Ovarian cyst during pregnancy: Causes, management, and risks

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in or on your ovaries. They are somewhat common and can affect females both during and outside of pregnancy.

In most cases, an ovarian cyst during pregnancy is a corpus luteum cyst developed after an egg release. It’s often harmless and is called a “supportive cyst” because it produces progesterone, which is pivotal for sustaining early pregnancy. However, it’s also possible to develop other types of cysts in pregnancy, some of which may resolve on their own, and others may rupture or persist through your pregnancy.

While the cyst is in your ovaries, it’s common to experience mild, manageable symptoms, including:

• Bloating
• Pressure
• Pain

Symptoms can become more severe in the case of a rupture, which is why it’s important to monitor your condition and stay in touch with your healthcare provider.

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When you’re pregnant, it’s possible to face quite a few unexpected events that cause frustration and stress. One of such occurrences is learning that you have an ovarian cyst during pregnancy.

Although this might sound scary, the good news is that it’s not that uncommon and is often harmless!

In this article, we’ll talk about the likelihood, safety, and risks of having ovarian cysts during pregnancy. We’ll also tell you how to relieve ovarian cyst pain during pregnancy and answer other common questions that you might have.

Understanding Ovarian Cysts

In general, the term “ovarian cysts” refers to small sacs that develop in an ovary or on its surface. Cysts are typically filled with fluid and have the size and shape of an almond.

Although it can sound disturbing, ovarian cysts are rather common and can develop in absolutely healthy women of reproductive age. Most cysts grow as a result of your menstrual cycle. These are known as functional cysts, and they can form on two occasions:

• Follicular cysts – Every month, your ovaries grow small follicles where an egg matures and is released from. A follicular cyst forms when the follicle doesn't rupture and release the egg.
• Corpus luteum cysts – When ovulation occurs, sometimes the opening left after a follicle rupture gets blocked. This can cause fluid to build up in the corpus luteum, causing a cyst to form.

In both cases, functional cysts are usually considered harmless. They don’t interfere with your reproductive health and resolve on their own within several months.

When Ovarian Cysts Might Be a Cause for Concern

Although most ovarian cysts are harmless, their less common types can impact you more. This happens when cysts become twisted or rupture. Or when they overgrow on your ovaries. Examples of cysts not related to your normal cycle include:

• Dermoid cysts – Form from reproductive cells and can contain tissue.
• Cystadenomas – Form from cells on the ovarian surface, can grow very large, and can be filled with watery or mucous material.
• Endometrioma – Forms from a condition known as endometriosis; these can line the inside of the uterus and grow outside of it.
• Polycystic ovaries – Form from a condition known as PCOS; this condition implies a growth of multiple small cysts that can impact your hormonal balance and overall health.

These types of cysts can cause pain as they twist and burst. And they can also hinder your fertility.

What Is Ovarian Cyst During Pregnancy?

Now that you know more about ovarian cysts and their types, let’s talk about the growth of ovarian cyst during pregnancy.

While this can easily scare mothers-to-be, the truth is that ovarian cysts are common and often are a natural part of early pregnancy. A study of 1,312 live births found the incidence of cyst development in 1 in 400 pregnancies.

These are often called “supportive cysts,” though they are actually corpus luteum cysts. They form soon after follicle rupture (ovulation), when the corpus luteum forms. And these cysts actually support early pregnancy because they produce progesterone.

These cysts typically remain small and resolve by around week 12 without treatment. Respectively, they shouldn’t be a cause for concern. However, there is also a small chance of developing other types of cysts (e.g., follicular cysts, dermoid cysts, cystadenomas, and endometriomas) in early pregnancy. Most of them don’t interfere with pregnancy, though in some rare cases, there are some risks of complications if cysts grow large, twist, or rupture.

What Causes Ovarian Cyst During Pregnancy?

If we’re talking about supportive cysts, they are caused by the corpus luteum and resolve on their own. These are the most common types of cysts in pregnancy (especially in its early stages), and they are usually harmless.

Other types of cysts, such as endometriomas, follicular, and dermoid cysts, can appear due to other reasons. Commonly, they form due to hormonal shifts or underlying conditions, such as PCOS or endometriosis. Even in this case, an ovarian cyst during pregnancy usually either resolves itself or remains throughout the pregnancy. It can even grow. But there are no risks if it doesn’t grow too large, twist, or rupture.

When Can an Ovarian Cyst During Pregnancy Be Diagnosed?

If you happen to develop cysts on your ovaries during pregnancy, this rarely goes unnoticed. Most typically, a healthcare provider will detect it through normal prenatal care.

During the first pregnancy ultrasound, a doctor will carefully examine your reproductive organs, including the ovaries. An ultrasound will help locate cyst(s), if any, and identify their type and size.

Normal cysts under 5 cm are typically harmless. If they’re detected, most doctors will just recommend watchful waiting. They will continue monitoring your cysts using ultrasounds and MRIs to ensure that they don’t pose any risks.

Common Symptoms of Ovarian Cyst During Pregnancy

If you have cysts on your ovaries, this can cause a number of symptoms. The symptoms can persist until the cysts resolve. However, they are usually manageable.

The most common symptoms include:

• Bloating and a feeling of fullness in your belly.
• Pressure on the bladder or rectum.
• Abdominal pressure.
• Pain that can be dull or sharp and ranges in severity from mild to more prominent. Pain is usually felt in the lower abdomen, on one side. It can intensify during bowel movements.

These are the most common symptoms of smaller, harmless cysts. Respectively, just like cysts themselves, these symptoms should usually go away on their own.

How to Relieve Ovarian Cyst Pain During Pregnancy

Although the symptoms associated with an ovarian cyst during pregnancy can cause quite a lot of discomfort, they are normally manageable. Most management strategies are aimed at relieving inflammation and pain, and they are typically safe for pregnant women.

Here’s what you can do to alleviate cyst-related pain:

• Stay well hydrated.
• Enrich your diet with anti-inflammatory foods and reduce foods that can aggravate inflammation, such as sugar, processed foods, etc.
• Try meditation, breathing, and other similar techniques that promote relaxation.
• Do gentle stretching or other light activities to encourage your brain to release natural painkillers.
• Use warm compresses on your abdomen to create muscle relaxation.

In addition to these general tips, of course, you can use over-the-counter medicines to manage pain. Commonly prescribed pain medications are considered generally safe for pregnant women and their babies. However, it’s never a bad idea to consult with your healthcare provider to find medications that will be both harmless and effective for you.

Can Ovarian Cyst Cause Bleeding During Pregnancy?

The short answer is “yes.” It’s possible to have bleeding and other more severe symptoms from a cyst.

Normal symptoms of an ovarian cyst during pregnancy are mild, manageable, and shouldn’t be very disturbing. However, there is a case when a cyst can cause you much more discomfort. This can happen if it bursts. In this case, it’s common to experience the following symptoms:

• Sudden, sharp pain. Normally, you’ll feel the pain in the lower belly, though it can also radiate to your back. The pain intensity can range from moderate to severe.
• Nausea and/or vomiting. These symptoms may appear in the case of a cyst torsion.
• Abdominal bloating.
• Dizziness
• Light spotting or even bleeding.

Bleeding is most common in certain types of cysts, such as hemorrhagic cysts and endometriomas, which are filled with blood. Normal cysts are usually filled with fluid that gets reabsorbed in your body in case of a rupture, meaning that they don’t usually cause bleeding. However, it’s also possible to experience vaginal bleeding in the case of a rupture of a large cyst.

Is There Any Risk of Removing Ovarian Cyst During Pregnancy?

As you might know, sometimes, ovarian cysts can be removed surgically. But is it safe in pregnancy?

The short answer is that healthcare providers rarely decide to remove an ovarian cyst during pregnancy. This is because this surgical procedure might be associated with certain pregnancy risks, such as a miscarriage or preterm birth. Also, conducting a surgery typically means exposing you and your baby to anesthesia.

Due to these reasons, surgical intervention is kept as a last resort method, when a cyst is overly problematic and carries a risk of torsion and/or rupture.

FAQ

Is it common to have an ovarian cyst during pregnancy?

Yes, ovarian cysts are quite common in pregnancy. The majority of them perform a supportive feature in early pregnancy and disappear on their own before the second trimester. Still, most healthcare providers will keep a closer eye on you to be able to detect and address any issues that might arise, such as a cyst’s overgrowth or rupture.

When should I seek treatment?

Generally, ovarian cysts rarely go unnoticed in pregnancy. Your healthcare provider should detect them during the first ultrasound screening and adjust your prenatal care plan according to it. It’s important to adhere to your doctor’s recommendations and notify them about any symptoms that you experience. This will help your healthcare team assess and mitigate the risk, develop effective management strategies, and identify if your cyst needs surgical removal (which is very rare).

Can I prevent ovarian cyst during pregnancy?

No, not really. If you’re prone to developing cysts due to a diagnosed medical condition, such as PCOS, you should know that certain approaches, such as taking hormonal birth control, can stop ovulation and prevent new cysts from forming. This, however, isn’t done in pregnancy. So, there is practically no way to prevent or avoid cysts during pregnancy by 100%.

Conclusion

As you now know, detecting an ovarian cyst during pregnancy isn’t rare or unusual. Moreover, in many cases, it shouldn’t be a cause for concern. So, if you happen to be in this situation, don’t panic! Use the knowledge from this guide to find peace of mind and manage your cysts effectively!

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