Chocolate Cysts Symptoms Explained

A chocolate cyst is a benign and blood-filled cyst found in women of reproductive age. This cyst can be formed in the ovary or encapsulating the ovary. The size of the cyst ranges from 2 to 20 centimeters. The chocolate cyst got its name due to the dark, brown colored, tar-like substance present inside it. These substances include old and thickened menstrual blood, bits of endometrial tissues and inflammatory enzymes. The chances of chocolate cysts are higher in women with endometriosis.

Symptoms of Chocolate Cysts

The signs and symptoms of this condition, vary from women to women. Some women may experience severe symptoms, whereas for others this condition may cause no symptoms at all. Also, the severity of the chocolate cyst symptoms depends neither on the size of the cyst nor on the duration of this condition. The symptoms of chocolate cyst are almost similar to those of endometriosis. 
Let's discuss the most common chocolate cyst symptoms below:

• Painful menstrual periods
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Extreme pain or swelling in the abdominopelvic area
• Dark-colored vaginal discharge
• Pain during sex
• Pain during strenuous activities or even bending and stretching
• Pain while urinating
• Pain while passing stool
• Infertility

A ruptured chocolate cyst needs immediate medical attention. The content inside the ruptured cyst spills on the ovaries and other reproductive organs which then leads to scarring and inflammation causing the following symptoms such as:

• Severe or sharp pain on the side where the cyst is present
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Bleeding

Effect of Chocolate Cysts on Fertility

The chocolate cyst can interfere with a woman's fertility in many ways. In some cases, these cyst imbalances the reproductive hormones leading to infertility. Also, sometimes, the sperm may not be able to penetrate the barrier formed by the cyst on the ovary that released the egg or the cyst is preventing the ovary from forming eggs. Fallopian tube scarring is also one of the reasons that can cause fertility issues in women due to a chocolate cyst.