What happens if chocolate cysts are not treated?

Chocolate cysts, also known as ovarian endometriosis cysts, are a type of endometriosis. If not treated in time, dysmenorrhea symptoms may gradually worsen. As the blood in the cyst continues to accumulate, the ectopic endometrium in the cyst will also bleed every time the menstrual period comes, causing the cyst to gradually increase. This repeated bleeding will irritate the surrounding tissues, causing inflammation and pain, causing the patient to experience severe abdominal pain during menstruation.

In addition to dysmenorrhea, chocolate cysts may also affect women's fertility. The presence of cysts can interfere with the normal function of the ovaries, affecting the development and discharge of eggs, leading to infertility. For women who want to get pregnant, timely treatment of chocolate cysts is crucial.

If left untreated for a long time, chocolate cysts may also cause pelvic adhesions. The blood accumulation and inflammatory exudates in the cysts will increase the risk of adhesions in the pelvis, leading to adhesions between organs such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, further affecting reproductive function and possibly causing chronic pelvic pain.

What’s more serious is that although most chocolate cysts are benign, there is a risk of malignant transformation if they are not treated for a long time. Although the rate of malignant transformation is low, once it occurs, the consequences are serious and may endanger the patient’s life.

For chocolate cysts, early detection and timely treatment are the key. Regular gynecological examinations, such as ultrasound examinations, can detect the presence of cysts early. For patients who have been diagnosed, appropriate treatment methods should be selected according to the condition, such as drug therapy or surgical treatment, to avoid further deterioration of the condition.