What to Know About Ovarian Cysts and Fertility I TCM Puchong | Golden Gate

Introduction

Ovarian cysts are prevalent among women of reproductive age and can significantly affect their reproductive health. At Golden Gate Fertility Centre, located in Puchong, we integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with Western medicine to address fertility challenges, including those posed by ovarian cysts. These cysts, common in women of reproductive age, present a complex relationship between gynecological health and reproductive potential. The diagnosis and management of ovarian cysts are, therefore, essential aspects of reproductive healthcare, necessitating a nuanced approach that optimizes treatment effectiveness while preserving fertility. This article delves into the intersection of ovarian cysts and fertility, highlighting their impact, various types, and the comprehensive approach TCM offers for management and treatment.

Understanding Ovarian Cysts and Their Impact on Fertility

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on or within an ovary, frequently occurring during a woman’s reproductive years. These cysts can disrupt the ovulation process, damage ovarian tissue, or lead to pelvic adhesions (adhesions are formation of scaring in the abdomen between organs), complicating the journey of sperm to the egg or the egg’s implantation in the uterus. Additionally, having multiple or large cysts can block the ovaries or fallopian tubes, further challenging fertility. Understanding the relationship between ovarian cysts and fertility is crucial for women facing these issues.

Types of Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are categorized into several types, each with unique characteristics and implications for a woman’s health. A brief overview includes:

1. Functional Cysts

These are the most common types, closely related to the menstrual cycle. These types of cysts are harmless and commonly occur throughout women childbearing age. In most cases, they go away after 2 to 3 months without needing any treatment but require regular follow up and monitoring to ensure no complication occurs.

Follicular Cysts: Every month, your ovaries will produce follicles, these are the egg for fertilization and will become a baby.  Follicular cysts form when the follicle doesn’t release an egg and continues to grow.

Corpus Luteum Cysts: Develop if the sac doesn’t dissolve after releasing an egg, leading to fluid accumulation. After a follicle releases its egg, it shrinks and begins producing estrogen and progesterone. And the remnant of this follicle is now called the corpus luteum. The hormones it produces are essential for conception and maintaining the pregnancy. Sometimes, fluid or blood builds up inside the corpus luteum, causing it to increase in size and thus become a cyst.

2. Pathological Cysts

These cysts arise from abnormal cell growth and are unrelated to the menstrual cycle.

Dermoid Cysts (Teratomas): Contain tissues like hair, skin, or teeth because they develop from embryonic cells. This is rarely cancerous, but it can grow to become very large.

Cystadenomas: Develop from ovarian tissue and can be filled with a watery or mucous material. This cyst can grow very large and potentially cause twisting of the ovaries and cut off blood supplies to the affected ovary.

Endometriomas (Chocolate Cysts): Form because of endometriosis when endometrial-like tissue attached to ovaries and grows on the ovaries, leading to blood-filled cysts, and this continue to happen every month leading to the blood-filled cysts continue to increase in size. This type of cyst will cause local inflammation and destruction of the ovarian tissue and follicles, which further lead to infertility.

3. Polycystic Ovaries

Characterized by the presence of many small cysts within the ovaries, associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which can affect hormone levels, periods, and ovulation.

Functional vs. Pathological Cysts

Functional cysts are usually benign, often resolving on their own within a few menstrual cycles without the need for treatment. Unless it increases in size, doctors may need to remove it surgically.

Pathological cysts, while also often benign, can sometimes become large, cause symptoms, or even be malignant. Their management may require more careful monitoring with blood tests and ultrasound or surgical intervention.

Impact on Health and Fertility

Most ovarian cysts, especially functional ones, have little to no impact on fertility in the long term

Pathological cysts, particularly endometriomas, can affect fertility by interfering with ovulation or causing damage to the ovaries reducing the egg-reserve.

PCOS is a common cause of infertility due to its impact on ovulation.

When to Seek Treatment for Ovarian Cysts Affecting Fertility

Seeking treatment for ovarian cysts, particularly when they’re affecting fertility, involves recognizing specific signs, symptoms, and situations that indicate the need for professional evaluation and possibly intervention. Here are key indicators that it might be time to seek treatment:

1. Persistent or Severe Symptoms

While many ovarian cysts are asymptomatic, some can cause noticeable symptoms that warrant medical attention, including:

Persistent pelvic pain or discomfort.

Abdominal bloating or swelling.

Painful menstruation or irregular periods.

Pain during intercourse.

Sudden onset of pelvic pain can be a sign of twisted ovary which is a medical emergency.

2. Impact on Fertility

If you’ve been trying to conceive for a year or more without success (or six months if over the age of 35), it’s advisable to consult a fertility specialist. This is particularly true if you’re aware of cysts that could potentially impact fertility, such as endometriomas associated with endometriosis or cysts related to PCOS.

3. Rapid Growth or Changes in Cysts

If follow-up imaging shows that a cyst is growing quickly or changing in appearance, it’s crucial to seek medical advice. Rapidly growing cysts may require removal to prevent complications like ovarian torsion or rupture and to ensure they’re not malignant.

4. Symptoms Suggestive of Complications

Signs of complications from an ovarian cyst require immediate medical attention, including:

Sudden, severe abdominal or pelvic pain.

Fever with pelvic pain.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or rapid breathing, which could indicate internal bleeding or cyst rupture.

5. Presence of Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer

While most ovarian cysts are benign, those who have risk factors for ovarian cancer (e.g., family history, genetic predispositions like BRCA mutations) should be more vigilant. Any new or unusual symptoms should prompt a consultation with a healthcare provider.

Integrating TCM in Managing Ovarian Cysts and Enhancing Fertility

Integrating TCM with conventional medical treatments offers a holistic approach to managing ovarian cysts and enhancing fertility. TCM emphasizes restoring balance within the body’s systems. Here’s how TCM can be incorporated:

1. TCM Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment:

Begins with assessing the body’s Qi, Yin and Yang, and Zang-fu organs, leading to a tailored treatment plan that may include herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary advice, and lifestyle changes.

2. Herbal Medicine:

TCM utilizes specific herbal formulas to address ovarian cysts and boost fertility, tailored to the individual’s imbalance.

3. Acupuncture:

Aids in restoring Qi flow and balancing energy pathways, potentially reducing cyst size and alleviating pain, while also supporting fertility.

4. Diet and Lifestyle Adjustments:

Emphasizes warm, nourishing foods and stress reduction to support the body’s natural healing and fertility.

Who Should Consider TCM for Ovarian Cysts

TCM offers a holistic approach, focusing on the balance and flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body, and may be particularly beneficial for individuals seeking non-invasive and natural treatment options. Here are some considerations for who might consider TCM for managing ovarian cysts:

1. Individuals Seeking Holistic Treatment Options

Those interested in a holistic approach to health, which considers the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, may find TCM appealing. TCM practitioners look at the body’s balance and how internal disharmonies contribute to physical manifestations, such as ovarian cysts.

2. Those with Recurrent Functional Cysts

Women experiencing recurrent functional ovarian cysts, which often resolve on their own but can cause discomfort, may benefit from TCM. TCM can offer strategies to manage symptoms and potentially reduce the recurrence of cysts by addressing underlying imbalances.

3. Individuals Looking for Complementary Treatments

For those already undergoing conventional treatments for ovarian cysts or those seeking to enhance fertility, TCM can serve as a complementary approach. Acupuncture and herbal medicine, for example, have been shown to support conventional fertility treatments, improve pelvic blood flow, and help manage the side effects of hormonal therapies.

4. Those with Chronic Pelvic Pain

TCM may provide relief for individuals experiencing chronic pelvic pain associated with ovarian cysts, especially when conventional pain management strategies are ineffective or undesired. Acupuncture, in particular, has been recognized for its pain-relieving properties.