Everything about Chocolate Cysts (Ovarian Endometrioma)- symptoms, causes, and treatment
Contrary to the attractive name “chocolate cysts (ovarian endometrioma)”, it is not a pleasant condition for women to deal with. It comes with its own infertility symptoms. As per a report, almost 20 to 40% of women who have endometriosis eventually also suffer from endometriosis ovarian cyst. A chocolate cyst, also referred to as an ovarian endometrioma is a cyst containing old blood, thus it is dark brown in colour. Such cysts form when endometrial tissues create sacs on the ovaries.
Let’s further learn about the causes, symptoms and treatments of chocolate cysts along with how they negatively affect female fertility.
Major causes of chocolate cysts (ovarian endometrioma)
- Gene factor
- Autoimmune condition
- Retrograde menstruation (when menstrual blood flows backward into the pelvic cavity)
Other secondary risk factors for chocolate cysts include:
- Environmental toxins
- Previous pelvic surgery
- High estrogen levels
Chocolate cyst (ovarian endometrioma) symptoms:
- painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
- Pelvic pain occurring between periods without a clear cause
- Experiencing pain during sex (dyspareunia)
- Frequent digestion-related issues
- Difficulty in bowel movements
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Problems in achieving pregnancy
Treatment options for chocolate cysts (ovarian endometrioma)
The best-suited treatment plan for chocolate cysts depends upon the severity of symptoms and your reproductive goals. If you want to conceive, the fertility doctor will emphasize protecting and boosting your fertility and sexual health.
For some females, doctors advise tracking the cyst growth rather than immediately giving a treatment plan. Doctors suggest this “wait and watch” in cases where the cyst is small and does not show severe symptoms or disturb lifestyle.
However, surgery becomes necessary in these scenarios:
- The size of the cyst is 4cm or more
- Extreme menstrual pain that makes it difficult to carry on with routine life
- Dealing with fertility issues
Surgical treatment for chocolate cysts offers complete and long-term relief from the symptoms. Only in rare and severe cases does a female need to undergo an oophorectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries) so that there are nil chances of recurrence. Thus, it is not a viable option for women looking forward to conceiving.
Though it is possible to recognize endometriomas in an ultrasound, for more accurate diagnosis doctors may even examine the cyst under a microscope. Only in rare cases of ovarian endometrioma, a large cyst may eventually turn out to be malignant. Thus removing such a large growing and risky cyst is crucial.
You must have understood that ovarian endometriomas can have a significant impact on fertility. These cysts may even trigger inflammation in the reproductive organs, making it difficult for fertilization or implantation. Sometimes, scar tissue and adhesions caused by the cysts can block or distort the fallopian tubes, making it further complicated to conceive naturally..
Advanced fertility treatments after ovarian endometrioma surgery
If chocolate cysts or endometriosis have affected fertility, treatments like IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) present a solution to reach parenthood. Ferticity IVF and Fertility Clinics specialize in managing complex cases, combining surgical expertise with world-class treatments like IVF or ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) to maximize chances of getting pregnant.
Endometriosis is physically, mentally and emotionally difficult to deal with all on your own, and ovarian endometriomas add to the struggle. The problems double up when you try to conceive. Talk to your fertility doctor about treatments that can ease your symptoms and support your fertility goals. To book an appointment, log onto https://ferticity.com/best-ivf-doctors-in-delhi