Ovarian Cysts and pregnancy

[misguided0life.livejournal.com]

I am just randomly curious. Does anyone know about ovarian cysts and how it effects your ability to get pregnant? I am only wondering because I have received various viewpoints on the subject. Mainly, I need to know if it is possible to get pregnant if you have ovarian cysts. And I would also like to know if possible to get pregnant, how hard is it?

Comments

[hahahabye.livejournal.com]

I think it's possible to get pregnant with ovarian cysts, though if you are aware that you have them and are planning to become pregnant, it'd be best to get them taken care of before you actually begin trying to get pregnant.

I think the difficulty levels of getting pregnant with an ovarian cyst varies from person to person.

[atalanta0jess.livejournal.com]

Usually though, there isn't anything that needs to be done to "take care of" an ovarian cyst.

[gryphonwing.livejournal.com]

Depends on the cysts and the person.

PCOS - polycystic ovarian syndrome - seriously interferes with the ability to conceive, but it's not because of the cysts precisely. It's because of the underlying hormonal wonkiness that prevents ovulation (and makes the cysts). My guess is that if you've heard about cysts making it hard to conceive this is really what people mean.

If you just have a cyst or two or three - that's actually very very common, and they usually go away on their own. I don't know enough about non-PCOS cysts to know if they reduce fertility at all - I suppose one in the wrong place could do that? I would be surprised if run-of-the-mill cysts were really problematic, but again, I don't know much about them. Sorry.

[oblivietto.livejournal.com]

I think it depends entirely on the woman involved and her specific case. I will tell you that I was diagnosed with PCOS at 22. I went on to conceive four times, two of which were within a few months of having cysts removed. I have three healthy children now. So yeah, it's possible, if difficult. And of course, YMMV.

[mel-darcy.livejournal.com]

Both my mum and I have PCOS. She had some trouble, (my brother and I are far apart) but was ultimately successful without help.
Perhaps talk to your doctor for advice?

[orange-poptart.livejournal.com]

I don't have PCOS, But I had a cyst on my ovary that was causing me pain. I noticed the pain during sex when my husband and I started trying to concieve. I went to the doctor and he diagnosed it, but just kind of wanted to 'wait and see' since I'd never had a problem with cysts before. After 8 months of trying to concieve, I found out I was pregnant. So it's not impossible, but it could take longer than you'd like. I'd reccomend talking to a doctor before TTC, just so they can asses your reproductive health and start you on prenatal vitamins.

[bonojonovi.livejournal.com]

There exists a syndrome called polycystic ovarian syndrome (aforementioned by others), which can make it difficult for a woman to conceive. Usually these women have irregular periods, may have less estrogen/more testosterone than usual, the ovaries are usually slightly swollen, etc. The way that most doctors treat it is by prescribing monophasic birth control pills, which help regulate the hormones and cycles.
IN PCOS, the "cysts" aren't cysts at all, but ova that aren't being properly released.

I know a woman who has PCOS, and after being on the pill for several months, had no trouble conceiving children, all of which turned out just fine. Both of her children--daughters--also have PCOS.

[gryphonwing.livejournal.com]

Just as a note - hormonal birth control doesn't really treat PCOS, just masks it. It's true it's what most doctors do, though. This is a pet peeve of mine - doctors prescribe HBC and then act like the problem is gone.

[bonojonovi.livejournal.com]

Right-o, good point. It's "managed" by birth control, not "fixed" or technically "treated." My friend described its effectiveness as being like a "wind-up clock or toy," in that the longer she was wound up (i.e. on the pill), for that period of time after she was off of the pill, she had minimal hormonal problems. But after that period lapsed, problems arose again.

Again, thanks for pointing that bringing that up. :)

[adamantplatypus.livejournal.com]

My mother had an ovarian cyst that caused a miscarriage. Even if the ability to get pregnant isn't decreased, the ability to carry may be.

[gryphonwing.livejournal.com]

Wow, really? That's one heck of a cyst complication.