It is a terrible pain to want a child and to have difficulties. I think what is worse is when you have so many questions and so little answers. For example, Why am I not getting pregnant? When a doctor tells you this is normal, that is normal and cannot pinpoint exactly why you are not getting pregnant or why you are miscarrying. It is a large pill to swallow.
Recently, I have been diving into greater research as I speak to persons and listen to their cries. Today, I want to share something on ovarian cysts and whether it can lead to infertility. You see, if we can pinpoint the cause then we can better manage it.
There are several different types of ovarian cysts and from my research, these are the two that are associated with infertility:
1. Endometriomas- are cysts caused by endometriosis, a condition in which the tissue normally lining your uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus. These ovarian cysts may be associated with fertility problems.
Now I have gone through this type, but prior to knowing that I had endometriosis, the doctors were telling me the cysts I had was probably a functional cyst, which is another type not associated with infertility, and it will go away with my period. To be honest, at the end of my period, I will feel less pain and thought that they were right. However, there were times that the pain remains and when I do the ultrasound, I was told that it is hemorrhagic or has ruptured. The treatment was a sit, wait and watch. It was only during my surgery to remove fibroid that endometriosis and the associated cysts were identified. However, many persons are living with endometriosis and do not know because it is not easily identified.To identify endometriosis, a doctor may ask about your medical history, symptoms and menstruation and also do a pelvic exam. I have done numerous and they never found out. What helps to diagnose and even treat endometriosis is a surgical procedure called laparoscopy, which is a surgery that uses a thin, lighted tube put through a cut (incision) in the belly to look at the abdominal organs and pelvic organs. Sadly, many gynaes fail to mention this to you even when you suggest to them the possibility of you having endometriosis. I do not know how much such procedure costs, but I believe in researching and going to your doctor with information. If you have been suffering with ovarian cysts, you have painful (terrible) periods, infertility etc etc, ask a doctor about whether you may have endometriosis and what tests you can do to identify this especially if you have gone through numerous ultrasounds and pelvic exams without any good answers.
2. The second type of cysts that is associated with infertility is Ovarian cysts resulting from polycystic ovary syndrome.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition marked by many small cysts on your ovaries, irregular periods and high levels of certain hormones. PCOS is associated with irregular ovulation, which may contribute to problems such as infertility in some women.
Now I cannot give you my own personal experience with this type, but I know of persons who have it and here are some of the symptoms:
- Few or no menstrual period or heavy irregular bleeding- I know of persons who have not had a period for years because of this or they are not aware when it is coming. In other words, it occurs haphazardly and when it does come, it as if it wants to make up for the missing months by coming for weeks, which is outside the normal 5 days. It also tends to be heavy. Another symptom of PCOS which is very much related to this one, is infertility. A big part of getting pregnant is identifying when you are ovulating and I do not need to explain the issue here with a period that just show up when it feels like or refuse to show up at all.
- Weight gain- This is another major complaint. You do not have to eat a thing for the weight to come and when it does, it does not want to leave. In other words, you may be dieting and exercising and the weight is still there staring you in your face and this may also lead to depression. Still, you need to watch what you eat and also exercise.
- Hair loss and Hair growth- While I have not met many persons with a hair loss problem who have PCOS, I have heard about hair growing thick and long in places other than your head. This again can lead to depression.
There are other symptoms such as acne, breathing problems and oily skin, but the above ones I have mentioned is based on report from a few friends I have spoken to.
Sadly for many of these illnesses, there is no cure. With PCOS, the treatment include having a healthy diet, exercising regularly and quit smoking. Medications include metformin and clomiphene. These are efforts to manage PCOS so that your body can ovulate which can help you to get pregnant. The silver lining is there are people with PCOS that have gotten pregnant and so there is hope. Just the same, persons after treating endometriosis have also gotten pregnant. I am an example of that and so with that I end by saying, Continue to do your research, do not lose hope and trust in God even when everything that you are doing seems to be a waste of time.
