What to do if the pregnancy cyst becomes larger

After becoming pregnant, women are actually more likely to have some physical health problems. For example, some women find that they have cysts without any warning signs. Faced with cysts, women feel very confused and helpless, and some cysts may even grow larger. What should you do if the cysts grow larger during pregnancy? If you find that the cyst has become larger after pregnancy, you can consult a doctor's advice after specific examination.

Does ovarian cyst affect pregnancy?

Whether ovarian cysts affect pregnancy depends on their nature. Malignant ovarian cysts are actually malignant tumors of the ovary and are not suitable for pregnancy. If it is a benign ovarian cyst, the size of the cyst is the main factor affecting pregnancy.

Generally, the diameter is more than 6-8 cm. Some doctors believe that surgery is necessary only for ovarian cysts that are larger than 10 cm. The possible effects of large ovarian cysts on pregnancy include: cyst torsion and rupture causing acute abdomen, increasing the risk of miscarriage and premature birth; cysts occupying space in the pelvis and abdomen, affecting fetal growth; cysts hindering fetal descent, causing difficulty in delivery.

Can pregnancy cause ovarian cysts?

Dr. Peng Peng said that unlike uterine fibroids, pregnancy may cause ovarian cysts. For example, a lutein cyst is a type of ovarian cyst that appears after pregnancy.

Of course, the vast majority of ovarian cysts are not caused by pregnancy. Pregnancy does not usually cause an existing cyst to grow rapidly.

If an ovarian cyst is discovered before pregnancy, its benign or malignant nature must be determined. Dr. Peng Peng said that if a cyst is suspected to be malignant, surgical treatment should be performed as soon as possible. If it is a benign cyst with a diameter exceeding 6-8 cm, incomplete cysticity on ultrasound, elevated tumor markers, and gradual enlargement during observation, then it is recommended to undergo surgery before becoming pregnant.

Does a cyst discovered during pregnancy require surgery?

Some cysts that appear during pregnancy, like the case of Ms. Song at the beginning, may disappear on their own after a period of observation, especially after 12-14 weeks of pregnancy. Such cysts are called "physiological cysts" and do not require any treatment.

If a cyst is discovered before pregnancy, or a cyst is discovered after pregnancy and does not disappear after 14 weeks of pregnancy, if its diameter is less than 6 cm and it is completely cystic, it can be observed and there is no need to rush for surgical treatment.

Cysts with any of the following manifestations require surgical treatment during pregnancy: the diameter is greater than 6-8 cm, or even more than 10 cm; ultrasound shows that the cyst is solid, cystic, has nipples or septa; the cyst has abundant blood flow and the possibility of malignancy cannot be ruled out. Once the decision to have surgery is made, it is best to choose the time of surgery around 16-18 weeks of pregnancy. At this time, the uterus is not too large, which has little impact on the surgical operation, and the risk of miscarriage is also relatively small. If the cyst ruptures, twists, or develops an emergency condition, which manifests as sudden and significant abdominal pain or severe vomiting, you should seek medical attention promptly and consider emergency surgery.