Does a Chocolate Cyst Shrink During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy does not bring about the healing of a chocolate cyst, but it can bring about a relief of the symptoms caused by the cyst. This is because progesterone, which is secreted at high levels during pregnancy, suppresses the chocolate cyst and limits the effects of the disease. This in turn can indirectly lead to the cyst shrinking further and to a decrease being seen in the severity of the symptoms. Apart from this, pregnancy has no particular effect on chocolate cyst. Although chocolate cysts continue to be suppressed and to give fewer symptoms throughout breastfeeding after the birth, if they are not treated they can return to their former state later on.

With the shrinking of the cysts, the chance of pregnancy occurring also rises. Chocolate cysts shrinking on their own is generally not frequently seen. However, shrinkage may be seen in the cysts as a result of the use of various medications or a change in nutrition. With hormone therapy the growth of the cysts can be stopped. Healthy eating, and in particular a diet based on vegetables and fruit instead of the consumption of sugar, processed food and meat, can provide positive effects on chocolate cyst. Birth control pills and hormone therapies can bring about the shrinking of the cysts. After a surgical operation the rate at which pregnancy occurs on its own increases by approximately 40% to 50%. If pregnancy is not seen within the one-year period after a surgical operation, in vitro fertilisation treatment is also one of the important treatment options.