Many women worry about developing ovarian cysts during pregnancy, but contrary to popular belief, they pose no major health risks. In fact, they’re quite common among pregnant women. Additionally, there have been few recorded occasions when symptoms have interfered with normal pregnancy.
Out of every 1,000 pregnancies, 1 will result in an ovarian cyst. However, only 1 in 25,000 of those pregnancies will develop ovarian cancer. This means that most cysts are benign, or harmless. Benign cysts have thin walls and are filled with fluid that is not harmful. They will not pose any dangers unless they grow to a large size and rupture. Since the condition seldom impacts normal pregnancy, doctors usually just monitor the situation closely and wait for the cysts to disappear. Most cysts go away on their own within a short period of time.
A ruptured ovarian cyst is a serious health problem that can happen during pregnancy. Fortunately, there are ways to manage the symptoms and ease the pain. Anesthesia and other pain relievers are safe to use and can provide some relief, and the fluids from the burst cysts are not a source of infection. However, doctors must be vigilant for possible complications from early labor or delivery.
When cysts that grow on stems become twisted, causing excruciating pain, drastic action from doctors is required. Most of the time, they have to be surgically removed. Cysts 6 cm to 8 cm in size exert pressure on the other organs of the body, particularly the bladder and bowels. Cysts these large are also most likely to burst. To pre-empt rupture, doctors usually have them removed.
Many women experience ovarian cysts at some point in their lives, though they may not be aware of it since the symptoms seldom make themselves known. Some of the symptoms of an ovarian cyst can be very similar to those experienced during pregnancy. Before a diagnosis is made, doctors always want to rule out pregnancy. Most women who have ovarian cysts will never experience any negative effects or discomfort, but for some, the cysts can cause pain or other issues. If you think you may have an ovarian cyst, it’s important to talk to your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Pregnant women who experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and queasiness are usually examined more carefully by doctors to see if they have ovarian cysts. If the cysts are too large, they may need to be removed. In some cases, ovarian cysts are detected during pregnancy examinations.
There’s no need to worry if you’re pregnant and found to have ovarian cysts. Although your doctor will order an ultrasound and other tests for peace of mind, ovarian cysts during pregnancy are almost always benign. In the rare case that a cyst ruptures, there are effective treatments available to resolve the issue.
