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3.5 Minute

25-07-2024 Team Medicover fertility

Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Akhila Lalam, Gynecologist

How To Conceive With Ovarian Cysts?

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that naturally develop on or within the ovaries during the reproductive cycle. While most cysts are harmless and resolve independently, some types can complicate fertility. Women must grasp the variety of ovarian cysts and their potential impact on conception.

In this article, we discuss types of ovarian cysts, how they affect fertility, and tips for conception while managing them. Understanding these details can help women make informed choices about their reproductive health.

How Can You Conceive with Ovarian Cysts?

Ovarian cysts can affect fertility, but there are steps you can take to improve your chances of conceiving:

Maintain Good Health and Lifestyle
- Maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise.
- Manage stress levels to support reproductive health.
Understanding Ovarian Cysts and Fertility
- The types of cysts can vary in their impact on fertility.
- Removal of cysts can increase the chances of pregnancy success.
Monitoring Fertility
- Use an ovulation calculator to track fertile days.
- Regularly check your menstrual cycle for irregularities.
Consulting a Healthcare Provider
- Discuss fertility concerns with a healthcare provider.
- Consider treatments or interventions if cysts affect fertility.
Optimizing Conception
- Time intercourse during ovulation for higher chances of pregnancy.
- Stay informed about fertility health and related conditions.
- By staying proactive and informed, women can navigate fertility challenges posed by ovarian cysts more effectively.

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How Does An Ovarian Cyst Form?

Ovarian cysts develop as part of the natural menstrual cycle:

Follicle Development: Each month, the brain releases hormones that stimulate follicles in the ovary to grow, preparing for egg release
Egg Maturation: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) causes fluid to accumulate around the egg, enlarging the follicle.
Ovulation: Once mature, a surge of hormones triggers the ovary to release the egg. The remaining follicle becomes a cyst with lutein, a yellow pigment.
Cycle Phases: During the first two weeks, the follicular cyst houses the developing egg. The following two weeks involve the corpus luteum, which produces hormones to support a potential pregnancy.
Cyst Development: Occasionally, a cyst forms when fluid collects within a thin membrane in the ovary without an egg inside.
Monitoring and Treatment: Cysts larger than 5 centimeters may require regular check-ups or surgical removal if they continue to grow. Most cysts do not affect fertility, although some, like endometriomas, can interfere with conception.
Impact on Fertility: Functional cysts, dermoid cysts, and cystadenomas typically do not impair fertility. Conditions like polycystic ovaries, where multiple small cysts persist, can affect hormone balance and follicle maturation, potentially leading to infertility.

Impact of Ovarian Cysts on Fertility

Infertility Due to Cysts

Certain medications, such as birth control pills or hormone treatments, can prevent women from conceiving. These medications inhibit ovulation, making pregnancy unlikely.

Oral contraceptives are typically prescribed to women who are not planning to conceive soon. While some ovarian cysts, like functional cysts, dermoid cysts, and cystadenomas, do not impact fertility or ovarian function, others like endometriomas, can cause infertility.

Women with polycystic ovaries, where the ovaries produce many small cysts, may face hormonal imbalances and restricted follicle maturation. This can lead to infertility.

Follicular Cysts and Pregnancy

Functional cysts, such as follicular cysts or corpus luteum cysts, develop during the normal menstrual cycle and do not contribute to infertility. They support the necessary functions for fertility.

Chocolate Cysts and Pregnancy

Chocolate cysts, or endometriomas, contain old blood and can attach to the ovaries, potentially affecting ovarian function. These cysts can sometimes prevent the ovaries from functioning properly, making conception difficult.

Cysts That Don't Affect Fertility/Pregnancy

Some ovarian cysts may cause pain or bleeding, but do not impact fertility unless they grow significantly in size.

Functional Ovarian Cysts: These cysts, either follicular or luteal, develop during the menstrual cycle and usually dissolve without treatment. They do not cause infertility, but large cysts can lead to complications like ovarian torsion or pelvic infections, which may affect fertility.
Cystadenomas: Benign tumors that develop from the ovarian surface tissues. They require treatment, but do not impact fertility.
Dermoid Cysts: Benign tumors that contain various tissues like hair, teeth, and bone. They are harmless and do not cause infertility.
Hemorrhagic Cysts: Functional cysts that develop when bleeding occurs within the cyst. They do not interfere with fertility.
Para ovarian Cysts: Fluid-filled cysts near the fallopian tube and ovary. These cysts typically do not affect fertility but may require surgery if they grow large.

Cysts That Interfere With Fertility/Pregnancy

Two main types of cysts can significantly impact fertility: cysts resulting from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriomas caused by endometriosis.

Endometrioma

It is also known as an endometrial or chocolate cyst, this type forms when endometrial tissue grows in the ovaries. Endometriomas can cause chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Although not all women with endometriosis face fertility issues, large or ruptured cysts can lead to severe complications, including damage to the ovaries and fallopian tubes, potentially requiring surgery and leading to infertility.

By understanding the different types of ovarian cysts and their potential impact on fertility, women can better manage their reproductive health and seek appropriate treatment when necessary.

Cysts Resulting From PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that can create challenges for women trying to conceive. PCOS leads to hormonal imbalances, enlarged ovaries, and the development of small ovarian cysts. Symptoms of PCOS include:

Irregular periods
Excess hair growth
Acne
Insulin resistance
Obesity

These factors can hinder fertility by causing hormonal imbalances and restricting follicle maturation. Women with PCOS often struggle to become pregnant and face a higher risk of pregnancy complications. However, managing PCOS symptoms can improve the chances of conception and lead to a healthy pregnancy.

To increase the chances of conceiving with PCOS, consider the following steps:

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight can help regulate hormonal balance.
Healthy Eating: A balanced diet can improve overall health and support reproductive function.
Regular Exercise: Physical activity helps manage weight and reduces insulin resistance.
Monitor Ovulation: Keeping track of ovulation can help time intercourse for optimal fertility.

For some women, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough. In such cases, doctors may recommend:

Fertility Medications: These can stimulate ovulation.
Surgery: If medications are ineffective, surgery may be performed to remove tissue producing excess male hormones in the ovaries.

Women with PCOS should be aware of potential pregnancy complications, including:

Miscarriages
High blood pressure induced by pregnancy
Gestational diabetes
Premature birth

By managing symptoms and seeking medical advice, women with PCOS can increase their chances of a successful pregnancy and reduce the risk of complications. If you experience symptoms of PCOS, consult a doctor to discuss your options and develop a plan tailored to your needs.

Strategies to Improve Fertility with PCOS and Endometriomas

Women with conditions like polycystic ovaries (PCOS) and endometriomas often face fertility issues, but there are various ways to manage these conditions and improve the chances of conception. Here are some strategies and treatments:

Lifestyle Changes

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Reducing weight can help balance hormones and improve fertility.
Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet supports overall reproductive health.
Regular Exercise: Physical activity helps manage weight and reduce insulin resistance.

Medical Treatments

Medications: Fertility medications can stimulate ovulation.
Surgery: In cases of endometriomas, minor surgery to remove cysts can be effective.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): If other treatments fail, IVF can offer the best chance of conception. This involves stimulating the ovaries with hormonal injections, retrieving mature eggs, fertilizing them in a lab, and transferring the embryo to the uterus.

Doctor’s Suggestion on Ovarian Cysts - Dr. Lavi Sindhu

Dr. Lavi Sindhu, Clinical In Charge at Medicover Fertility, emphasizes:

PCOS Management: Focus on reducing symptoms and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Medications: Drugs can induce egg formation in each menstrual cycle. Timed intercourse or IUI is advised when a mature egg forms.
Resistant Cases: For patients resistant to oral drugs, IVF is recommended.

How Medicover Fertility Can Help?

Medicover Fertility specializes in helping couples with severe infertility issues. Their approach includes:

Advanced Fertility Treatments: Tailored solutions for different infertility complications.
Minimally Invasive Procedures: Cyst removal procedures are available, though they carry a risk of scar tissue.
IVF for PCOS: IVF is a safe and effective option for women with PCOS who struggle with hormonal imbalances.

Success Story Tina's Journey with PCOS

Tina (34) was diagnosed with PCOS at 17 and faced challenges conceiving. After trying naturally, she sought help from Medicover Fertility.

Initial Steps: Tina started with Ovulation Induction Therapy and saw an endocrinologist for weight management and a diet plan.
Challenges: Despite efforts, Tina's fertility issues persisted. She had an unsuccessful IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) cycle.
Breakthrough: Tina's first IVF cycle was cancelled due to low egg production, but the second cycle was successful.
Outcome: Thanks to Medicover Fertility, Tina now has beautiful twin boys.

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Why Choose Medicover Fertility?

International Standards: Adherence to the latest international fertility treatment methods.
Expert Team: Highly experienced and internationally certified doctors at their IVF centre in Delhi.

By following these strategies and seeking expert care, women pregnancy with ovarian cyst can improve their chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy.

Will ovarian torsion affect pregnancy?

Yes, if ovarian torsion damages or removes an ovary, fertility may be affected. Quick treatment can save the ovary and preserve fertility chances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many women can get pregnant with ovarian cysts, especially if they’re simple or functional and do not interfere with ovulation or hormone levels.

You can usually try 4–6 weeks after surgery, once you’ve healed. Always follow your doctor’s advice based on your specific health and recovery status.

Some cysts, like endometriomas or those from PCOS, can affect fertility. Simple cysts typically do not stop you from getting pregnant naturally.

It can improve fertility in women with ovarian cysts. But surgery may slightly reduce egg reserve if healthy ovarian tissue is also removed or damaged.

Yes, pregnancy is possible with large cysts, but they may need treatment if they disrupt ovulation, grow rapidly, or risk complications like torsion.

Most para-ovarian cysts are harmless and don’t affect fertility. Large or symptomatic ones may need removal, but usually don’t prevent pregnancy.

Success depends on the type of cyst and hormone levels. Functional cysts may not impact IUI, but complex or hormone-related ones might reduce success rates.

Have regular unprotected sex during ovulation, track your cycle, eat healthy, maintain weight, manage stress, and avoid smoking or alcohol for the best chances.

Yes, endometriotic cysts can cause scarring or adhesions that block the tubes. Simple cysts usually don’t affect or block fallopian tubes.

Yes, cysts like those in PCOS can form when ovulation doesn’t occur. These are called follicular or anovulatory cysts and can still impact the ovaries.