Can Ovarian Cysts Cause Infertility?

Ovarian cysts are growths that are found around ovaries which develop in the course of a menstrual cycle. These cysts usually resolve on their own without any symptoms or side effects. Sometimes these cysts can develop as a result of other conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome or endometriosis. When this is the case, they present symptoms and medical intervention is usually required to manage them. On their own, they are not an indicator of infertility, but if a person develops them frequently, and in large numbers, it could be a sign that some other underlying issue may exist. This article shall be explaining the formation of cysts, the different types, and symptoms caused by cysts, if any. 

What Is an Ovarian Cyst?

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops on the ovary. It can grow to different sizes, with most going away on their own unnoticed. However there are some that can grow large enough to have an impact on a person's daily life, or they can rapture, causing a disruption in a person’s routine. 

Types of Ovarian Cysts

Cysts develop in different ways, and have been grouped into two main categories; functional cysts and non-functional cysts. These groupings are based on the symptoms they cause, which call for different treatments to resolve or manage them. 

Functional Cysts

The first category of cysts are known as functional cysts. These are the most common type of cyst and usually resolve on their own. In fact, many times, they are discovered during a routine ultrasound because they do not present any symptoms. These cysts develop from antral follicles. Below are the two known types:

Corpus Luteum Cyst

Corpus luteum cysts develop during ovulation, after the egg is released from an antral follicle. The follicle reseals itself and continues to grow with fluid building up within it.  

Follicular Cyst

Whereas the corpus luteum cyst releases the egg within, follicular cysts form when the antral follicle does not release the egg within as it should, and continues to grow. 

Non-Functional Cysts

Non-functional cysts could either be harmless or their presence could be pointing to an underlying issue. As well, they can sometimes be asymptomatic, but also present symptoms when an underlying issue is present. There are three types of cysts in this category:

Cystadenomas

Cystadenomas are tumors that are typically filled with a mucus-like clear liquid. Although common, they are benign. As well, they do not present any symptoms, but they can cause complications. Their typical treatment is surgical intervention. 

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) 

PCOS is the development of multiple cysts around the ovaries. This type of cysts presents symptoms such as extreme tiredness, weight gain, acne, excessive hair growth or baldness, and they can also cause a person to have challenges in  conceiving.  The typical treatment for PCOS is using medications. 

Endometriomas

Endometriomas develop as a result of endometriosis. Due to their dark brown coloring, they are also referred to as ‘chocolate cysts’. When a person with endometriosis has endometriomas, it often means that additional complications have arisen due to the disease.  Studies have shown that when a person has endometriosis, they have a higher chance of experiencing infertility. The interventions for endometriosis are medical or surgical, depending on the medical circumstances of the patient.   

Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts

When ovarian cysts do present symptoms, it is as a result of rupturing when they have grown too large. Symptoms include menstrual cycle irregularities, vaginal bleeding or spotting, bloating, or sudden severe pain in the lower back or belly, occur when a cyst grows too large or ruptures. Some of these are bloating, a sudden sharp pain in the lower belly or back, irregularities in the menstrual cycle, and vaginal spotting or bleeding.

However, if the pain experienced is also accompanied by dizziness or feeling faint, heavy vaginal bleeding, fever or severe nausea and vomiting, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Treating Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are treated on a case by case basis. Sometimes, they are treated using medications, other times they are treated through surgery. At times, the solution is to observe them before proceeding with a medical intervention. We shall explain why this is so below:

Observation

A majority of healthcare practitioners will first observe the cysts to see how they are developing. As mentioned, ovarian cysts tend to resolve on their own, it is likely that they will resolve on their own without requiring any further medical intervention. Ultrasounds are used to monitor them regularly, which helps the early detection of potential issues that the cysts could cause.

Hormonal Treatments

Hormonal treatments are usually prescribed oral contraceptives or hormonal treatments which help to control ovulation. When ovulation is controlled in this way, it significantly reduces the likelihood of the formation of cysts.

Surgery

Surgical interventions are applied to complicated, cancerous or very large cysts. When the cysts are not cancerous, or small, a laparoscopic surgery is the typical treatment. However if they areWhen cysts are complex, very large or cancerous, they are removed using surgery. 

Do Ovarian Cysts Cause Infertility?

Cysts create hormonal imbalances that affect a person’s ovulation and they also prevent normal ovulation. As a result, a person may  have challenges becoming pregnant. Sometimes, their presence can cause a person to have pain or discomfort during intercourse. PCOS in particular has been found to be a leading cause of infertility worldwide. 

Seeking Expert Fertility Advice

Ovarian cysts can be managed through various medical interventions, and as such it is possible for a person who has been diagnosed with ovarian cysts to become pregnant. We must point out however that the location, size and the impact the cysts have had on a person’s hormones influences the likelihood of pregnancy. 

The right medical care is crucial in enabling women who have ovarian cysts to have successful pregnancies. As well, medical interventions have proven effective in the improvement of women’s fertility. That being said, if one has had ovarian cysts removed, they must be patient when trying to become pregnant to give the body time to regulate back to its normal cycle. 

IVF With a Cyst

As mentioned, ovarian cysts inhibit the ovary from releasing its eggs. When it comes to IVF, the presence of cysts can make the retrieval of the eggs challenging. Consequently, many professional healthcare providers recommend surgical removal of the cysts ahead before beginning treatment. 

In Summary

Although they are usually harmless, ovarian cysts can result in infertility. It is important to get the right medical care if you have ovarian cysts particularly if you want to build a family. If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cysts and would like to begin building your family, contact us for a consultation with a professional healthcare provider. Our team of experts will help you to figure out the best solutions for your specific circumstance.