Does ovarian teratoma affect menstruation?

Ovarian teratomas may affect menstruation. Ovarian teratoma is a common benign tumor of the ovary. In most cases, it will not interfere with the menstrual cycle. However, when the tumor is large or has hormone secretion function, it may cause menstrual disorders.

Ovarian teratomas are usually formed by abnormal differentiation of germ cells, and most are mature teratomas, which grow slowly and have no endocrine activity. When these tumors are small, they generally do not compress ovarian tissue or interfere with hormone secretion, so the menstrual cycle can remain normal. Some patients may accidentally discover tumors during physical examination without any abnormal menstrual symptoms. Clinical observation shows that only a small number of patients with mature teratomas will experience slight changes in their menstrual periods, such as shortened cycles or slightly increased menstrual volume, and usually no special treatment is needed.

A small number of immature teratomas or special types of teratomas may have endocrine functions, secreting estrogen, androgen and other active substances, directly disrupting the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. This type of situation may cause obvious menstrual abnormalities such as amenorrhea, prolonged menstruation, and heavy menstrual flow, and may even be accompanied by hyperandrogen symptoms such as hirsutism and acne. When the tumor size exceeds 5 cm, it may also destroy the normal structure of the ovary through mechanical compression, indirectly causing ovulatory dysfunction.

If there is persistent menstrual disorder combined with a pelvic mass, it is recommended to see a gynecologist promptly and make a clear diagnosis through ultrasound, tumor markers and other examinations. After diagnosis, laparoscopic surgical resection or regular follow-up can be selected according to the nature of the tumor. Abnormal menstruation after surgery can gradually recover, but changes in hormone levels need to be monitored. You should pay attention to recording your menstrual cycle every day to avoid strenuous exercise that may cause ovarian torsion.