Yellow cyst in pregnancy

A yellow cyst during pregnancy is formed instead of the corpus luteum, which develops in the ovary after ovulation.

The functional duties of the corpus luteum are the production of progesterone, which creates conditions in the female body for the onset and normal course of pregnancy. If conception does not occur, the activity of the corpus luteum weakens, and it should gradually regress and disappear at the end of the monthly cycle.

If conception has been successful, the corpus luteum continues to synthesize the hormone for another 12 weeks, after which the placenta will take over this function. However, this does not always happen: according to statistics, in 5% of patients the corpus luteum does not undergo involution and continues to exist as a cyst.

Causes of Corpus Luteum Cyst During Pregnancy

The development of the corpus luteum occurs in four stages:

• At the first stage, the cells of the follicle that burst (immediately after ovulation) multiply;
• at the second stage, the cells grow into the vascular tissue;
• at the third stage, hormonal blossoming occurs, the corpus luteum increases to two centimeters, and it begins to produce the necessary hormones;
• At the fourth stage, the formation reverses, the cells regress and are completely replaced by connective tissue.

The corpus luteum must exist for about 14 days, and if conception is successful, its function, in addition to synthesizing hormones, is also to regulate contractions of the uterus and fallopian tubes.

Cystic formation of the corpus luteum can develop both in the postovulatory period and during pregnancy. The cause may be a disorder of blood flow and lymphatic drainage of tissues in the appendage area.

The formation of a cyst can be facilitated by the use of certain medications (in particular, hormonal agents, contraceptives), excessive physical and stressful overloads, poor nutrition (long-term sitting on limited diets, lack of food), inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs (in particular, sexually transmitted infections) affecting the appendages. Endocrine disorders can be added to the listed factors: malfunctions of the thyroid gland and pituitary gland.

Another version of the causes of cyst formation is a congenital factor, when a woman has a tendency to cyst formation since birth. The trigger in this case can be a hormonal surge during pregnancy or inflammatory reactions in the appendages.

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Symptoms of Corpus Luteum Cyst During Pregnancy

Cystic neoplasm of the corpus luteum often occurs without any obvious symptoms. Only in some cases, large cysts can put pressure on nearby organs and tissues, causing abdominal pain with possible irradiation to the lumbar region.

Cysts are often discovered by chance during a routine ultrasound. Rare signs that a woman may notice are the following:

• an uncomfortable feeling of pressure, heaviness in the lower abdomen, to the right or left of the umbilical area;
• the pain becomes more pronounced when walking or running at a fast pace, during sexual contact, or sudden bends or turns of the body.

More pronounced symptoms usually appear when complications of the disease develop.

• Twisting or compression of the nerves and vessels that innervate and nourish the appendages. This situation can develop as a result of excessive physical activity with large cystic formations. The condition is accompanied by colic in the groin area, dyspeptic disorders, cold sweat, weakness and dizziness, hypotension.
• Rupture of a cystic formation. Rarely occurs with a corpus luteum cyst, since the formation has a fairly thick capsule. The condition is accompanied by sharp pains in the areas of the ovaries, a semi-fainting state, nausea, and dizziness.
• Internal hemorrhage. If the cyst is localized in the area of the vessel, blood may leak into the ovarian cavity, as well as into the abdominal cavity (ovarian apoplexy). The state of health with such a complication depends on the amount of blood lost. This may be drowsiness, inhibited reactions, paleness and cyanosis of the skin, decreased pressure, tachycardia.

Such conditions require urgent medical intervention and hospitalization.

Diagnosis of Corpus Luteum Cyst During Pregnancy

Diagnosis of cystic formation, in addition to careful questioning of the patient, includes:

• examination by a gynecologist - a lump in the appendage area of the uterus is determined by palpation;
• ultrasound – examination of abdominal organs – allows you to see an echogenic volumetric neoplasm and clarify its size;
• laparoscopic diagnostic method is the most informative method and can be used simultaneously for both diagnostics and tumor removal;
• hormonal studies – thanks to the tests, it is possible to identify imbalances in a woman’s hormonal background;
• other laboratory tests aimed at finding the infection that caused the inflammatory processes in the appendages.

On an individual basis, a consultation with a surgeon or reproductive specialist may be required.

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Treatment of corpus luteum cyst during pregnancy

Treatment tactics when a cystic formation of the corpus luteum is detected during pregnancy may differ. Often, the doctor simply observes the cyst for 3 months.

A yellow cyst does not pose a threat to either the baby or the patient, and most often does not affect the course of pregnancy itself. However, it must be monitored, monitoring its growth using ultrasound. If the cyst has a persistent tendency to increase, the doctor may decide to perform surgery to avoid complications in the future.

However, in most cases, such cysts self-liquidate by the 20th week of gestation, when progesterone production completely covers the placental membrane. Even in situations where pregnancy occurred against the background of an already existing yellow cyst, the formation should stop on its own by the time the placenta is finally formed.

If the cyst has not involuted, surgical treatment may be prescribed. This treatment is also used in situations with rupture and twisting of the cystic formation.

The laparoscopic method of surgical intervention is a gentle operation that can be performed even during pregnancy. The formation is removed through three small punctures (approximately 1.5 cm) of the anterior abdominal wall. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. The trauma of the operation is so low that the patient can be discharged home the next day.

Pregnant women who have had a cystectomy usually receive additional treatment to help maintain the pregnancy.

Prevention of Corpus Luteum Cysts During Pregnancy

Since the factors that lead to the development of cystic formation of the corpus luteum during pregnancy have not yet been thoroughly studied, there are no specific methods for preventing the disease.

General principles of preventive measures can be aimed at reducing physical activity, strengthening the body in general, maintaining immunity, and stable hormonal levels.

• During pregnancy, it is necessary to avoid physical activity, especially on the body and anterior abdominal wall;
• exclude physical therapy, thermal effects on the abdominal area, mud and other wraps;
• avoid active sun exposure, visiting saunas, and solariums;
• eat right, avoid mono-diets, eat enough vegetables and greens, drink clean water;
• avoid stress, psycho-emotional tension, take care of your nervous system, walk more in the fresh air, do not overwork yourself.

If you feel any unusual discomfort in the ovarian area, be sure to tell your attending physician about it and visit an ultrasound room to remove any suspicions.

The prognosis for a corpus luteum cyst during pregnancy is very favorable. Regular visits to a gynecologist are a guarantee that a corpus luteum cyst during pregnancy will not progress, but will reverse itself, as it should be in a healthy female body.