6-7cm ovarian cyst should we do surgery or try to conceive

[Satoru]

My fiancée recently discovered she has a 6-7cm ovarian cyst, it is likely what is called a “chocolate cyst” a symptom of endometriosis (I think).

She has been recommended to do a laparoscopy surgery with a prospective surgery date booked in 3 months time (June). She is 22 years old and we are getting married this summer (late August), we plan to start trying to conceive from the night of our wedding. 😅

I wanted to know if anyone on this forum has any experience of having a large chocolate cyst before conceiving. Does having the cyst surgically removed affect fertility? I would also like to know if there are any people in a similar situation who might be further down the line: in those cases I am curious about experiences on whether it has been difficult to conceive after a cyst removal and if so whether other methods were required such as IVF? Also, it would be useful to hear from anybody that decided not to get surgery and conceive despite having a chocolate cyst beforehand. Thanks!

I had a cyst removed from my left ovary 12 years ago, it was much smaller (about the size of a large conker) and was expected to be removed via keyhole. Unbeknown to me i had endometriosis.

This all came out following years of trying for a baby and was looking at iui.

Within 8 weeks of the cyst removal (keyhole failed), laparoscopy with the test I had a positive pregnancy test with no fertility treatment necessary.

Good luck

How long has she had the cyst?

It sounds like an endometrioma, has she been diagnosed with endometriosis?

The only way to diagnose endometriosis is by a laparoscopy and the cyst will still need to be removed.

if the cyst ruptures she can get sepsis, due to its size and weight of the cyst she could have a torsion and with both potentially lose the ovary.

My best friend has endometriosis, had multiple Endometriomas and had surgery twice to remove the cysts.
The second time she had to pay £5k privately as the nhs wouldn’t operate and then start ivf straight away afterwards.

If you fall pregnant and you have a cyst that size they would probably still want to operate.

If you go for surgery I wouldn’t hang about and just get trying. The consultants are Normally pretty good and will day if there is potential need for ivf If severe endo is diagnosed.

I know you said she is having it removed in June and you plan to start trying in August but please make sure you both take every precaution to not get pregnant before then. Make sure she has it removed first. I had an 8cm cyst found while I was pregnant. They couldn't remove it without risking a miscarriage and then suddenly I was third trimester and baby was too big to get at it. It twisted and caused me excruciating pain. It was worse than labour. I was hospitalized. It was eventually removed after birth and I also lost my ovary as the severe twisting caused lack of blood flow. That would probably not have happened if I had not been pregnant as they could have removed it as soon as it started to twist.

Having said that, I was told even with loss of one ovary, I have no less chance of becoming pregnant. I haven't tested it but have no reason to doubt it!

Havent had a cyst removed as the largest they have found is 4cm on my ovaries, however had a laparoscopy when pregnant and as someone said, it puts you at a high risk of miscarriage. I was lucky i think as i didnt have one, but its definitely a huge risk. (Mine was done due to potential ectopic pregnancy so had to be performed.)

Thank you all for your responses. We will go ahead with the surgery and try to conceive after she has recovered from the surgery! 🤞