There are circumstances
wherein women might be confused whether they’re having an ovarian cyst or
pregnancy. It may be hard to imagine how an ovarian cyst can be mistaken
for pregnancy; these are to completely different things. However, there
are rare cases that ovarian cysts can resemble pregnancy especially when the
cysts are able to manifest these symptoms:
- Produce human chorionic gonadotropin. Human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG is a hormone that the body produces during the early stages of pregnancy. It’s also the substance that home pregnancy tests detect to diagnose pregnancy. When an ovarian cyst produces hCG, it can produce a false positive in pregnancy tests.
- Delayed and irregular menstrual periods. Ovarian cysts can affect a woman’s hormone levels which can alter her menstrual period. Missed periods caused by ovarian cysts can be mistaken as a pregnancy symptom.
- Produces pregnancy symptoms. The presence of hCG and changes in estrogen and progesterone levels due to ovarian cysts can also produce pregnancy like symptoms such as dizziness, lethargy, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
- Bloated abdomen. Ovarian cysts can grow in size to the point where it can produce a bloated abdomen. The swelling of the abdomen can be mistaken for a baby bump, especially if he woman also has the symptoms listed above.
An ovarian cyst disguised
as a pregnancy is often diagnosed right away, as early as the first “prenatal”
check-up. Doctors can easily distinguish between an ovarian cyst and
pregnancy using blood pregnancy tests and an ultrasound.
The circumstances wherein
an ovarian cyst resembling a pregnancy may be rare, but ovarian cysts are
actually more common than most women think. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs
that grow in the ovaries of women. They can be as small as a pea or can grow
larger than an orange. Most cysts don’t cause any symptoms and go
away on their own. And since most cysts don’t produce any symptoms,
they’re usually diagnosed accidentally, though routine check-ups or while
undergoing an ultrasound for other conditions.
Ovarian Cyst Symptoms
When an ovarian cyst starts
to produce pregnancy symptoms or other symptoms like abdominal discomfort, it
can be a cause for concern. Other symptoms you have to watch out for
include:
- Pelvic pain – a steady or staggered mild to severe pain in the lower back area and may extend down the thighs
- Pain on the lower abdomen, pain arises when the bowel is in pressure or in movement.
- Dyspareunia – (pain during intercourse) specifically on the pelvic area
- Feeling of fullness or heaviness in the abdominal and/or pelvic area.
- Pressure on the bladder that can cause frequent urinating, and difficulties emptying the bladder
- Nausea and vomiting
- Vaginal pain or vaginal spotting.
- Infertility
Large ovarian cysts are
prone to rupturing, bleeding, or pain. It can produce complications like
sepsis and infertility if left undiagnosed and untreated.
Ignoring ovarian cyst
symptoms can be dangerous and potentially lead to serious complications.
You’ll need to see a doctor right away, especially if you have ovarian cysts
with symptoms and you’re also experiencing:
- Severe pain in the abdomen, pelvic or lower back area
- Pain accompanied by fever or vomiting.
- Extreme discomforts that becomes disruptive to everyday activities
These symptoms usually
indicate a ruptured cyst and would require immediate medical attention.
Ovarian cysts can also
happen during pregnancy. In most cases these cysts are harmless and would
disappear on their own in a few weeks without treatment. There are some
cysts that do persist and have to be treated with medication or surgery in
order to save the pregnancy. Worst case scenario, the pregnancy may have
to be terminated in order to save the mother’s life.
Regardless of whether you
have just an ovarian cyst or pregnancy, it’s best to have yourself regularly
checked by your doctor. Treating an ovarian cyst early and taking care of
yourself during your pregnancy are the best ways to stay healthy and prevent
serious health complications in the future.