An ovarian cyst is an unpleasant diagnosis that is most often given to women of reproductive age.
A pathological process occurs for various reasons - irregular menstruation, hormonal imbalance, unhealthy lifestyle.
The only treatment is surgery.
For many patients, the question remains popular: is it possible to have sex with an ovarian cyst.
This will be discussed in this article.
Ovarian cyst and sex
An ovarian cyst is a benign tumor that has a stalk and liquid contents inside. When secretions accumulate, the neoplasm tends to grow. The disease is most often diagnosed in women of productive age, and less often in patients over 50 years of age.
Anatomically, the cyst looks like a thin-walled cavity in the form of a sac. Its diameter can be 15-20 cm.
Sexual activity with an ovarian cyst is possible, but only if the tumor is small in size. In addition, you need to start from the nature, the cause of the development of the pathology and the doctor’s prescriptions. Some experts do not recommend using those poses that cause pressure or heaviness in the lower abdomen.
Expert opinion
Dmitrieva Elena Yurievna
Gynecologist-endocrinologist, 40 years of experience
An ovarian cyst is not an absolute contraindication for sexual activity. But there is a risk during sex, so I make decisions regarding my patients taking into account the size of the cyst, its structure, and also based on ultrasound results. Afterwards, my patients abstain from sexual contact for 1-1.5 months.
What types of formations require sexual intercourse?
In women, two types of cysts are most often diagnosed: follicular and corpus luteum cysts. These two types are functional , as they are formed when the menstrual cycle is disrupted.
Such formations take on small sizes, rarely lead to the development of symptoms and can resolve on their own within 2-4 cycles. Even with safe types of ovarian cysts, you need to be careful and carefully select sexual positions.
When diagnosing this pathological process, doctors do not place restrictions on sexual life. You should refuse it only if a woman experiences discomfort during sex.
NOTE!
Follicular and corpus luteum cysts are safe neoplasms that rarely lead to the development of complications that arise during active frictions.
Which positions are safe?
There are no certain safe sex positions, since you need to rely on the structure of the body.
Such positions are not recommended in which:
- painful sensations occur;
- Abdominal muscles tense;
- accompanied by deep penetration.
During sex, a man should not make strong and active movements, which will lead to the development of severe pain. All movements should be smooth so that the partner does not experience discomfort.
If an ovarian cyst is diagnosed, even anal sex is allowed, but on the condition that there is absolutely no discomfort.
Benefit or harm?
Sex with an ovarian cyst has the following positive qualities:
- Regular sex increases blood circulation in the pelvis . This leads to the restoration of reproductive function and the prevention of many diseases of the genital organs;
- during sex, a man and a woman produce sex hormones that maintain body tone and improve mood;
- in the absence of a regular cycle accompanied by functional cysts, sexual intercourse leads to the onset of menstruation . This is very important, because if the cycle is too long, menstruation is induced artificially, and thanks to sex this process is accelerated. In addition, in the absence of menstruation, the growth of the tumor continued, which complicates therapy.
About the benefits of sex in a woman's life
Sex is an integral part of a healthy woman's life. Dissatisfaction in the intimate sphere has a negative impact on health and creates problems in the social sphere. The following facts speak about the benefits of sex:
- Prevention of depression. Regular sexual intercourse with achieving orgasm improves mood and increases vitality. Dissatisfaction leads to nervousness, irritability and increases the risk of developing depression,
- Strengthening the immune system. Hormones produced during orgasm stimulate the immune system and mobilize the body's resources,
- Keeping the body in good shape. Sexual intercourse will not replace working out in the gym, but it will be an alternative to walking or cardio training,
- Improving the condition of skin and hair. The release of hormones during sex increases skin elasticity, stimulates hair growth and prevents hair loss.
Intimate intimacy has a positive effect on relationships between partners and helps maintain a healthy microclimate in the family. You should not categorically refuse sex even if an ovarian cyst is detected. If precautions are taken, in most cases it is possible to maintain intimate relationships and avoid the development of complications.
Intimate life gives a woman a positive attitude towards fighting the disease. You just need to find the best option for sex with your partner.
Contraindications for sexual intercourse
Sexual relations are allowed only if the ovarian tumor is small. But even so, there are a number of poses that must be avoided. Otherwise, strong pressure is applied to the girl’s lower abdomen.
Sexual activity is contraindicated for women with ovarian cysts if:
- a benign tumor with a diameter of 10 cm or more;
- sex is accompanied by severe pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen.
IMPORTANT!
You should not ignore the above cases, as this will lead to unpleasant consequences, one of which is rupture of the cyst walls.
Some women are not even aware that they have cysts in their bodies. They lead a normal lifestyle and do not experience any unpleasant sensations. Their tumor is discovered only during a routine examination by a doctor.
The unpleasant symptoms that accompany the pathology make themselves felt only after the cyst begins to grow. In this case, the woman experiences aching pain, the intensity of which increases during sex. It is this sign that should prompt a woman to visit a doctor.
Is it possible to play sports with a cyst?
Female representatives experience diseases of intimate places, causing discomfort and unpleasant sensations.
Medicines prescribed by your doctor can help treat the cyst. Be sure to use them only according to the recipe. If you neglect the instructions for use, you can cause severe complications of the disease.
One of the features of cysts is the uniqueness of treatment in each individual case. The attending physician prescribes an individual course of treatment.
Regular sex life helps improve the reproductive system in women. Scientists believe that having sex contributes to the release of hormones, substances that help restore the balance of the emotional and psychological state of the female sex.
To reduce the risk of disease, it is necessary to undergo routine check-ups with a gynecologist.
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The wrong choice of position during sex with a cyst can lead to heavy bleeding, which fills the ovaries and enlarges the capsule.
It is not advisable to have sex with pain. The doctor may prohibit sexual intercourse during treatment or taking medications. It is necessary to completely or partially give up sex for the sake of your health and well-being. It is important not to damage organs or aggravate the disease.
Doctors insist that sex with the disease is strictly prohibited. Hormonal balance and menstrual cycle may be disrupted.
When forecast, avoid physical activity. Especially if the disease is accompanied by pain in the abdomen and pain when urinating. Sports activities are allowed after completing a rehabilitation course. Classes should begin with light exercises so that the body gets used to the load again.
If you have a cyst, it is strictly forbidden to:
- rocking the press;
- running at full speed;
- swing of legs, arms;
- jumping;
- lunges;
- Weightlifting.
It will be better for health if the patient delays exercising and stops going to the gym. Jogging is allowed, but not too strenuous, after a long course of cyst treatment.
Talk to your doctor about this problem, as a specialist will suggest exercises depending on the situation.
Experts involved in the study of cystic neoplasms identify a number of cases in which sex is the main contraindication for women. It is worth paying attention to the fact that sexual relations are allowed only if the ovarian tumor is small in size. But even in this situation, sex positions that place strong pressure on the partner’s lower abdomen should be avoided.
Sex is prohibited for women with ovarian cysts in the following cases:
- A benign neoplasm has grown 10 cm or more in diameter.
- Sexual intercourse is accompanied by severe pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen.
It is worth noting that most women do not even realize that there is a cyst in their body. They lead a normal sex life and do not experience any discomfort. A neoplasm can be detected only during a routine examination by a gynecologist.
Before talking with a specialist, you should stop having intimate relationships so as not to cause harm to your body. It is best to study the picture of the malaise in detail. Only after this is a decision made about whether sex is allowed for a woman or not.
An ovarian cyst entails some restrictions in a woman’s life. They must be taken into account that the disease did not cause serious health problems in the future. Women with a cyst should adhere to certain rules:
- It is strictly forbidden to prescribe hormones on your own. Only a doctor can make a decision about this. If you suspect hormonal imbalances, it is best to visit an endocrinologist.
He will tell you exactly whether there is a need to use such drugs and prescribe the appropriate medicine. It must be remembered that hormonal drugs can harm human health.
- Thermal procedures should not be performed in the lower abdomen. Otherwise, the disease will progress, that is, it will increase in size and may rupture.
- It is not allowed to go to the sauna or take a bath with hot water. These pleasant procedures for cysts may not work out in the best way.
- You should not be in the sun for a long time or sunbathe. If you really want to visit the beach, you need to use an umbrella.
- It is forbidden to overload the body. It is best to avoid intense sports activities; in particular, you should not use your abdominal muscles. You cannot pump the abs, lateral and oblique muscle tissues of the abdomen.
- Do not lift heavy loads.
And most importantly, you should not self-medicate. A woman cannot make a correct diagnosis for herself and decide on taking certain medications. This matter is best left to an experienced specialist. Otherwise, not only will it not be possible to get rid of the cyst, but other pathologies will arise that significantly aggravate the patient’s condition.
Thus, you can have sex with a cyst, but you need to remember some rules. No sex if contact causes pain or there is a large tumor, and it is also necessary to avoid positions that strain the abdominal muscles.
In most cases, sexual activity with ovarian cysts is not prohibited. Strict restriction is recommended in the case of a formation size of 10 cm in diameter and in case of severe pain during sex. You should ask your doctor about the possibility of continuing your intimate life.
It is undesirable to have sexual intercourse if a woman experiences regular discomfort in the lower abdomen - this indicates the growth of the cyst or its large size. In this case, any physical activity can lead to its rupture. Patients with such symptoms are advised to avoid heavy exertion and try to get more rest. At the same time, you should regularly visit your doctor for monitoring. After the symptoms subside, the resumption of intimate life is allowed.
Most often, women develop two types of cysts - follicular and corpus luteum cysts. Both types are functional, that is, occurring when the menstrual cycle is disrupted. They are rarely accompanied by symptoms, dissolving on their own within 2-4 cycles. Such formations are usually small in size.
When diagnosing such a pathology, doctors do not limit sexual life. You should refuse it only if you experience discomfort during sexual intercourse. These cysts are considered harmless and rarely lead to the negative consequences that occur with active friction.
In which it is impossible
The following types of cysts are more dangerous and if they are detected, sexual life is limited:
- dermoid teratoma - a benign formation up to 15 cm in diameter, can only be removed surgically,
- paraovarian - occurs on the epididymis and rests on a stalk; this method of attachment can lead to torsion of the genital organ,
- endometrioma – develops as a consequence of endometriosis, grows up to 12 cm.
When these formations are diagnosed, immediate treatment should be started. The doctor may allow sex with extreme caution, but you should not abuse it.
Complications can occur if you do not follow your doctor’s recommendations or have an overly active sex life. Possible consequences:
- rupture of the cyst - the contents of the burst formation enter the abdominal cavity, which can provoke severe inflammation - peritonitis,
- ovarian torsion – this leads to organ necrosis and requires immediate surgical intervention,
- purulent inflammation - develops when pathogenic microflora enters the ovary, accompanied by severe pain and high fever.
An ovarian cyst itself can cause a delay in menstruation and put pressure on the bladder and intestines, making it difficult to have a natural bowel movement. The prolonged presence of some of its types is fraught with infertility or degeneration into a malignant formation.
The length of the ban on sex after surgery depends on the type of surgery. Most often, you should abstain for about a month. After a second examination, the doctor may allow intimate life. It should be started with caution - sexual intercourse can cause pain if the woman’s organs do not heal completely.
With drug therapy, gynecologists rarely recommend limiting intimacy. You can have sex both during treatment and after full recovery. Particular care should be taken only with large sizes of the formation.
Sex in the presence of an ovarian cyst can only be prohibited by the attending physician. If such a formation is detected, active frictions and positions that cause pain or strain the abdominal muscles should be avoided. Too frequent intercourse is also not recommended - the usual rhythm of intimate life is completely restored after recovery.
Possible consequences
Despite the fact that intimate life with an ovarian cyst is possible, a woman must exercise extreme caution, since sex can cause damage to the tumor, which will lead to complications.
The following are the most common complications:
- cyst rupture . When the capsule bursts, its contents penetrate into the abdominal cavity. Peritonitis is life-threatening for a woman;
- ovarian torsion . If the organ becomes twisted, the tissue will die. In this case, urgent surgical intervention is necessary;
- development of a purulent process and abscess . If pathogenic microflora penetrates the ovary, this is fraught with the development of inflammation and the formation of pus. As a result, patients will experience increased body temperature, acute pain and septic shock;
- uterine bleeding during menstruation or its complete absence. As the tumor grows, the organ becomes deformed. The cyst also puts pressure on the bladder and intestines, disrupting their full functioning.
Why do restrictions and prohibitions arise? Dangerous consequences of the disease
During sex, the load on the abdominal and perineal muscles increases. The production of hormones changes to obtain maximum pleasure. Blood flow to the pelvic organs increases, and the ovaries are no exception. All this increases the risk of developing complications that are life-threatening to the woman and require emergency surgical intervention.
Possible consequences of intimacy:
- Torsion of the neoplasm's legs. If the cyst is located on a thin stalk, the risk of its twisting increases during any physical activity. In a twisted formation, blood flow stops and tissue necrosis develops. The process moves to the ovaries, inflammation occurs. The lesion may spread to other pelvic organs and lead to the development of peritonitis;
- Rupture of the cyst capsule. Damage to the membrane is accompanied by hemorrhage into the ovary. Bleeding threatens the development of peritonitis. The spread of the process from the pelvis to the abdominal cavity leads to dysfunction of internal organs and threatens sepsis.
Intimacy can provoke rupture of the capsule of the ovarian cyst.
Alarming symptoms indicating the development of complications:
- Sharp severe pain in the lower abdomen on the affected side. The pain intensifies when changing body position;
- Nausea, possible vomiting;
- Tension of the abdominal muscles during palpation;
- Impaired urination up to urinary retention;
- Bloody discharge from the genital tract.
It is also useful to read: Ovarian retention cyst and modern approaches to its treatment
This is how complete torsion of the cyst pedicle manifests itself. Partial torsion of the pedicle of the formation does not appear immediately. The first symptom may be increased pain in the lower abdomen, including during sex. The pain gradually increases and becomes unbearable. Other signs of complications are added. With the development of peritonitis, the woman’s condition deteriorates sharply.
When the capsule of the formation ruptures, signs of internal bleeding come to the fore: weakness, pale skin, increased heart rate and breathing, decreased blood pressure, dizziness. Possible loss of consciousness.
Torsion of the cyst stalk or rupture of its capsule is an indication for emergency surgical treatment. When the first signs of pathology appear, you need to call an ambulance. Before visiting a doctor, it is important to provide the woman with complete rest and help her find a comfortable position. Place ice or a bottle of cold water wrapped in a soft cloth on your lower abdomen. You should not take analgesics or other medications - this changes the clinical picture of the disease and makes it difficult to make a diagnosis.
Surgical intervention is performed using laparoscopic or laparotomic access. Operation options:
- Cystectomy - removal of only the cyst while preserving healthy tissue. The formation is excised, its membranes are removed, the ovary continues to work;
- Ovarian resection - excision of part of the affected organ. During surgery there is a risk of damage to functional tissue. This leads to a decrease in ovarian reserve;
- Ovariectomy - removal of the ovary along with the cyst. The second ovary takes over the function of the removed organ. With bilateral oophorectomy during reproductive age, hormone replacement therapy is indicated until the age of natural menopause.
Laparoscopic removal of an ovarian cyst is considered the most gentle method of treating pathology.
The extent of surgical intervention depends on the degree of organ damage, the woman’s age and the presence of concomitant pathology. If possible, doctors try to preserve the ovary, especially during the reproductive period. The removed tissues are sent for histological examination to the laboratory to make an accurate diagnosis.
It is important to know
After removal of an ovarian cyst, you need to maintain sexual rest and refrain from physical activity until the body is completely restored.
How to protect yourself
If you have an ovarian cyst, you cannot engage in physical activity that is aimed at developing the rectus and oblique abdominal muscles. Such exercises create conditions for the development of tumors, but also contribute to their twisting.
Based on this, you should try to avoid sex positions that involve stress on the abs.
In addition, you can protect yourself if you know the types of cysts, when diagnosed, intimate activities are contraindicated:
- dermoid teratoma is a benign tumor, the size of which is 15 cm, and surgery is required to remove it;
- paraovarian - formed on the epididymis and has a stalk. Due to this method of fixation, torsion of the genital organ sometimes occurs;
- endometrioma – formed as a result of endometriosis, takes sizes up to 12 cm.
NOTE!
If these types of cysts are detected, treatment must begin immediately.
Your doctor may allow you to have sex, but you need to do it carefully.
Sex after surgery
Immediately after removal of the cyst, gynecologists do not advise their patients to have sex. But this is not forever, but only for a month after surgery.
Sexual contacts should be resumed gradually. You need to let the body recover, and this will take a whole 6 months. Thus, during the specified period, the patient must avoid excessive loads, otherwise complications may develop.
Six months after surgery, you need to come back for an appointment with a gynecologist. He must conduct a diagnosis to determine if there are any complications.
Only after the results of the study are on his desk will he be able to make a verdict as to whether the woman can have sex or return to a full life later.
Sexual life after treatment
The length of the ban on sex after surgery depends on the type
surgical intervention. Most often, you should abstain for about a month. After a second examination, the doctor may allow intimate life. It should be started with caution - sexual intercourse can cause pain if the woman’s organs do not heal completely.
Fact: Resuming sexual activity after treatment helps a woman recover both physically and emotionally.
With drug therapy, gynecologists rarely recommend limiting intimacy. You can have sex both during treatment and after full recovery. Particular care should be taken only with large sizes of the formation.
Sex in the presence of an ovarian cyst can only be prohibited by the attending physician. If such a formation is detected, active frictions and positions that cause pain or strain the abdominal muscles should be avoided. Too frequent intercourse is also not recommended - the usual rhythm of intimate life is completely restored after recovery.