Early Symptoms Judgment of Ovarian Cysts

Written by Xia Hu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 07, 2025
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The early symptoms of ovarian cysts include pain in the lower abdomen on one side, which is generally mild, persistent, and tolerable discomfort. However, this pain needs to be differentiated from other conditions. Since the pelvic area contains the uterus and ovaries, sometimes it is necessary to distinguish these symptoms from gastrointestinal diseases. For example, appendicitis often needs to be differentiated from cysts on the right side, as both can cause abdominal pain. However, appendicitis also includes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, and during examination, there is tenderness at McBurney's point, indicating appendicitis. On the other hand, the pain from an ovarian cyst is usually positioned slightly lower, and thus can often be differentiated through a gynecological examination.

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Can ovarian cysts cause infertility?

Women with ovarian chocolate cysts may experience effects on their reproductive function. When the cysts are small, they typically do not significantly impact fertility. However, as the cysts grow in size, they can compress the normal ovarian tissue, causing ovulatory disorders and leading to infertility. Additionally, certain types of ovarian cysts, such as chocolate cysts, can cause adhesions in the female pelvic area. For instance, they may result in abnormal fallopian tube function, leading to infertility due to tubal factors. These cysts may also alter the pelvic environment, making conception difficult. If the ovarian cysts are malignant or capable of secreting hormones, they can also affect normal ovulation, leading to infertility.

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Are ovarian cysts serious?

Ovarian tissue is very complex in composition. It is the site with the most types of primary tumors among all body organs. Different types of ovarian tumors exhibit significant differences in histological structure and biological behavior. Benign ovarian tumors are typically small, often asymptomatic, and are usually discovered incidentally during gynecological examinations. As cysts grow, one may experience abdominal bloating or feel a mass in the abdomen. During examination, abdominal distention can be observed, the mass is usually mobile, percussion shows a dull sound, and there is no shifting dullness. If the tumor is malignant, there are often no symptoms in the early stages; later stages mainly present with symptoms of abdominal bloating, abdominal masses, and gastrointestinal symptoms. If adhesions occur with surrounding tissues, symptoms of compression, such as abdominal pain, back pain, and leg pain may also appear. Therefore, ovarian tumors should be treated promptly once detected.

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How is ovarian cyst surgery performed?

Currently, in clinical practice for ovarian cyst surgery, options include open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. The choice of surgery type needs to be based on the extent of the patient's ovarian cyst, the patient's wishes, and the size of the surgical area, which are all factors that should be integrated into the decision-making process. Furthermore, the specific implementation of the surgery also needs to consider the patient's age, the nature of the ovarian cyst, and the patient's wishes. Options available include ovarian cystectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy. If the tumor is malignant, a more extensive surgical approach may be required.

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Do ovarian cysts require the removal of the ovary?

Generally, ovarian cysts do not require the removal of the ovary; the common practice is to perform a cystectomy, which involves peeling off the cyst from the ovary. After that, the situation of bleeding is assessed. If there is no significant bleeding on the surgical surface, suturing can be done, which preserves both the morphology and function of the ovary. Ovaries are crucial for females as they produce estrogen, progesterone, and also have the function of ovulation. Therefore, removing ovaries would reduce the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body and decrease ovulation functions, which is why ovary removal is generally not recommended. Typically, the impact of the cystectomy on these ovarian functions is minimal. Thus, recovery tends to be good, with minimal impact on daily life in terms of prognosis.

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Can you get pregnant with ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts are generally physiological and may affect pregnancy, as physiological ovarian cysts secrete hormones. At this time, there may be abnormal hormone secretion, or the cyst itself may be caused by abnormal follicle development, mainly presenting as follicular cysts. Therefore, if there is a follicular cyst, there is generally no normal ovulation, so pregnancy will not occur. Ovarian cysts can be observed for 2 to 3 months; if they are physiological, they will disappear naturally. If the ovarian cyst has not decreased in size or has increased after 2 to 3 months, it indicates that it is an ovarian tumor, and surgery is required.