Benign Ovarian Tumors 🆚 Egg Retrieval
Women with benign ovarian cysts often ask:
Before egg retrieval, is surgery needed first to treat the ovarian cyst?
This is because they worry that part of the ovarian tissue may be removed during surgery.
They are also concerned that electrocautery used for bleeding control during surgery may damage the ovary, lower AMH levels, and further affect the number, quality, and outcome of eggs retrieved in the future.
This week, I had two patients entering treatment.
One was 33 years old and had a 5 cm chocolate cyst in the right ovary. Her AMH was 4.2.
The other was 35 years old and had a 6.5 cm teratoma in the left ovary. Her AMH was 5.1.
Before egg retrieval, aside from ovarian stimulation medication, I did not give either patient any additional medication or surgical treatment.
However, during ovarian stimulation, even the ovaries on the side with the tumor responded well.
They produced a sufficient number of follicles, and mature eggs were also successfully retrieved.
The only thing I needed to pay attention to during egg retrieval was to avoid puncturing the tumor area on the ovary.
Afterward, these eggs were cultured in the laboratory and were able to fertilize, divide, and develop normally to the blastocyst stage.
Therefore, for younger women with good AMH levels, even if ovarian cysts are present, ovarian stimulation medication can still be used for egg retrieval.
However, in general, the best choice should be made based on each individual’s condition.
It is important to evaluate the impact of the ovarian cyst itself on assisted reproduction success rates, and whether surgery can truly increase the benefit of assisted reproduction treatment.
Yun-I wishes your dreams come true!
