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Overview
They are also sometimes called “chocolate cysts” because they often have thick, dark blood inside them. If cysts and adhesions affect the function of a woman’s ovaries and fallopian tubes, she will often have fertility problems too. Severe endometriosis can therefore sometimes prevent women from getting pregnant. But it's not clear ... more...
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Overview
Most women who have ovarian cysts don’t know that they have them. But some cysts cause dull pain in the lower abdomen (pelvic pain). Ovarian cysts can also lead to problems with the menstrual cycle, such as heavy or irregular periods, or spotting (abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods). more...
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Research summaries
Overall, about 14 out of 1,000 women develop ovarian cancer at some point in their lives. About 10 out of 1,000 women die of it. Abnormal tissue can sometimes be felt by a doctor during a pelvic exam using their hands. more...
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The human body
Single or multiple hollow sacs (cysts) may develop in the ovaries. These are often filled with blood. Bleeding can also occur in the fallopian tubes or in the ligaments that hold the uterus in place in the pelvis. If the ligaments become twisted, it can affect the supply of blood to the fallopian tubes or ovaries. more...
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Learn more
Research suggests that laparoscopic surgery to remove visible endometrial implants and cysts in women with severe endometriosis can increase their chances of getting pregnant naturally. There is also some evidence that surgically removing endometrial implants from the ovaries increases the chances of becoming pregnant too. more...
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Learn more
Some women with endometriosis have higher levels of CA125 in their blood. But measuring this value or doing other blood tests doesn't help to get a clearer diagnosis or to clearly rule out endometriosis. So these values aren't that relevant for further decisions, and they usually aren't used in the diagnosis of endometriosis nowadays. more...
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Research summaries
Endometriosis develops when the kind of tissue that lines the womb (endometrium) starts to grow elsewhere in the abdomen. If these areas of endometrial tissue ("endometrial implants") cause severe pain or affect fertility, some women choose to have surgery. Surgery aims to remove as many visible endometrial implants as possible. Some doctors ... more...
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Videos
More serious menstrual problems may be the cause of severe lower belly pain and cramps. If these symptoms are also accompanied by pain during sex, bowel problems, nausea and vomiting, or painful urination, they might be caused by endometriosis. You can watch this film to find out more about what endometriosis is and what the treatment options ... more...
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Real-life stories
I've had several operations, mainly to remove cysts. I could feel the cysts every month. But I didn’t have a big problem with pain. I have hardly needed painkillers recently. My biggest problem was the fatigue and lack of energy. But that was mainly only a problem during my periods. I was lucky in that respect: the symptoms I had only arose ... more...
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Real-life stories
A doctor once told me that this kind of pain is often a psychological issue, particularly in women who are career-driven and uncomfortable with their femininity. That stuck in my mind. I thought it was all in my head. During one conversation he mentioned that I also had cysts, which I was treated for. I guess that should have made my ears prick up. more...
