One in every thousand women could get affected by ovarian cysts during pregnancy. The following article provides information on the same, and their treatment options.
A cyst is a closed sac which is filled with air, fluid, or semi-solid material. Ovarian cysts are the cysts that are found on or within the ovary. In most of the cases, these are harmless and pose no major threat to the pregnant woman.
Ovarian cysts are often considered to be benign and in most cases, they go away on their own. Sometimes, however, the cysts may become very large or painful and might even break or rupture, leading to bleeding. The cysts may also sometimes be cancerous, leading to ovarian cancer, or they may obstruct the blood supply of the ovaries. In such scenarios, proper treatment is required to get rid of them, as they can pose a major threat to the affected woman.
This condition seldom produces any symptoms. That is why, most of the cases are detected accidentally, during pregnancy-related examinations. However, when these cysts are large, or have ruptured, the affected woman may experience symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.
Complex Ovarian Cysts While Pregnant
These are overgrown or ruptured cysts that can be very dangerous for a pregnant woman’s health. Firstly, overgrown cysts, i.e., cysts that are up to 8 cm in size, exert immense pressure on the bladder and the bowel of the woman. Secondly, cysts growing on the stem of the ovary can twist the stem, leading to intense pain in the lower abdomen. Sometimes, the pain can be so acute that it may lead to a miscarriage or may induce an early labor. Both these conditions can pose a major health problem to the woman, as well as her unborn child.
Treatment
First of all, it is very important to diagnose the actual cause of the cysts, and make sure that they do not pose a threat to the pregnant woman. This is accomplished by conducting various tests including ultrasounds, to confirm that there are no cancerous cysts. Doctors generally prescribe OTC medication, such as painkillers and anesthesia for pain relief. In case of non-pregnant women with ruptured cysts, the cysts are surgically removed by a procedure called cystectomy. Surgery is not resorted to in case of pregnant women with ruptured cysts due to the risk of complications. However, in cases where the cysts are larger than 8 cm, pregnant women could undergo a procedure called laparoscopy for the removal of the cysts. Very large cysts often require a large, open incision. Such a surgical procedure might be performed in the second trimester.
Having chamomile tea and applying hot compresses on the abdomen and the pelvic area, are a few home remedies that women can follow to get relief from the pain due to cysts. Pregnant women are recommended to include foods rich in vitamin A and vitamin B in their diet. Consuming parsley and tomatoes can also help reduce the pain and discomfort.
Ovarian cysts during pregnancy, is a harmless condition in about 95% of the cases; however, they can be fatal, if found to be malignant. In such a case, surgeries such as oophorectomy, salpingectomy, and hysterectomy are usually performed, depending upon the growth of the cancer.
Disclaimer: This HerHaleness article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
