Beware of Chocolate Cyst! It Affects 1 in 10 Women

Endometriosis, also known as a chocolate cyst, which is common among women, is the cause of infertility in 30 percent of women. Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar, who stated that it is necessary to be careful especially in surgical treatment, warned, "If the cyst is surgically removed before the woman becomes pregnant or egg collection is performed, it may severely damage the patient's fertility."

Endometriosis (chocolate cyst) affects an average of 1 in 10 women in society. Explaining that chocolate cysts can be seen from the beginning of reproductive age, Yeditepe University Hospitals Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Specialist Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar, provided important information relating to the issue. Reminding that the disease gives symptoms in the form of menstrual pain, especially in young girls, Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar said, "In later ages, it causes complaints in the form of pain during menstruation and intercourse and groin pain. Since chocolate cyst is an estrogen-dependent disease, it is commonly seen in reproductive age, but it can also occur in women who rarely enter menopause. Since chocolate cysts are one of the most important causes of infertility, infertility occurs in 30 percent of women with this problem."

"Endometriosis Can Be Seen Even in the Brain"

Explaining that the treatment approach for chocolate cysts has two goals, to have a baby and to treat pain, Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar stated, "We prefer to wait for a while in women who want to have a baby and have a good ovarian reserve. Because these patients always have the possibility of getting pregnant on their own. However, vaccination treatment is also useful in early-stage chocolate cysts. If no result is obtained, in vitro fertilization treatment is.

Stating that chocolate cysts are formations that can be seen anywhere in the body, Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar stated, "It can be found especially inside the surgical incisions, in the lungs, and even in the brain."

"It is possible to Prevent the Formation of Chocolate Cyst"

Stating that it is important to reduce or stop menstrual bleeding in preventing cyst formation, Prof. Dr. Attar continued as follows "Birth control pills are very useful in controlling. In addition, lifestyle changes such as exercise and dietary changes are also very important in preventing endometriosis. We know that chocolate cysts are less likely in women who exercise regularly."

Pointing out that genetic factors are also effective in the emergence of endometriosis, Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar reminded us that the likelihood of occurrence is high, especially in women with a history of endometriosis in first-degree relatives, and therefore awareness should be increased.

If You Are Planning a Baby, Beware of These Beforehand

Yeditepe University Hospitals Gynecology, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and IVF Specialist Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar, who warned that the surgery of chocolate cysts should be performed very meticulously, continued as follows:

"In patients with low ovarian capacity or reserves, surgery should be avoided as it may damage the ovarian reserves. In these patients, if the woman is not yet married and intends to have a child, we recommend egg-freezing. If the patient is married and wants to have a baby but at the same time has low ovarian reserves, we offer the alternative of IVF treatment and then surgery.

If the chocolate cyst is bilateral and is removed before the patient becomes pregnant or before the eggs are collected, the woman's fertility can be severely impaired. For this reason, surgery should not be performed abruptly, but very carefully by checking the patient's reserves. After this stage, the patient's medical treatment should carry on and she should be monitored continuously. Because it should not be forgotten that the possibility of recurrence of pain and chocolate cyst within 24 months is quite high in patients who do not receive any treatment and control after surgery."