Ovarian cyst (ICD-10 N83.0) is a benign neoplasm that looks like a special cavity filled with fluid. In fact, this is a fairly common disease that can occur both in the ovaries and in any other organ. More often, functional cysts initially form in a person, they can be asymptomatic and disappear over time. Although, if they form in the ovaries, there may be pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to the anus.
It is important to know: if a cyst begins to develop in an organ filled with blood vessels, an outflow into its cavity may occur and a hemorrhagic form may form. In most cases, tumors of this type form on the ovaries. If the disease develops more actively, immediate surgical treatment may be required.
In medical terms, a hemorrhagic cyst is a follicle (a capsule with a liquid) that has not burst. Normally, it should break during the 12-14th cycle of menstruation and release a mature egg. But if for some reason it does not burst, the size of the follicle increases quite quickly. Its cavity is filled with blood, which, when penetrated into the peritoneum, can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, consequences. Can I get pregnant with a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst? The answer to the question, as well as the symptoms of the disease, are described below.
Development reasons
The appearance of hemorrhagic cysts on the ovaries is usually associated with a pathological change in the hormonal background in a woman, for example, with weight loss, severe anorexia, or impaired functioning of the thyroid gland. In addition, the following factors provoking this disease are known:
- abortions, miscarriages;
- the onset of pregnancy;
- early menstruation;
- psycho-emotional disorders;
- genetic pathologies;
- prostration;
- frequent stress;
- prolonged use of certain hormonal drugs;
- ARVI, for the treatment of which antipyretics were used;
- some diseases of the genitourinary system, especially chronic;
- reproductive organs;
- age-related changes.
Such a cyst after some time without adequate treatment can degenerate into hemorrhagic, and this is influenced by such factors: prolonged hypothermia of the body, excessive physical exertion in the form of lifting and wearing heavy objects, improper treatment of viral infections.
There are cases in which this type of cyst was diagnosed in women who did not completely cure sexually transmitted infections and inflammations. The development of this type of disease can occur due to an existing formation, accompanied by a delay in menstruation and a change in the condition of hair and skin.
Symptoms of the disease
A neoplasm begins to form at the initial stage of the menstrual cycle and is a functional disease of the female body. Symptoms practically do not bother the patient, the state of health remains at the same level. Slight malaise can be attributed to fatigue or bad weather.
If a hemorrhagic cyst develops on the right side, a woman usually has rather serious complications, since the blood flow in this area is associated with the location of the peritoneal aorta. Because of this, blood fluid begins to circulate more actively than on the left side.
As a result, blood can enter the cyst cavity. It is noteworthy that in each patient the symptoms of this disease can vary significantly. If a very large amount of blood accumulates inside the cyst, there is a risk that at some point it may burst. With this outcome, the cyst increases significantly, and the pain becomes more pronounced and noticeable. The following symptoms also appear:
- soreness (dull, pulling, prolonged pains) in the lower abdomen, which can be removed with painkillers;
- anemia;
- increased soreness during menstruation;
- dizziness, headache, loss of consciousness;
- a significant increase in menstrual flow;
- fever, which is difficult to bring down;
- irregularity of the cycle;
- pressure reduction;
- frequent feeling of heaviness in the perineum;
- mucous discharge and uterine bleeding;
- in some cases, vomiting and nausea appear.
In certain cases, a woman's “pulling” sensations in the lower abdomen are “attributed” to stress, because the above symptoms usually occur, for example, after urination or during an intimate relationship.
Only the doctor is required to prescribe after identifying the symptoms treatment of ovarian cysts (left and right). Self-medication in this case can be fraught with consequences.
Diagnosis of the disease
Initially, a gynecologist must carefully examine the patient to establish a diagnosis. Usually, the patient has an increase and soreness of the uterine appendages, as well as abdominal pain. Feeling the fallopian tubes and ovaries through the abdominal wall will confirm the presence of this diagnosis.
In the study, it is important to conduct a gynecological ultrasound with transvaginal and transabdominal sensors, as well as dopplerography of the affected ovary. These methods will help determine the features of his blood circulation.
Often an examination of hemorrhagic ovarian cysts is performed on an MRI. It provides more information about the neoplasm.
The sonographic picture of a hemorrhagic cyst can be very different, it depends on the indicators of blood in the lumen of the cavity. Also, the neoplasm can be anechoic (with clear edges) or echogenic (with a denser structure). In general, a cyst can be multi-chamber, combined, homogeneous, or even be divided into certain boundaries between its contents.
Laboratory research
In addition, the gynecologist can prescribe laboratory tests: a blood test, tumor markers, hormonal status, as well as a test that will help exclude or confirm pregnancy.
If there is evidence, you can perform magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. It will also be effective to carry out diagnostic laparoscopy to determine its location and size, try to remove the hemorrhagic cyst and view its contents.
Therapy options
When treating hemorrhagic ovarian cysts without surgery, the patient needs to apply a cold compress to the lower abdominal cavity and lie more. The doctor usually prescribes treatment with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs, drugs that produce a resolving effect. But in the presence of complications and regression of the cyst, it is necessary to immediately perform one of the following types of surgical treatment.
Hulling cysts
If a woman is diagnosed with a small neoplasm and the absence of cancerous tumors, shepherding is usually prescribed.
This method of therapy is used in almost every case, since it makes it possible to maintain the normal functioning of the ovary and its intact tissues without affecting nearby healthy areas and without affecting reproductive function. This is especially important for girls who have not given birth.
Wedge resection
With the prolonged development of hemorrhagic cysts (more than 3 months), the doctor can detect during the examination on the ovaries altered tissues that arise as a result of compression of the growing neoplasm. Performing a wedge-shaped resection, the doctor can completely remove the cyst and all damaged fragments of the organ. Cutting is done in the form of a triangle, which is why the name of the surgical intervention went.
The functionality of the ovary is maximally preserved, and a woman can even become pregnant after a while. After the neoplasm is removed, the patient must perform certain histological studies to exclude the possibility of developing a malignant process.
Surgical removal of cysts and ovaries
It is noteworthy that this surgical intervention is performed very rarely, and women who are over 45 years old are completely removed when the reproductive function fades, as well as if several neoplasms are diagnosed at the same time or if there is a risk of rupture of the cyst.
With such a problem, in most cases a surgical operation is performed. If a woman has one ovary removed during the procedure, it is possible that after a while she will be able to bear the baby. During surgery, the patient also removes the fallopian tube during menopause.
Excision of hemorrhagic cysts is carried out using modern technologies using minimally invasive methods without blood loss, scars, sutures and complications, through small punctures.
Recovery period
Usually, the prognosis after removal of a cyst of this type is favorable. If the treatment is carried out correctly and on time, complications may be absent. About the second day after the intervention, the woman’s body begins to work in the same mode.
Healing after laparoscopy is done fairly quickly, but in order to prevent seams from diverging, doctors recommend not taking a hot bath for a while.
Some consequences and complications may occur if the tumor bursts and blood enters the abdomen. It is necessary to immediately pump out the blood fluid, as well as to carry out disinfectant and antiseptic measures. This will make it possible to prevent further inflammation.
What to do next?
In the future, the patient should be regularly examined by her doctor, and also take a course (about 2 months) of therapy with vitamin complexes, antibacterial drugs, the purpose of which is to restore the function of the ovaries as much as possible.
At this time, it is necessary to follow a special diet to tidy up the health after surgery and the liver after anesthesia. First of all, it is worth consuming foods that will be easy for the stomach, eat in small portions. To heal internal wounds faster, you need to consume fruits and vegetables with lots of vitamins.
What can not be done with hemorrhagic ovarian cyst?
First of all, you should not delay inspection by a gynecologist, as well as self-medicate. We examined the symptoms of ovarian cysts in women and the causes of its appearance. This is a rather dangerous disease for reproductive function. If the neoplasm ruptures, and fluid flows out of it, the patient may develop peritonitis. But, as noted above, the symptoms of an ovarian cyst of this type are characteristic, it is difficult not to notice them, so the further development of the disease will depend solely on the woman.
The main task of the gynecologist is to diagnose the onset of the formation of a hemorrhagic cyst as early as possible and, during its development, perform effective treatment so that the patient can become pregnant and give birth to a healthy baby in the future!