Ovarian cyst surgery, do you have to remove the uterus? this is the explanation

Ovarian cysts are one of the most common health problems in women. Cysts are actually not a serious problem because they can go away on their own, but your doctor may advise you to remove the cysts so they don't develop malignant. The next question in the minds of many women is, does the ovarian cyst surgery procedure also require removal of the uterus?

How do cysts form on the ovaries?

Cysts are sac-shaped growths filled with fluid. If a cyst grows in the ovary, it is known as an ovarian cyst. Every woman can have this cyst, especially women who still have menstruation every month.

This is because the cyst develops from a follicle containing egg cells which will burst once a month or experience shedding due to failure to be fertilized. Follicles that fail to burst will form cysts over time.

Ovarian cysts generally go away on their own and cause no symptoms. Your doctor can also prescribe birth control pills to shrink the cyst while reducing the risk of new cysts forming.

However, in some cases, the cyst can get bigger, causing complaints such as abdominal pain, bloating, and abdominal swelling. If your condition is not getting better and the cyst is getting bigger, your doctor will recommend that you undergo ovarian cyst surgery.

There are two types of ovarian cyst surgery

Ovarian cyst surgery should be done when the cyst lump does not go away and continues to grow. This operation aims to prevent complications or prevent the cyst from developing into cancer.

There are two types of surgery for ovarian cysts, namely laparoscopy and laparotomy. Laparoscopy is a procedure that involves cutting a cyst with a special instrument in the shape of an elastic tube that is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. Meanwhile, the incisions made by the doctor during a laparotomy procedure will usually be larger and deeper for easier access when removing the cyst. Whichever procedure you have, the incision will then be closed with stitches.

Does ovarian cyst surgery also need to remove the uterus?

Reporting from the NHS Choice, ovarian cyst surgery performed using the laparoscopic technique does not require removal of the uterus because it aims only to remove the cyst. However, in some cases, surgery requires the doctor to remove one of the ovaries so that only one ovary is left. The remaining ovaries can still release the hormones estrogen and progesterone and produce eggs normally. It's just that, as a consequence you are likely to find it more difficult to get pregnant.

If you are advised to undergo a laparotomy, it is likely that both your ovaries and uterus will also need to be removed. The reason is, a laparotomy is a procedure to remove a cyst that has developed into cancer. This removal of the reproductive organs is done to prevent cancer cells from growing to eat away at your body. If both of your ovaries and uterus are removed along with the cyst, you will not be able to get pregnant again.

However, the doctor also needs to consider other things before deciding that your uterus should also be removed. If you haven't experienced menopause, your doctor will try to keep your uterus and ovaries intact so that your fertility will not be affected. You can still plan pregnancy and have children.

The choice of ovarian cyst surgery procedure performed depends on the health condition and the type of cyst. So, not all cyst removal operations will cause a woman to lose her uterus.