Swollen ovaries during pregnancy | Swollen ovaries

Swollen ovaries during pregnancy

Many women complain of slight lower abdominal pain, especially during early pregnancy. Even though women often suspect the cause to be in the ovaries, this is usually not the case. In most cases, slight complaints, such as a slight pulling or digestive problem, are more a reaction of the body to adapt to the pregnancy.

However, severe abdominal pain or fever are more likely to indicate an adnexitis, which can also occur during pregnancy. Ultimately, only an examination by a gynecologist can provide information about the cause of the symptoms. Ovarian swelling is still possible in an ectopic pregnancy.

A positive pregnancy test and the swelling of an ovary confirm the suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy. In this case, the vaginal ultrasound examination does not reveal an amniotic cavity in the uterus. In addition, symptoms such as spotting and unilateral lower abdominal pain are suspected of an ectopic pregnancy.

The likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy is particularly high in women who are taking advantage of reproductive medical measures. These are common procedures such as ICSI, in-vitro fertilization or follicle stimulation, which help to have children for various causes of infertility. Hormonal treatment of the woman, also known as follicle stimulation, stimulates the development of several eggs.

This can temporarily cause a slight swelling of the fallopian tubes, which is normal. The maturation of several eggs and the implantation of several embryos increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy. In rare cases, a pregnancy may also implant itself both in the uterus and the fallopian tubes.

Swollen ovaries after transfer in an artificial insemination

Ovarian swelling in the course of so-called ICSI or in vitro fertilization is possible, but not pathological. Prior to treatment, hormonal follicle stimulation must be performed in the woman. This treatment promotes the maturation of the egg cells and is called controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Mild swelling of the ovaries is not a cause for concern. However, a complication of this treatment may be ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which is accompanied by massive enlargement of the ovaries. To prevent this, the woman is of course closely monitored during the treatment.Even after transfer of the fertilized eggs, swelling is still normal in the first weeks of pregnancy and is due to the previous hormone therapy.

However, if you experience severe abdominal pain or palpable swelling, you should not hesitate to consult your doctor. In the course of the common reproductive procedures ICSI and in-vitro fertilization, a puncture of the ovary is performed, during which the puncture instrument is inserted into the vagina. From there the ovary is reached and the eggs can be retrieved.

These are then fertilized outside the woman. After successful fertilization, a maximum of 3 embryos are transferred back into the uterus. After a puncture, an inflammation of the ovaries may occur as a complication.

A swelling can then be seen in the ultrasound. Symptoms such as fever, severe abdominal pain or nausea are indications of a bacterial infection of the ovary.