Can Ovarian Cysts Cause Infertility?

Ovarian cysts are a typical occurrence during a person’s menstrual cycle. These are growths, but they do not present any symptoms when they develop. Ovarian cysts are not harmful, as well, they resolve on their own. This means that a person who has ovarian cysts might not even know that they are there.

Sometimes a person can have ovarian cysts developing frequently, as well, cysts may develop in large numbers. With this type of cyst development, it could be an underlying condition such as endometriosis, or polycystic ovarian syndrome which must be treated as they do not resolve on their own. This article will be addressing ovarian cysts, their formation as well as their treatment.

What Is an Ovarian Cyst?

During the follicular phase of a person’s menstrual cycle, the ovaries release antral follicles within which are oocytes. The oocytes develop into fully mature eggs, ready for fertilization. When one egg matures, it is released from within the antral follicle and it travels toward the uterus through the fallopian tube. 

The typical process from here is that the remaining oocytes will stop their development and the antral follicles will be reabsorbed into the body, while the egg may be fertilized. Sometimes, though, these antral follicles continue to grow and fill up with fluid. This is what ovarian cysts are. 

Types of Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts develop in different ways, and as such they are categorized into two: 

Functional Cysts

Functional cysts are the most common type of cysts. They are self-resolving and as such, they hardly present any symptoms. In fact, they are often discovered during a routine ultrasound. These cysts are of two types: 

1. Corpus luteum cysts develop from antral follicles that have released the egg within. After the egg is released, the antral follicle reseals itself and fills up with fluid. This follicle continues to develop and fluid continues to build up inside.    
2. Follicular cysts develop when the antral follicle continues to grow with the mature egg still inside it, never releasing the egg within. 

Non-Functional Cysts

Non-functional cysts can sometimes present symptoms and sometimes, they may not present any symptoms. When they do not present any symptoms, they are also typically harmless. However those that do present symptoms typically point to an underlying condition. Let us dig a little bit into non-functional cysts:

Cystadenomas

Cystadenomas are tumors, but they are benign, this means that they are not associated with cancer. They are filled with a clear fluid that has a consistency like mucus. While they do not cause any symptoms, they can cause complications. When they cause complications, the typical treatment is through surgery.   

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) 

PCOS is the formation of multiple cysts around the ovaries. They do have symptoms such as weight gain, excessive hair growth, acne, extreme tiredness, or even baldness. PCOS can also make it challenging for a person trying to become pregnant. There is treatment for PCOS, and it is done through prescription medications. 

Endometriomas

Endometriosis is what causes a person’s body to develop endometriomas. When a person has endometriosis, tissue similar to that found in the uterine lining forms in areas outside of the uterus. At times, this ‘stray’ tissue is found within cysts. Due to the coloration of the cysts, they are sometimes referred to as ‘chocolate cysts’. When these chocolate cysts form, it is an indication that additional complications have arisen due to the endometriosis. Endometriosis has been found to increase the likelihood of infertility. Endometriosis is usually treated with  medications or surgery.   

Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts

When an ovarian cyst grows large to the point it ruptures, it could cause spotting or vaginal bleeding. As well, bloating, and severe pain in the pelvic area or lower back could point to this. Although not all irregularities in a person’s menstrual cycle are caused by ovarian cysts, when a cycle is irregular, it could point to the presence of ovarian cysts. If a person experiences similar symptoms to the ones listed, and in addition, severe nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fever and heavy vaginal bleeding, they must seek emergency medical care at once, without delay. 

Treating Ovarian Cysts

The treatment of ovarian cysts is usually done after a period of observation. This is because they typically resolve on their own. Should they not resolve, then medical interventions will be applied. As well, investigations into what is causing them must be carried out before any treatment is administered. As such treating ovarian cysts is done on a case to case basis. 

Observation

As mentioned, the first course of action when dealing with ovarian cysts is to observe them to see if they will resolve on their own. This is done by doing regular ultrasounds on the patient’s uterus to see if the cysts are growing, multiplying, or resolving.

Hormonal Treatments

If after observation, the cysts are observed to be developing in large numbers and with regularity, the next step would be to apply hormone-based treatments. These treatments come in the form of oral contraceptives and other similar hormonal treatments which help to control ovulation.

Surgery

Surgical intervention is done when the cysts grow too large, become complicated, or cancerous. The typical surgery done for cysts that are not cancerous or particularly large is a laparoscopic surgery. Whereas very large or cancerous cysts are treated with open surgery.

Do Ovarian Cysts Cause Infertility?

Ovarian cysts tend to cause hormonal imbalances. When normal hormonal production is interfered with, it impacts regular ovulation. The presence of ovarian cysts also brings about discomfort during sexual intercourse. Consequently, ovarian cysts can lead to infertility. In particular, PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility globally. 

Seeking Expert Fertility Advice

Ovarian cysts are treated based on their size, location, and how much they have impacted normal hormone production. With proper treatment, a person can conceive and build their family. Once treatment is successful, the body may take some time to adjust back to its regular rhythm, therefore patience is required even as one tries to become pregnant.   

IVF With a Cyst

When a person has an ovarian cyst or cysts and they are undergoing IVF, typically a professional medical practitioner will recommend that the cyst or cysts be removed before proceeding with the fertility treatments. The removal of the cysts will improve the chances of success, particularly during ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval. 

In Summary

Ovarian cysts are typically harmless and resolve on their own without any medical intervention. When they are excessive, they can cause challenges in becoming pregnant. Therefore it is vital to get the correct diagnosis and treatment when one has ovarian cysts. This is necessary when one is trying to build their family. Contact our team at IVF Fertility Center if you think you could be developing ovarian cysts regularly. We offer compassionate care with professional service provision at locations across the country.