Are you pregnant and have recently been diagnosed with a dermoid cyst? Then, you might worry whether the dermoid cyst is a failed pregnancy.
Dermoid cysts are non-cancerous lumps of tissues that are present in a woman’s ovaries. It is usually diagnosed when a woman undergoes an ultrasound scan, often during pregnancy.
This is also the reason why most women confuse a dermoid cyst with a failed pregnancy. They think that the dermoid cyst in the scan is their fetus that failed to develop properly.
In this article, we will understand what a dermoid cyst and a failed pregnancy are and clear the air regarding the confusion surrounding it.
Is A Dermoid Cyst A Failed Pregnancy?
No, a dermoid cyst is not a failed pregnancy, and both are entirely different from each other. A dermoid cyst is a benign, non-cancerous growth in your ovaries that develops during embryo development.
It will be present in your body since birth and forms when a tissue structure mistakenly develops in your ovary instead of its original location. It usually contains tissues like skin, hair, nails, teeth, etc.
A failed pregnancy, on the other hand, is an embryo or fetus that failed to develop into a baby. You can also call a failed pregnancy a miscarriage. This happens when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but fails to develop properly and dies after some time.
Sometimes, you might have a dermoid cyst while being pregnant. You don’t need to worry whether it will interfere with your pregnancy. Most women have had successful pregnancies even with dermoid cysts, and they do not disturb pregnancy as long as they are stable and do not grow in size.
Diagnostic Methods For Dermoid Cysts
Most dermoid cysts are asymptomatic and are only found when you take a diagnostic test. Even for the diagnosis, you will not be undergoing the procedure to find a dermoid cyst.
You will most likely be asked to undergo the procedure for some other procedure and will find the cyst accidentally. Below are some effective diagnostic procedures that can help you identify dermoid cysts in your ovaries.
1. Imaging Techniques (Ultrasound, MRI)
Imaging techniques such as ultrasound and MRI can help you get a clear view of dermoid cysts.
In an ultrasound, you can identify the cyst through both abdominal and transvaginal ultrasounds. Dermoid cysts have a distinct appearance and can be identified clearly in an ultrasound.
If the cysts cannot be identified in an ultrasound, you can undergo MRI scans to get a clear picture of the dermoid cyst’s size, structure, and appearance. An MRI also helps you distinguish between dermoid cysts and other cysts, which an ultrasound might fail to detect sometimes.
2. Physical Examination
It is difficult to identify a dermoid cyst during a physical examination. However, your doctor can identify a cyst of a tissue structure in your ovaries and send you for an ultrasound or MRI to identify the type of cyst.
During physical examination, your doctor will feel around the area and identify if there is any smooth bulge or a painless mass in the ovary.
Diagnostic Methods For Failed Pregnancies
Below are some diagnostic procedures you can undergo to identify a failed pregnany or miscarriage.
1. Ultrasound Findings
If you feel like you have a miscarriage, you can visit your doctor and undergo an ultrasound procedure. This will give you a clear image of your fetus and tell you if you are still pregnant or not.
2. Hormone Levels (hCG)
A home urine pregnancy test or a blood test are other easy ways to identify if you had a miscarriage. After a failed pregnancy, your hCG hormone levels will start to decline gradually.
If you take a pregnancy test now, you will most likely get a negative result. You can then visit your doctor and identify if you had a miscarriage.
Key Differences In Symptoms
As discussed earlier, dermoid cysts and failed pregnancies are entirely different. So, their symptoms are also different.
Here is a breakdown of the symptoms you might feel when you have a dermoid cyst and when you have a failed pregnancy. This can help you understand if you had a failed pregnancy or not.
Dermoid cyst symptoms
Dermoid cysts often do not cause any notable symptoms (the reason why they are not identified in most cases). Some symptoms they might cause if they grow big are
- Slight pain
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- A visible lump in your abdomen
- Numbness or weakness (if they are pressing on a nerve)
Failed pregnancy symptoms
A failed pregnancy can cause symptoms like
- Vaginal bleeding,
- Abdominal pain, and
- Cramping.
Having your menstrual bleeding with the expulsion of endometrial tissue and the dead fetus is the main sign of a failed pregnancy.
Impact Of Dermoid Cysts On Fertility
Dermoid cysts usually do not affect a woman’s fertility. The only cases in which they might affect your fertility are when they grow larger in size in your ovaries and affect the egg follicles or other structures.
In some cases, the dermoid cyst might rupture and release its contents into the ovary, affecting the egg follicles and creating blockages in the fallopian tubes. This can potentially affect your fertility and chances of pregnancy.
Risks And Considerations During Pregnancy
Dermoid cysts have not been known to affect pregnancy very much. There are also cases where women with dermoid cysts have become pregnant and given birth to healthy babies.
You need to discuss this with your doctor and take the necessary precautions to safeguard your pregnancy.
Why It's best to consult with Fertility hospital
A dermoid cyst usually does not affect pregnancy. However, suppose it is bigger than usual or is in a state of rupture. In that case, you need an assitance of a fertility hospital with expert medical professionals to control the issue and sustain your pregnancy.
Conclusion
Dermoid cysts are common and can occur in any woman. It is not a serious health condition and is treatable. If you are pregnant and have been diagnosed with a dermoid cyst, don’t panic.
Discuss with your fertility doctor, follow their advice, and follow a healthy lifestyle for a safe pregnancy.
Yes, it is possible to become pregnant and give birth to a healthy baby while carrying a dermoid cyst. However, you should see your doctor and take the necessary steps to avoid issues such as miscarriage.
Yes, in about 70% of cases, dermoid cysts are congenital, meaning they develop before birth when you are just a developing embryo. These cysts are sometimes discovered during childhood or adulthood when you undergo an ultrasound check.
No, a dermoid cyst does not indicate an ectopic pregnancy. A dermoid cyst is a benign ovarian cyst that develops in your ovaries when germ cells grow abnormally instead of their original location.
