Can Ovarian Cysts Cause Infertility?

Ovarian cysts are quite common to individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB), particularly in their reproductive years. They are prone to resolving on their own without causing any issues. 

Some cysts can point to disorders like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, causing an individual to seek medical intervention in order to manage or resolve these issues.

What Is an Ovarian Cyst?

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on the ovary. They develop in different sizes but do not typically have a negative impact on a person's fertility. Most times they go away without causing any symptoms, but there are times when they rapture or grow big enough to disrupt daily living. 

Types of Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts have been medically categorized into two, functional and non-functional cysts. Each type comes with a different set of symptoms and requires a different course of treatment. 

Functional Cysts

This is the most common type and usually resolves on its own, therefore one cannot always tell whether they have such a cyst without an ultrasound. 

This type of cyst forms under two conditions:

1. When the follicle in which an egg matures continues to grow after having released the egg. The follicle reseals itself and fluid builds up within it. This is called a corpus luteum cyst. 
2. When the follicle with the egg remains intact, continuing to grow and never releasing the egg within. This is called a follicular cyst. 

Non-Functional Cysts

Non-functional ovarian cysts also have two categories; benign or those that point to another issue. Non-functional ovarian cysts include: 

Endometriomas

Have a dark brown coloring, earning them the name “chocolate cysts”. These form when endometrial tissue forms outside of the uterus due to endometriosis, and their presence could also point to additional complications related to the disease.

A study released in 2010 found that people with endometriosis had a higher likelihood of being infertile. Although there is no cure for endometriosis, advancements in medical interventions have provided both surgical and medication-based treatments to help manage the symptoms.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) 

PCOS is a condition in which multiple cysts form on the ovaries. Its symptoms include acne, weight gain, extreme tiredness, excessive hair growth or even baldness, as well as difficulties in becoming pregnant.  

PCOS usually affects persons assigned female at birth (AFAB) in their reproductive years. About 20 percent of the AFAB population has PCOS. Often the cysts may not need to be removed as the symptoms are manageable with medication-based therapy.

Cystadenomas

These are another common type of cyst which are actually benign tumours. They are usually filled with a clear, mucus-like liquid, and do not normally present any symptoms. If complications owing to their presence arise, surgery is usually done to remove them. 

Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts

If a cyst grows too large or ruptures, it can cause symptoms such as bloating, menstrual irregularities, a sudden sharp pain in the lower belly or back, or vaginal spotting or bleeding.

If the pain is accompanied by feeling faint or dizzy, severe nausea and vomiting, fever or heavy vaginal bleeding, seek immediate emergency medical attention.

Treating Ovarian Cysts

There are different ways of managing ovarian cysts. The main ones are:

Monitoring

Healthcare professionals typically recommend waiting for a few months for the cyst to resolve on its own, because they are normally benign and asymptomatic. The cysts could also be monitored regularly using ultrasound examinations to mitigate the potential of any future issues. 

Hormonal Treatments

Hormonal treatments are used as preventive measures to regulate menstrual cycles and restrict ovulation to prevent cysts from forming in the first place. Typically, the treatments come in the form of oral contraceptives or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH). 

Surgery

Surgery is sometimes the only option when cysts grow too large or complex. Surgery is typically laparoscopic (non-invasive), when cysts are not cancerous and are small enough to be removed through the small incisions that are made in the abdomen to give access to surgical tools. However if the cysts are found to be cancerous or too large to be removed laparoscopically, an open surgery may be the solution. 

Do Ovarian Cysts Cause Infertility?

Typically, ovarian cysts do not cause infertility, but PCOS has been identified as a leading cause of infertility globally. Ovarian cysts have the potential of causing infertility by:

• Preventing ovulation
• Causing pain and discomfort  that makes having sexual intercourse difficult or impossible.
• Creating hormonal imbalances which in turn can affect ovulation. 

Seeking Expert Fertility Advice

Depending on the size and location of a person’s cysts, it is still possible to become pregnant.The right medical care can help women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cysts to have successful pregnancies. Medication and surgical treatments can improve fertility. 

It is important to note that after the removal of ovarian cysts it may take several months for fertility to normalize, and likelihood of getting pregnant typically depends on the size and location of the cyst, as well as any hormonal effects it may have had. 

IVF With a Cyst

If you are undergoing IVF treatments and have a cyst, removing it beforehand can improve the chances of success particularly if the cyst is preventing the ovary from releasing an egg. Further, the presence of could make the egg retrieval phase challenging. 

To Sum It Up

Although common, asymptomatic and benign, ovarian cysts could also cause infertility depending on their type. The right treatment is key in improving fertility and the chances of becoming pregnant. If you want to start a family, consult with a healthcare professional to address the issue of cysts. 

If you think that an ovarian cyst could be the cause of fertility issues, contact Reproductive Partners Medical Group to explore the different treatment options available to preserve and enhance your chances of becoming pregnant.