as well as resection of the ovary, when part of the ovary is removed along with the cyst. A gynecologist-surgeon may suggest completely removing the affected ovary (oophorectomy) and leaving the healthy one intact. In some cases, removal of the ovary along with the fallopian tube (adnexectomy) is indicated. None of these operations deprive a woman of the opportunity to have children if she is of reproductive age. If at least one ovary is left, the body can continue to produce estrogen.

However, if the cystic formation is cancerous, removal of the uterus with fallopian tubes and ovaries from both sides is indicated. After menopause, the risk of developing a malignant cystic neoplasm increases. Most often, doctors prescribe surgery when a cystic formation develops in the ovaries after menopause.

Expectant management for ovarian cyst . If the woman is of reproductive age, the symptoms of the ovarian cyst are not pronounced, and the ultrasound showed that the cyst is filled with fluid, you can wait a while, and then re-examine after 1-3 months. The gynecologist will likely order periodic ultrasounds to see if the size of the cyst is changing.

In expectant management, the woman regularly undergoes pelvic ultrasound. This type of treatment is often given to postmenopausal women if the cyst is filled with fluid and is less than 2 cm in diameter.

Oral contraceptive therapy for ovarian cyst . A gynecologist may prescribe birth control pills to reduce the chance of a new cyst forming in subsequent menstrual cycles. The advantage of taking oral contraceptives is that the risk of developing ovarian cancer is significantly reduced – the longer a woman takes birth control pills, the lower the risk.

Prevention of ovarian cysts . Although there is no definite way to prevent the development of ovarian cysts, if you regularly undergo a gynecological examination, it will be easier to diagnose changes occurring in the ovaries in the early stages. In addition, it is important to watch for changes that occur during your menstrual cycle, including symptoms that accompany your period but are not typical for you or that recur over several cycles. You should tell your doctor about all problems related to menstruation.

You can get more detailed information about the treatment and prevention of ovarian cysts from the gynecologist of the Health 365 clinic in Yekaterinburg.

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Treatment and prevention of ovarian cysts in the medical center in Bor

When planning a pregnancy, women undergo various examinations, including ultrasound of the pelvic organs – the uterus and ovaries. In this case, the diagnosis is sometimes made “ ovarian cyst “. Can such cysts interfere with pregnancy and do they need to be treated or operated on to give birth to a healthy baby?

An ovarian cyst is a formation in the ovary, which is a bubble filled with fluid. The size of this formation can be different, which determines the symptoms of this disease. Small cysts are usually asymptomatic and are usually discovered incidentally during an ultrasound scan. Large ovarian cysts cause a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and even pain.

Ovarian cyst: causes

Normally, in every woman during the menstrual cycle, the dominant follicle matures in the ovary, from which the germ cell, the egg, comes out in the middle of the cycle. In place of the ruptured follicle, the so-called corpus luteum is formed – a formation with thick walls, which secretes the hormone progesterone into the blood, which contributes to the attachment of the fetal egg in the uterine cavity and its development until the placenta is formed. If the egg is not fertilized and pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum undergoes reverse development.

In violation of the maturation of follicles and ovulation processes, ovarian cysts can form. The mechanisms of their growth are very diverse. For example, if the follicle in the ovary reaches 20 mm in diameter, however, for some reason, ovulation (the release of the egg – the female germ cell from the ovary) does not occur, that is, the follicle does not burst, it continues to grow further, and the so-called ovarian follicular cyst is formed.

If ovulation occurs, but hormonal imbalances lead to excessive accumulation of fluid in the lumen of the corpus luteum, a corpus luteum cyst may form. Cysts can occur for no apparent reason, against the backdrop of climate change, a stressful situation, hormonal disorders in the body.

Ovarian cyst: symptoms and treatment

By their nature, ovarian cysts are functional and organic.

functional include follicular cysts and cysts of the corpus luteum, most often they spontaneously resolve within several menstrual cycles. If functional cysts are small in diameter, do not compress the surrounding organs and do not cause pain, they are usually not treated. With large sizes of cysts, hormonal treatment is carried out, most often hormonal contraceptives are prescribed, which normalize the hormonal background and promote the resorption of the cyst.

As a rule, functional cysts do not affect the course of pregnancy. When pregnancy occurs, they usually resolve before 16-19 weeks. In addition, at short stages of pregnancy, the doctor very often diagnoses the presence of a corpus luteum cyst, which contributes to gestation due to increased production of progesterone (pregnancy hormone). Such cysts decrease in size and resolve after the formation of the placenta, that is, after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Organic cysts are cysts that do not resolve on their own and most often require surgical treatment. These include endometrioid cysts, cystadenomas, dermoid and paraovarian cysts.

Endometrioid cysts are benign organic cysts, they are slow growing and easily treated with surgery. Inside them is the endometrial tissue of the inner lining of the uterine cavity, which changes monthly and is rejected during menstruation.

The endometrium is a hormone-dependent tissue, respectively, all the same processes take place inside the cyst as in the uterine cavity, that is, the endometrium grows in the first phase of the menstrual cycle, matures in the second phase and is shed with bleeding during menstruation. Due to these processes, there is a gradual increase in the diameter of the endometrioid cyst.

Most often, small endometrioid ovarian cysts are asymptomatic, and they are found incidentally on ultrasound.

Large cysts can cause pain that gets worse during menstruation. They are often bilateral and can reach considerable sizes. Endometrioid cysts have a small risk of degeneration into a malignant ovarian cyst, most often this occurs in women after 40 years of age.

The presence of endometrioid ovarian cysts may prevent pregnancy and is an indication for surgical treatment. First, the cyst is removed, and then hormonal therapy, since endometrioid cysts are prone to reappear. Most often, hormonal contraceptives and drugs that cause artificial menopause are prescribed. In the absence of hormonal stimulation, endometrioid cells die, which prevents the recurrence of the disease. Depending on the diameter and number of endometrioid cysts, the presence of foci of endometriosis on the fallopian tubes and internal tissues of the abdominal cavity, a drug is chosen.

Cystadenomas

This is a fairly common type of ovarian cysts, most often cystadenomas are unilateral small cysts. Depending on the contents, a serous cystadenoma is distinguished, inside which there is a clear liquid of a light straw color, and a mucinous cystadenoma, with thick mucus inside.

Cystadenomas are benign cysts, but they can become malignant, which determines the tactics of their treatment: surgical removal of the formation.

During pregnancy, cystadenomas can increase in size and cause persistent abdominal pain.

Dermoid cyst (mature teratoma)

This is a congenital ovarian tumor, which is a rounded formation in the ovary and contains elements of hair, skin, nails, and fat in its structure. Such cysts can be of different sizes – from a few centimeters to giant formations. However, most often they are small and therefore do not manifest themselves clinically. Small-sized dermoid cysts, as a rule, do not affect conception and pregnancy, however, since there is a small probability of malignant degeneration of teratomas, their treatment is surgical.

Paraovarian cysts

This is a fluid-filled formation that is located between the ligaments of the uterus next to the ovary. The paraovarian cyst is most often small and does not decrease over time or under the influence of drugs. However, it may increase. Most often this happens due to prolonged overheating, for example, if a woman likes to visit a sauna, abuses body wraps, often takes baths with water temperatures over 38 degrees C. Sunburn or in a solarium also contributes to the progression of the paraovarian cyst.

This type of formations with small sizes usually does not affect the course of pregnancy and does not require any treatment. With the active growth of the cyst, its surgical removal is indicated.

Can an ovarian cyst pose a danger to life and conception of a child?

There are cases when the follicular cyst or cyst of the corpus luteum bursts, and its contents are poured into the abdominal cavity. In this case, bleeding may begin, and, as a result, the need for hospitalization in a hospital. In addition, ovarian cyst torsion is possible, which is accompanied by severe abdominal pain and also requires hospital treatment.

During pregnancy, large ovarian cysts are a potential danger, since cyst rupture or torsion may occur, in which case surgery is indispensable.

In rare cases, the formation of multiple ovarian cysts causes infertility.

Diagnostics

The first stage in the diagnosis of cysts is an examination by a gynecologist in the chair, the doctor can detect a unilateral (less often bilateral) enlargement of the ovary, with large cysts, pain is sometimes noted during the examination.

For the diagnosis of ovarian cysts, an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs is widely used, which makes it possible to determine the type of cyst, since all the formations described above have their own distinctive features.

In some cases, for the correct diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct repeated ultrasound examinations during one or more menstrual cycles.
In case of controversial issues, the doctor may additionally recommend an MRI of the pelvic organs.

Treatment of cysts

Treatment of cysts is carried out in two ways – conservatively, that is, with the help of drugs, and operatively, that is, surgically.

Medical treatment

Ovarian cyst – without surgery treatment possible. Conservative therapy in this case is based on the use of hormonal drugs. For the purpose of treating cysts, hormonal contraceptives are widely used, but only a gynecologist can prescribe them.

Hormonal contraceptives are prescribed for the treatment of functional ovarian cysts and in the postoperative period after the removal of the remaining ovarian cysts to prevent their recurrence.

With endometrioid ovarian cysts in the postoperative period, hormonal agents that cause artificial menopause are usually used to prevent relapse.

Surgical treatment: laparoscopy of ovarian cyst

Operative treatment for functional cysts is required only in case of complications, such as cyst rupture or torsion. Organic cysts often require surgery.

Operations to remove ovarian cysts are performed by laparoscopic access (special instruments inserted into the abdomen through small incisions under the control of a video camera). After laparoscopy of an ovarian cyst complications are almost excluded. Laparoscopy is also possible during pregnancy, in case of complications from the ovarian cyst. Only with large cysts is it necessary to make an incision on the anterior abdominal wall.

A feature of ovarian surgery is the removal of a cyst or tumor within healthy tissues, that is, the ovarian tissue, which contains many follicles, must remain intact and intact, and the cyst, along with its capsule, is carefully “taken out” from the ovary. In rare cases, the so-called resection of the ovary is carried out, that is, the removal of part of it. If the size of the cysts is very large, then in some situations the ovarian tissue can hardly be found. In this case, the entire ovary is removed.

After surgical treatment with laparoscopic access, a woman recovers quickly, usually a week after the operation, she can already go to work.

Management of pregnancy . Pregnancy planning usually depends on the type of cyst. Most often, conception is recommended 3-6 months after surgery.

During pregnancy, ovarian cysts are monitored using ultrasound and Doppler studies – the study of blood flow in the ovary and in the cyst, the control of the tumor disease marker CA-125, the concentration of which increases sharply if the cyst degenerates into a malignant tumor.

If surgical treatment is necessary during pregnancy, it is safest to perform laparoscopy at 16-18 weeks.

Prophylaxis

To prevent the occurrence of cysts, timely diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases, as well as normalization of weight, are of great importance, since this will help to avoid hormonal disorders in a woman’s body.