Ovarian Cysts and Fertility

Ovaries are female glands located in the pelvic area, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries are of the shape of an almond and produce eggs and hormones. Female hormones are mainly produced in ovaries. Two of the main hormones that are secreted in the ovaries are estrogen and progesterone. There are many types of ovarian cysts. Let us discuss the relation between ovarian cysts and fertility.

Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are sac like structures on the ovaries, in which fluid collects. Ovarian cysts are among the common gynecological problems and there are many types of ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are very common and even if any woman has one, there are no serious symptoms that are observed. Many a times, a routine check up can reveal that you have an ovarian cyst. The good thing about ovarian cysts is that many of these cysts go away without any treatment. However, there are some common symptoms that are observed when the cyst becomes bigger. Let us first take a look at the symptoms of ovarian cysts.

• Abdominal pain and pressure
• Difficulty in urinating and pressure on the bladder
• Painful intercourse
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitive breasts

These are the symptoms of an ovarian cyst. Many a times, if the ovarian cysts are not very painful and big, they get cured on their own. No treatment is required to treat the ovarian cysts in that case. There are many types of ovarian cysts. There are certain types of ovarian cysts that affect fertility. Read more on ovarian cysts symptoms.

Ovarian Cysts and Fertility
Fertility of a woman is affected by ovarian cysts, if and only if, these cysts interfere in the process of ovulation. Otherwise, many ovarian cysts do not cause fertility problem. There are many types of ovarian cysts. Let us take a look at the effect of ovarian cysts on fertility.

Functional Cysts
Functional ovarian cysts is one of the most common type of ovarian cysts. It is also called as follicular cyst. This type of cyst develops each time the ovary produces an egg. The functional cyst is generally very small and ruptures during ovulation. After ovulation the functional cysts usually shrink after ovulation. Surgery is not required for curing functional cysts. Functional cysts do not affect the fertility of women.

Cystadenomas
Cystadenomas develop on the outer side of ovaries and they do not need treatment. This type of ovarian cyst always develops on the stalk of the ovaries and not inside the ovaries. Cystadenomas do not affect fertility in women. These ovarian cysts are benign and very rarely cancerous.

Dermoid Ovarian Cysts
Dermoid ovarian cysts contain tissues like hair or skin instead of fluid. Dermoid ovarian cysts do not affect fertility.

Polycystic Ovaries
Polycystic ovary syndrome is the ovarian cyst that causes infertility. They are small cysts in ovaries, developed due to hormonal imbalance caused during ovulation. In polycystic ovaries, there are multiple cysts developed in the ovaries. Apart from infertility, there are many other problems experienced by a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome. These problems are hair fall, obesity, acne and irregular menstrual cycle. Infertility is also one of the problem associated with polycystic ovaries.

Polycystic ovary syndrome decreases the number of times a women will ovulate in her lifetime. This affects the fertility to a great extent. The treatment that is recommended for this condition is usually a hormonal therapy from an endocrinologist. This ovarian cysts and fertility treatment involves hormones which help in inducing ovulation. Read more on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

This was all about ovarian cysts and fertility. Remember not all ovarian cysts cause infertility but do visit your gynecologist regularly.