Does chocolate cyst prevent the embryo from implanting?

The condition of endometriosis, also known as chocolate cyst, appears with the settling of endometrial tissue, which is regarded as the inner lining of the uterus, in any area outside the uterus, inside the abdomen. Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialist Doç. Dr. Taner Usta shed light on the question “Does Chocolate Cyst Prevent the Embryo from Implanting?” and made quite useful explanations about this insidious disease which is seen in 1 in every 10 women.

Although the menstrual blood flowing in the reverse direction is one of the factors that cause endometriosis to form, exactly what causes this condition is not known. Chocolate cyst can also cause infertility depending on where it is located. Cysts occurring in the pelvic organs or in the tubes prevent pregnancy.

Infertility becomes almost unavoidable particularly in the advanced stages of chocolate cyst. Chocolate cyst is seen in approximately 40% of patients who resort to assisted reproduction methods such as in vitro fertilisation.

Different reasons may lie behind chocolate cyst causing infertility. Infertility may occur as a result of the cyst blocking both fallopian tubes or creating adhesions in the tubes.

Depending on where it is located, the cyst may also cause the conditions necessary for the development of the embryo to be disrupted. As a result of this, the embryo cannot attach to the wall of the uterus and therefore cannot develop, and this causes pregnancy not to occur.

As for cases in which infertility is seen, the in vitro fertilisation method provides significant success for those who want to become pregnant. However, the success of in vitro fertilisation treatment too can again vary according to the location of the chocolate cyst. It is recommended that those who want to have a baby resort to in vitro fertilisation treatment without losing time after it comes to light that they have a chocolate cyst.

The reason why people who have a chocolate cyst are advised to begin in vitro fertilisation treatment as soon as possible arises from the fact that treatment can be started before these cysts progress.

The growth of chocolate cysts significantly affects the success of the treatment. In some cases, together with the hormonal changes experienced after becoming pregnant, chocolate cysts can shrink significantly. However, it is not certain that this will happen. In cases where the cyst is very large it can also prevent in vitro fertilisation treatment. For this reason the chocolate cyst needs to be treated first and in vitro fertilisation treatment carried out after that.

When the chocolate cyst is eliminated, the chance of pregnancy increases significantly. After the cyst is eliminated it may be necessary to wait a while for the inner structure of the uterus to recover.