large cyst

Large Ovarian Cyst Symptoms – The Case Of A Woman With A 90 Pound Cyst In Her Ovaries

What are the symptoms of large ovarian cysts? And how bad can the symptoms really get?

A case that was documented in the Journal of Medical Case Reports, and which LiveScience reported, could clue us in on what reality holds for women with cysts in their ovaries.

However, you should note that not every ovarian cyst grows into a 90-pound monster. And in most cases, ovarian cysts don’t cause symptoms. This case is therefore not the norm. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t true or that ovarian cysts can’t grow to as large a size as this woman’s did.

The woman, who was 58 years old, lived with the cyst for an extended period of time without knowing of its presence. All the symptoms that she experienced she filed them under growing-old problems. That was until she started gaining weight for unexplained reasons.

dermoid ovarian cyst prevention

When she went to the doctor, she was surprised to learn that not only did she have ovarian cysts, but also that the cysts were to blame for some of the discomfort and pain that she was experiencing.

Here are the symptoms/signs/effects of the large ovarian cyst that was in her ovaries.

Increased waistline

The woman noticed that her waistline was increasing. And for no apparent reason.

She hadn’t changed her eating habits. And her general lifestyle was still the same.

The increase in her waistline is what prompted her to visit a doctor. It is what led to the discovery of the huge cyst.

Heaviness in the stomach

The heaviness that this woman was feeling was literal. She was carrying 90 pound of excess foreign weight in her body.

According to the doctors who operated on her, the discomfort that she had was largely due to the effect that the large cyst had on her stomach. They noted that the cyst had “squished the contents of her stomach.”

Difficulty breathing

The space that her reproductive system had occupied wasn’t enough for the ovarian cyst. It had grown so large that it had pushed against her diaphragm. And since the diaphragm plays an important process in the breathe-in / breathe-out process of the respiratory system, this caused her to have breathing problems – her breathing was shallow.

Displaced uterus effect

As her cyst grew, it needed more and more space. And so it took more and more space, not caring whom it took it from.

As after-surgery medical results showed, her uterus also fell victim to the rapid expansion ambitions of the large cyst. It got displaced. And as you would imagine, this definitely would have had an effect on her fertility had she been young enough to get pregnant.

Ovarian cancer

To be clear, ovarian cancer is not a symptom of ovarian cysts. It’s just that cysts sometimes develop cancerous cells. As did this woman’s.

Lucky for her, the signs of cancerous ovarian cysts were detected early enough. She therefore received treatment on time and was later declared to have fully recovered from the cancer attack.

Results/Effects of the large ovarian cysts and related treatment

By the time the woman had gotten rid of her ovarian cysts and by the time she had undergone the treatments necessary to make her whole again, the woman had gathered a couple of battle scars.

She had lost her uterus, her fallopian tubes and her lymph nodes. The good thing was that she made it through alive.

dermoid ovarian cyst prevention

signs and symptoms of cystic growths in the ovaries -reproductive system

27 Ovarian Cyst Symptoms Every Woman Needs to Know

What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts? Can they affect your weight? Can they mess with your menstrual periods? Do they cause pain during sex? How about after sex? If I experience pain after sex, does it still fall under ovarian cyst symptoms? And is it true that ovarian cysts can sometimes affect the rate at which a person’s hair grows?

Questions about ovarian cyst symptoms abound. And it’s not that people are clueless when it comes to the signs of ovarian cysts. It’s just that the information is all over the place.

dermoid ovarian cyst prevention

Yes, almost every leading online medical website has information on the symptoms. The only problem is that the lists of the symptoms are never exhaustive. And so you ask yourself: if WebMD, in an article reviewed by a doctor, lists only  8 symptoms of cysts on ovaries, what does it say about the other symptoms you have read about?

Instead of having to wonder. And instead of having to spend time digging through internet pages trying to find an exhaustive list or a place that can just answer one simple question: is what I am experiencing a symptom of ovarian cysts? And instead of trying to remember a place where you last saw a certain cyst on ovary symptom, read this list. It’s exhaustive.

The list has been compiled from the top online medical websites. We are talking about Mayo Clinic, WebMD, WomensHealth.Gov, Hopkins Medicine, Health Line, Medical News Today, MedicineNet, NIH.Gov, eMedicine Health and NHS.UK.

Here is the exhaustive list of ovarian cyst symptoms (all 27):

  1. Abdominal swelling ( a swollen tummy)
  2. Difficulty emptying your bowels / painful bowel movements
  3. Pelvic pain before or during menstrual cycle – may be persistent or intermittent- may range from a dull, heavy sensation to a sudden, severe and sharp pain; may start and stop; may occur after any strenuous activity
  4. Painful intercourse /sex – dyspareunia – for some women
  5. Pain and discomfort in the abdomen after sex
  6. Pain in the lower back – dull ache
  7. Breast tenderness
  8. Nausea
  9. Vomiting
  10. Fever
  11. Faintness or dizziness
  12. Rapid breathing
  13. Frequent need to urinate
  14. Feeling very full after only eating a little
  15. Difficulty getting pregnant
  16. Irregular menstrual periods
  17. Feeling of lower abdominal or pelvic pressure or fullness
  18. Vaginal pain
  19. Spotty vaginal bleeding
  20. Infertility
  21. Painful menstruation
  22. Unexplained weight gain
  23. Loss of appetite
  24. Absence of menstrual bleeding – emenorrhea
  25. Heavy bleeding (menorrhagia)
  26. Hallucinations (this one is extra rare. It happened in this case.)
  27. Change in hair growth – on the face, body – caused by increased production of masculinizing hormone (hirsutism).


That is a long list.

How about we break the symptoms into groups.

5 groups makes sense. How about:

1. Discomfort as an ovarian cyst symptom

Ovarian cyst symptoms that manifest as discomfort usually occur because of two main reasons:

a) Large ovarian cysts that press against adjacent organs like the bladder

b) Hormonal changes that may result from the presence of cysts in the ovaries – ovaries are one of the most important hormonal production centers in the body especially when it comes to pregnancy related hormones. It is no wonder that some of the symptoms of ovarian cysts usually mimic pregnancy symptoms. There are even cases of ovarian-cyst-induced symptoms making women think that they are pregnant.

  1. Nausea
  2. Vomiting
  3. A feeling of fullness in the abdominal area
  4. Breast tenderness

2. Pain as a symptom of ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts usually cause pain when they become too large – something that causes them to squeeze tissues and organs out of their original space – or when complications of ovarian cysts develop.

MedicineNet lists four possible instances when ovarian cysts cause pain:

  1. rapid growth and stretching
  2. rupture of the cyst
  3. twisting of the cyst around its blood supply (known as torsion), or
  4. bleeding into the cyst

As for ovarian cyst pain symptoms, here they are:

  1. Pelvic pain
  2. Painful periods
  3. Vaginal pain
  4. Pain during intercourse/sex
  5. Back pain – lower back
  6. Pain after sex – in the abdominal area
  7. Pain during bowel movements

3. Changes caused by ovarian cysts

Most of these changes are caused because of the hormonal imbalance that cysts in ovaries may cause. Some, like the need to urinate more often, result when a large cyst presses against an organ. While others, like infertility, more often than not, result either in the course of ovarian cyst treatment or when complications of ovarian cysts, like ovarian torsion, occur.

  1. An increase in the need to urinate
  2. Excessive bleeding during menstruation
  3. Irregular periods
  4. Unexplained weight gain
  5. Increase in the rate of hair growth
  6. Absence of menstrual bleeding
  7. Light vaginal spotting
  8. Difficulty getting pregnant
  9. Infertility
  10. Swollen tummy – distended stomach

4. You-Need-To-See-A-Doctor-Immediately ovarian cyst symptoms

These are serious symptoms that tend to occur when ovarian cyst complications develop. They can occur with one or more of the above symptoms and when they do, you should definitely seek immediate medical attention. Failure to do so could have devastating consequences. Even death.

  1. Severe or sharp pelvic pain
  2. Fever
  3. Dizziness
  4. Rapid breathing

5. Super-rare symptoms of ovarian cysts


A woman experienced hallucinations when the cysts in her ovaries developed brain cells. This then triggered an immune system reaction that led to her immune system attacking her brain. You can read the story here.

Difficulty breathing

In a case reported in LiveScience, a 57 year old woman had a cyst that was so large that it had pushed against her diaphragm. This messed with her breathing. Here’s the story.


ovarian teratoma

What Are The Symptoms Of Dermoid Ovarian Cysts?

What are the symptoms of dermoid ovarian cysts? How do you know if you have these cystic growths in your ovaries? And when is surgical removal of the cysts necessary? These are the questions that this article will be dealing with.

What are the normal symptoms of dermoid ovarian cysts?

Dermoid cysts, also known as ovarian teratomas, don’t usually have symptoms. They have a habit of existing in the ovaries without causing any trouble. As a result, in most cases, they are usually discovered accidentally – when a woman is undergoing a routine pelvic exam or any other routine medical checkup.

dermoid ovarian cyst prevention

Why do dermoid cysts rarely cause ovarian cyst symptoms?

Well, they are usually small. And they tend to be very slow-growing.

What this means is that they can exist within the ovaries without adversely affecting their functioning. That they can exist within the female reproductive system without pressing hard against its organs. And that they can exist within the human body without pressing against adjacent organs like the bladder.

Is it a bad thing that these cysts rarely show symptoms?

Absolutely not.

Why? Because it means that you can stay with them without having to suffer through the discomfort that they sometimes cause.

It also means that you won’t need surgery.

If your dermoid ovarian cysts aren’t showing any symptoms, there is no need for fertility-threatening medical intervention. All your doctor may have to do is perform routine medical examinations in order to make sure that the cysts aren’t growing faster than usual and that they are not showing any abnormal signs.

That’s all.

All this means is that in most cases, all you will need is the wait-and-see approach to treating ovarian cysts. You may of course need to use natural tips of managing ovarian cysts in order to prevent them from getting larger. But all things considered, you are safe.

In the rare occasion that dermoid ovarian cyst symptoms appear

But there are times when dermoid cysts grow at a more-than-normal pace. They therefore sometimes become large cysts. When this happens, they will start interfering with the functioning of the ovaries. They may start competing for space within your reproductive system. And they may start applying pressure on organs that are adjacent to the female reproductive system – like kidneys.

Dermoid cyst symptoms may also start to appear when any of the complications of ovarian teratomas, another name for dermoid ovarian cysts, develop. These complications include ovarian torsion, ovarian cyst rupture, infections and malignancy.

These complications are serious and usually require immediate medical attention. Surgical removal of the ovarian cysts may also be necessary in order to prevent any further complications.

The most common dermoid ovarian cyst symptoms

When dermoid cysts decide to act up, they can cause any of the symptoms associated with most ovarian cysts.

However, abdominal pain seems to be the most common symptom.

dermoid ovarian cyst prevention

dermoid ovarian cyst recurrence cases teratoma

Recurrence After Dermoid Ovarian Cyst Removal: This Woman’s Cysts Returned 3 Times After Surgery

After having an encounter with ovarian cysts and then getting rid of them, especially through as drastic a measure as surgery, the last thing you want to hear is your doctor telling you that the cysts in your ovaries are back.

It’s traumatizing because of the hell that ovarian cyst symptoms can put you through. It is frightening because of the numerous risks that come with cyst removal through surgery. And it’s a nightmare because you have to go through all of it again without knowing whether or not it would be the last time.

But sometimes, it happens.

When you least expect it, you learn that you have ovarian cysts. You then suffer through the symptoms of the ovarian cysts, brave the doctor appointments, shoulder the costs of the treatments, deal with the inconveniences of having interrupted schedules, and spend endless nights and days trying to get rid of the cysts in your ovaries.

dermoid ovarian cyst prevention

And then you finally do manage to cure them. Thinking that you are clear, you go on with your day-to-day life. Only to find out later that there are other cysts growing in your ovaries. And that you will have to go through the entire process again.

It is frustrating. It is tiring. It is annoying. It is frightening. And it is all the bad things you couldn’t wish on your worst enemy.

But that is life. And it is something that happened to a girl who hadn’t yet clocked 20 years. Her case was documented in BioMed Central.

The story of the 16 year old girl with dermoid cysts in her ovaries

At 16 years of age, the girl went to see a doctor. For two weeks straight, she had been experiencing pain in the lower part of her abdomen – a common symptom of ovarian cysts.

The doctors examined her and found out that that she had a dermoid ovarian cyst in her right ovary. Surgery was recommended. They performed it and the cyst was successfully removed.

A month or so after surgery, she was feeling better. The abdominal pains were gone and recovery from surgery was great. Further pelvic exams didn’t show any signs of growing dermoid cysts. And so she resumed her life. Happy that the nasty cysts were finally out of her ovary.

A year after ovarian cyst removal through surgery

But a year later, they were back. This time round it wasn’t abdominal pains that took her to the hospital. It was abnormal menstrual periods. For two months, she had been experiencing excessive bleeding. And there were no signs of the bleeding stopping.

Upon examination, doctors discovered that a cystic growth in her ovaries was to blame for her problems. They again recommended surgery. It was performed. And it was successful.

3 years later, ovarian cyst symptoms of abdominal pain and excessive bleeding start

3 years went by and everything was perfect. But by the time she turned 20, the well-known symptoms of ovarian cysts had started again. This time it was both the abdominal pain and the excessive bleeding. She had been suffering from them for about 7 months before finally deciding to visit a doctor.

This time round, doctors had worse news. They had found ovarian cysts in both her ovaries. And not just that. They had were also suspecting that one of those cysts was cancerous (malignant). Now double ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer!?

Two dermoid ovarian cysts in her ovaries

During surgery, the doctors confirmed their suspicions. She had two cysts ovarian cysts, one in each of her ovaries. Both of the cystic growths were dermoid cysts (mature cystic teratomas).

The only good news was that the doctors’ suspicions of ovarian cancer were wrong. Both the cysts in her ovaries were benign –noncancerous. Which wasn’t really good news, but more of a relief for the 20 year old girl.

15 months later, no cysts had yet formed in her ovaries. There were also none of the symptoms of dermoid ovarian cysts. She seemed fine. Everything seemed right. Fingers crossed.

dermoid ovarian cyst prevention


risks of dermoid ovarian cyst recurrence in the ovaries - female reproductive system complications

What is the Likelihood of Dermoid Ovarian Cysts Returning? Answers

Dermoid cysts, also known as ovarian teratomas, can grow back after removal. It doesn’t really matter what type of surgery you opt for. These cystic growths can return to haunt you later on. But the question is: what are the chances of the cysts growing in your ovaries?

The risks of dermoid cyst recurrence

While there is a possibility of suffering a second or third round of dermoid cyst attack, studies show that the chances of this happening are very slim. This files this ovarian cyst complication under yes-it-is-possible-but-unlikely.

This case report in BioMed Central states that the risk of recurrence of ovarian teratomas, another name for dermoid ovarian cysts, is 4.2%. This is quite low. And possibly a good reason for women who have successfully gotten rid of their cysts not to worry.

Can birth control pills help to lower the chances of dermoid cysts coming back?

No they can’t.

Birth control pills usually come in handy in the management of ovarian cysts because they can stop ovulation. Since some cysts usually form in the course of a woman’s menstrual cycle, it is believed that stopping ovulation can be a good way of preventing ovarian cysts from developing in the female reproductive system.

However, various studies show that while most doctors advocate for birth control pills as a way to manage the growth and symptoms of ovarian cysts, these pills rarely have an effect on the rate of growth of cysts on ovaries. They are also not effective in shrinking ovarian cysts.

Birth control pills have no chance of success against dermoid ovarian cysts

Leading medical publications point out that birth control pills can be effective in preventing the growth of new ovarian cysts. Well, not really prevent, but more of reduce the risks of new ovarian cysts developing.

And while this may be true, it doesn’t really help when it comes to preventing new dermoid ovarian cysts from developing in a woman’s ovaries.

Why? Because birth control pills may only work on ovarian cysts that develop in the course of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Those that come about when something goes wrong during ovulation or immediately after. These cysts are called functional cysts – they are so called because their development is dependent on the functioning of the female reproductive system.

Dermoid cysts don’t grow because of menstruation, ovulation or any of the activities that go on in the female reproductive system. They develop when a germ cell gets trapped in the ovaries. This is something that has nothing to do with the hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle.

What this means is that birth control pills don’t really have a chance when it comes to preventing the formation of dermoid ovarian cysts.

Preventing dermoid ovarian cyst return – what may work

We are what we eat. And we are how we live.

Lifestyle choices and eating habits play a large role in determining how well our bodies function. Better lifestyle choices and healthy diets can therefore help to reduce the risks of dermoid ovarian cyst formation.

Doctors don’t really know what causes dermoid ovarian cysts to form – what causes that germ cell to develop in the ovaries in the first place. They therefore cannot prescribe a pill or any medication that works with certainty.

Surgery is effective when it comes to removing dermoid ovarian cysts – don’t let me get started on why surgical removal of ovarian cysts is a bad idea. Surgical removal of dermoid ovarian cysts doesn’t however reduce the risks of another cyst forming. Why? Because it doesn’t deal with the root cause of the problem.

When it comes to reducing the risks of demoid cysts returning, your best chance seems to lie with working with your body. It lies with giving your body the best tools to fight against the development of abnormal growths in the ovaries. Relying on natural methods of preventing ovarian cysts seems to be the only winning bet. And it is the only one worth making.

dermoid ovarian cyst prevention

ovarian teratoma recurrence

Do Dermoid Cysts Grow Back? 5 Things to Know About Recurrence of Ovarian Cysts

Worried about whether or not your dermoid cysts will return? You are not alone. Most women who have had a brush with ovarian cysts do. And for a good reason.

Why? Because dermoid ovarian cysts can sometimes decide to be downright nasty. They can cause ovarian cyst complications such as cyst rupture and ovarian torsion. They can cause reproductive system infections. And they can sometimes turn out to contain traces of cancerous cells.

If you have lived through any of the nightmares that dermoid cysts and their symptoms cause, going through the same thing is not something to look forward to. Especially if you had to undergo surgery or any other drastic ovarian cyst treatment.

The risks, the worrying, the hoping, the doctor visits and all the costs associated with dealing with symptomatic dermoid cysts can make your life a living hell. Question is: after successfully getting rid of the dermoid ovarian cysts, is there a likelihood that they can grow back? Can they return to haunt you down the line?

natural prevention cure for cancerous dermoid cysts

1. What causes dermoid ovarian cysts?

Mayo Clinic makes it clear. The real cause of dermoid ovarian cysts is not known. What medical practitioners know are the factors that increase the likelihood of falling victim to ovarian cysts.

Some of the factors, like genetics, are out of your control. But most are within the realm of your control because they are mostly lifestyle choices. And for as long as they exist, your reproductive system is still at risk of developing dermoid ovarian cysts.

2. Removal of a dermoid cyst solves nothing

Surgical methods of treating ovarian cysts can get rid of existing cysts on ovaries. But they don’t deal with the underlying causes of ovarian cysts. They are therefore “surface level” cures of dermoid cysts.

It therefore doesn’t matter how comprehensive a treatment you undergo. If the underlying cause of dermoid cysts is still existent, and if you are still exposed to the factors that increase your likelihood of developing cysts in your ovaries, dermoid ovarian cysts can always find their way back into your ovaries. Dermoid ovarian cyst removal through surgery does not prevent the cyst recurrence.

3. Birth control pills and dermoid ovarian cyst recurrence

Doctors sometimes recommend birth control pills as a way to prevent the development or growth of cysts on ovaries. This is usually based on the theory that the growth of ovarian cysts are tied to the menstrual cycle and its hormones. And since birth control pills can interfere with the cycles of the female reproductive system, it can also come in handy in helping to keep ovarian cysts from coming back or growing.

This is a flawed method of preventing or treating ovarian cysts. Here is why:

a)the ineffectiveness of birth control pills

They sometimes work. They work because functional cysts develop in women who are ovulating. Without ovulation, functional cysts have no opportunity to form in a woman’s ovaries. As Mayo Clinic puts it: ” Anything that makes ovulation less frequent reduces your chance of developing an ovarian cyst. Birth control pills, pregnancy, and breast-feeding in the first 6 months following birth prevent ovulation. Ovulation ceases when menopause is complete.”

The theory is sound. There are even cases where women have found some success both in preventing ovarian cysts from coming back and managing the symptoms of ovarian cysts. But exactly how effective are birth control pills? What do research studies show?

” combined oral contraceptives appear to be of no benefit.”

This was a study of studies. a group of researchers studied the research work and studies done by other scientists. The data gathered was from 686 women who had agreed to participate in studies aimed at determining the effectiveness of birth control pills in helping to get rid of ovarian cysts. What they found out was that contraceptives didn’t help.

” Although widely used for treating functional ovarian cysts, combined oral contraceptives appear to be of no benefit. Watchful waiting for two or three cycles is appropriate.” That was their conclusion.

b)birth control pill side effects

If the goal is to get rid of ovarian cyst symptoms and to get better, then birth control pills aren’t the best alternative. Why? Because they have a host of their own side effects which can sometimes turn out to be worse than those of ovarian cysts.

Using them as a way of preventing ovarian cysts is not sustainable. Why? Because it may mean that you will always have to be on birth control pills.

Remember that list, above, of the things that can help to prevent ovulation? Being told to use birth control pills as a way of preventing cyst formation is more or less like being told to get pregnant or breast feed or go into menopause if you want to prevent ovarian cysts from  forming in your ovaries. It just doesn’t make sense!

c)these are dermoid cysts, not functional ovarian cysts

Functional ovarian cysts develop when something in the egg-releasing process doesn’t go as planned. It is the reason for their name “functional” – they develop in the course of the normal functioning of the female reproductive system.

It is one of the reasons why some women have had positive results using birth control pills to either prevent ovarian cysts from coming back or manage symptoms of ovarian cysts.

The development of dermoid cysts in the ovaries has nothing to do with the menstrual cycle. They develop because for some reason, a germ cell gets trapped in the ovaries. It has absolutely nothing to do with the hormonal changes of a woman’s menstrual cycle.

This means only one thing. It means that you can pump you body full of a combination of as many birth control pills as you want, but it won’t do you any good so far as preventing dermoid cysts from growing back goes.

4. A reason not to worry about dermoid cyst growing back

Can dermoid ovarian cysts grow back? Yes they can.

But they rarely do. Studies put the risks of having a dermoid ovarian cyst recurrence at 4.2%. This is good news since 4% is a very small number.

Look at it this way: if you have gotten rid of the dermoid cysts in your ovaries, there is a 96% chance that they won’t show up again.

5. Reducing the risks of dermoid ovarian cyst returning

There is a 4.2% chance of recurrence after a cyst removal. But to reduce the risks even further, it is important that you reduce your exposure to factors that encourage the development of cysts in ovaries. You should try natural methods of preventing ovarian cysts. They are effective in preventing recurrence of cystic growths mainly because they deal with the root cause of the problem – the things that make your body prone to ovarian cysts.

dermoid ovarian cyst prevention

ovarian teratoma cysts on ovaries

Do dermoid cysts have to be removed?

Dermoid cysts are unwanted growths in the ovary. They contain things like teeth, skin, hair and even pieces of organs that are sometimes functional. Question is, is the surgical removal of dermoid ovarian cysts necessary? Is it a must? Is it worth the trouble?

If only surgical removal were free of health risks

something to kow about dermoid ovarian cyst removal through surgery

It might have been a no-brainer if it were possible to get rid of the cysts without surgery. Of course they are abnormal growths. And who knows what they can do when left alone?

But intrusive surgery, however minimal it may be, is all there is.  And cutting up and opening up a human being carries a number of risks. There is the pain associated with the surgery, the medications, the risks of infection and even the possibility of accidents that can end up messing with the way your body functions.

An alternative to dermoid ovarian cyst removal

something to kow about dermoid ovarian cyst removal through surgery

Once you realize that you have a dermoid ovarian cyst, removal of the cyst through surgery should therefore not be the first step. Why? Because surgery is no joke. And sometimes the risks involved are not worth it – not because your health doesn’t matter but because there might be a better way. A hassle-free way that may guarantee your health while  also shielding your reproductive system from the potential dangers of surgery – like damage to your organs.

The wait and see approach to treating dermoid ovarian cysts

something to kow about dermoid ovarian cyst removal through surgery

It’s really not a treatment. It isn’t a cure. But it is an approach that has proven effective in helping women with ovarian cysts to keep their sanity and preserve their health.

This approach of managing dermoid ovarian cysts involves letting the cysts be and then watching them to see what happens. It is a strategy that has proven to be effective time and time again because it is rooted on solid scientific/medical dermoid ovarian cyst research studies.

Why the wait-and-see dermoid cyst treatment works

something to kow about dermoid ovarian cyst removal through surgery

Dermoid cysts are usually small. They also have super-slow growth rates which means that over the years, they rarely grow to worrisome sizes. It is because of these characteristics that most women with dermoid ovarian cysts rarely realize that they have them. And what is even better is that the cysts on ovaries have a habit of being reluctant when it comes to causing ovarian cyst symptoms.

All this usually adds up to dermoid ovarian cysts being cystic growths that are too small to interfere with the functioning of the female reproductive system.

Which brings us to the main question: why intervene and put your reproductive health at risk when your reproductive system has no quarrels with the cysts? Why put your body under the stress of surgery when you aren’t suffering from any ovarian cyst symptoms.

A fool-proof alternative to surgical removal of dermoid ovarian cysts

something to kow about dermoid ovarian cyst removal through surgery

Leading medical practitioners advice that under these circumstances, you should leave the dermoid cysts alone.

Of course there is always a chance that they may develop into large cysts. That is why your doctor will be there to monitor ovarian teratoma’s growth.

With the average size of dermoid ovarian cysts being less than 4 inches (10cm) and their  average growth rate at 1-2mm a year, you have little to worry about under these circumstances. Especially if you take time to eat healthy and reduce exposure to risk factors associated with the occurrence of ovarian cysts.

natural prevention cure for cancerous dermoid cysts

Dermoid ovarian cyst complications and surgical intervention

something to kow about dermoid ovarian cyst removal through surgery

Dermoid ovarian cyst complications? The chances of that happening are slim. Ovarian cyst rupture has a less than 1% chance of taking place, ovarian torsion usually occurs in 3-11% of ovarian teratoma cases, and infections occur in less than 1% of reported dermoid cyst in ovary cases. The risks of the dermoid cyst turning malignant is also small.

But this does not mean that complications don’t happen.

Dermoid cysts sometimes grow into large cysts. They sometimes rupture, be it because of overgrowing their enclosure or physical trauma. They also sometimes lead to infections of the reproductive system. And they sometimes contain traces of cancerous cells.

When this happens, surgery may be necessary. In some cases, especially when the symptoms of dermoid cysts become severe, immediate medical attention is a must.

natural prevention cure for cancerous dermoid cysts

ovarian teratoma and conception pregnancy complications

Can a dermoid ovarian cyst cause infertility?

Dermoid cysts sometimes grow in the ovaries. And given that ovaries play a central role when it comes to conception, the question that every woman with the cysts asks is: can dermoid ovarian cysts affect their ability to get pregnant? And, do they affect pregnancy?

Normal dermoid ovarian cysts and infertility

Do dermoid ovarian cysts cause infertility?

Dermoid cysts are usually small. They also grow slowly. This makes for cystic growths whose presence is rarely noticed by the female reproductive system. It is for this reason that these cysts on ovaries tend to be asymptomatic – rarely cause ovarian cyst symptoms – and are often discovered incidentally.

Given the fact that they are usually too small to bother the functioning of a woman’s reproductive system, there is really no reason to assume that they can cause infertility or make it harder for a woman to get pregnant.

According to Mayo Clinic, in an article by Mary M. Gallenberg, M.D., ” … dermoid cysts aren’t associated with infertility.” The only exception provided being cases where the cysts on ovaries become very large.

In a study reported in the American Academy of Family Physicians, 32% of the women in the study managed to get pregnant in spite of having dermoid cysts in their ovaries. A significant number of women with dermoid cysts in their ovaries were also able to give birth in this study.

Therefore, normal dermoid cysts that don’t have accelerated growth, that don’t develop complications, and which are not cancerous – and therefore don’t require surgery – are not detrimental so far as getting pregnant is concerned.

Large dermoid cysts and getting pregnant


Can large ovarian cysts cause infertility?

There are times when dermoid ovarian cysts grow faster than usual. They can therefore become too large to go unnoticed. This will give rise to some of the symptoms generally associated with ovarian cysts. A woman with large dermoid cysts is therefore likely to experience most of  the symptoms of ovarian cysts like heaviness, abdominal/pelvic pain, breast tenderness and an increase in the frequency of the need to urinate.

But that is not all that a large dermoid cyst can do to the human body. When the cysts becomes too large, they affect the functioning of the reproductive system. They can form physical barriers that make it impossible for fertilization to take place or they can affect the functioning of the ovaries and sometimes even the entire female reproductive system.

Take the case of a 57 year old woman whose case was reported in the Journal of Medical Case Reports. She had a large ovarian cyst, but she didn’t know. And even when the cystic growth grew to such an extent that it caused her to have difficulty breathing and even increased her weight, she didn’t suspect a thing. It was only after paying a visit to the doctor that she realized the source of her discomfort and the damage that the large cyst had done. According to LiveScience, the ovarian cyst “… was so big that it had shoved her uterus to the side, squished her abdominal contents and extended all the way up to her diaphragm.”

Her’s was an extreme case. And the cyst on her ovary wasn’t a dermoid cyst. And her’s is also an extreme and extra-rare case of large ovarian cysts. But it gives you a sense of the damage that ovarian cysts, including dermoid cysts, can do to the human body when they grow out of control.


Dermoid ovarian torsion and infertility

ovarian teratoma and pregnancy

Ovarian torsion, which is a fancy word for the twisting of the ovaries, is the most common complication in women with dermoid cysts. So, can it affect the ability of a woman to conceive?

What ovarian torsion does is that it restricts blood flow to the ovaries. This means that at the onset of this complication, oxygen and nutrient supply to ovarian tissues is usually limited. Over time, this can lead to damaged ovarian tissues. It can also cause a woman’s ovary to completely die.

Ovaries produce the eggs that are needed for conception. They are also responsible for the production of pregnancy hormones. Therefore, if you have a damaged ovary in your reproductive system, the chances of getting pregnant will significantly reduce. This complication will cause difficulty in getting pregnant.

Dermoid ovarian cyst rupture and infertility

ovarian teratoma and pregnancy

There is a 1-4% risk of a dermoid ovarian cyst rupturing. This is a serious condition that usually demands immediate medical attention because in addition to the severe abdominal and pelvic pain that results from the cyst burst, there is also an increased risk of infection. This usually occurs because of the fluid that is released into the female reproductive system after the rupture.

This infection can lead to many complications. Some of them can cause getting pregnant problems. For example, if the infection causes scarring, it may end up blocking the fallopian tubes. This may make it impossible for conception to occur. Scarring may also lead to pregnancy complications. An ectopic pregnancy is one of these.

Dermoid cysts, ovarian cancer and infertility

ovarian teratoma and pregnancy

If traces of cancerous cells are detected in a dermoid ovarian cyst, removal of the cyst on ovary may be necessary. And to avoid the spread of the cancer, doctors may also decide to remove the ovaries.

If the surgical removal of a woman’s ovary is necessary to avoid the spread of cancer cells, then this will reduce her chances of getting pregnant. If both ovaries are removed, then this may lead to permanent infertility.

This does not however mean that every case of dermoid ovarian cyst malignancy needs to end with the infertility. It is possible to remove dermoid cysts that show signs of cancer without damaging the ovaries.

Surgical removal of dermoid ovarian cysts and infertility


This may be necessary in cases where the ovarian teratoma is growing out of control. It may also be necessary in order to prevent the spread of cancer to other parts of the female reproductive system. Some of the rare complications of dermoid ovarian cysts may also make this necessary.

Whichever the case, surgical removal of the cystic growths puts your fertility at risk.

Doubled risk of infertility because of dermoid cysts

Dermoid ovarian cysts have a tendency of growing in both ovaries – at least in 10-15% of the cases. This puts both ovaries at risk when any of the above complications arise.

Answer to: Can a dermoid cyst cause infertility?

ovarian teratoma and pregnancy

The answer is: yes it can.

But this is not always the case.

It only does so when it grows to such an extent that it starts interfering with the functioning of the female reproductive system. Or when complications arise.

Most ovarian teratomas (dermoid cysts) are small in size. The risks of complications arising because of the cysts are slim. Therefore, if you have dermoid ovarian cysts, the odds are in your favor.There is a good chance that you can still get pregnant.

natural prevention cure for cancerous dermoid cysts

do dermoid ovarian cysts cause ovarian cancer

Can A Dermoid Ovarian Cyst Be Cancerous? (Do they cause ovarian cancer?)

Dermoid ovarian cysts are ugly to look at – all the teeth, hair, eyes, blood and skin that they potentially contain does not make for an appealing sight. The question however is; does this ugliness extend to the symptoms that the cystic growths cause. And more specifically, can they lead to ovarian cancer?

Dermoid ovarian cysts and ovarian cyst symptoms

dermoid cysts on ovaries pelvic pain and abdominal pain

Understand this: the fact that dermoid ovarian cysts, also known as ovarian teratomas, look scary does not mean that they cause the worst of symptoms of ovarian cysts. In fact, it is the opposite. These ugly looking cysts, that are sometimes called ovarian teratomas, rarely show any ovarian cyst symptoms.

Their appearance has more to do with the way that they develop and less with the damage that they can do to the female reproductive system.

Dermoid cysts form germ cells that have the ability to develop into any tissues be it skin, teeth, eyes, thyroid tissues, fat tissues and tissues of different organs. There are even cases of the cysts containing functioning organ parts. And while this might sound all scary and threatening. It is usually not.

What works to the advantage of dermoid cysts on ovaries is the fact that they grow at a slower rate. Them being usually small in size is but a bonus. They therefore tend to be all bark with no bite – at least most of the time.

Dermoid ovarian cysts and cancer

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The same goes for ovarian cancer complications. The chances of dermoid cysts being malignant are very slim. In fact, studies show that about 98% of all dermoid cysts are benign. And 2% is an ultra-narrow window.

So, if you have dermoid ovarian cysts, you needn’t worry  a lot. The chances of the cystic growth being non-cancerous stand at 98%. Those are pretty good odds.

The chances of you ending up with ovarian cancer are even slimmer if you haven’t yet slipped to the postmenopausal league. This is because the 2% malignancy rate is made up of women who are already past menopause.

What makes a dermoid cyst turn cancerous

According WebMD, doctors don’t really know what causes malignancy in dermoid ovarian cysts. They may have theories and suspicions. They may have an idea of the risk factors. But they really don’t know what exactly is responsible for the 2% of dermoid cyst cases that end up in ovarian cancer. This is unfortunate.

Difficulty in detecting malignancy in ovarian teratomas

The fact that it is difficult to detect signs of cancer in a dermoid ovarian cyst is no secret. According to Radiopaedia, this has to do with the fact that the cancerous cells only form part of the cyst. Therefore, before surgery, knowing whether a dermoid cyst is cancerous or not is almost impossible unless the cancer spreads to adjacent tissues.

In a 24-year study that was carried out on 6 patients at Velindre Cancer Center in the UK, only one out of the 6 was suspected of having ovarian cancer after medical tests but before surgery. Surgery was necessary to discover the cancer in the ovaries of the other 5 patients. MRI scans, CT scans and ultrasound scans weren’t super-helplful in helping to distinguish between a malignant dermoid cyst and a benign one.

Fertility-safe removal of dermoid ovarian cysts is possible 

According to an Australia New Zealand gynaecological oncology group (ANZGOG) and gynaecologic cancer intergroup (GCIG) study, the fact that a woman develops cancerous dermoid cysts does not mean that she has to lose her ovaries. In the study,  there were 4 women who had good outcomes from fertility-sparing surgery.


Dermoid ovarian cysts that turn cancerous are rare, very rare. If you have dermoid cysts, there is a 98% chance that the cysts are benign.

natural prevention cure for cancerous dermoid cysts

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