How can you prevent ovarian torsion?
You may be more likely to experience ovarian torsion if you have ovarian cysts, which can cause the ovary to swell. You may be able to reduce your risk by using hormonal birth control or other medications to help reduce the size of the cysts.
What are risk factors for ovarian torsion?
Ovarian torsion occurs most frequently in women during their reproductive years, but it does sometimes happen in prepubescent girls. Having a cyst on your ovary is the biggest risk factor for ovarian torsion, because a cyst can make the ovary unbalanced and cause it to twist on itself.
What happens if you don’t treat ovarian torsion?
Ovarian torsion is a gynecological emergency that occurs when there is twisting or torsion of the ovary around its ligamentous supports. If left untreated, it results in loss of blood supply to the ovary and the fallopian tube with resultant infarction and loss of function.
What causes ovary torsion?
The extra weight or mass on the ovary can cause it to start to twist and rotate around its supporting ligaments. Another common cause is an ovarian ligament, connecting the ovary to the uterus, that is longer than usual. A longer ovarian ligament makes ovarian torsion more likely.
What exercises cause ovarian torsion?
Theoretically, certain exercises can increase the risk of ovarian torsion. Generally speaking, low-impact aerobic exercise (like walking or using an elliptical machine), lifting light weights, and gentle yoga is okay.
Can you see ovarian torsion on ultrasound?
Ovarian torsion is usually associated with a cyst or tumor, which is typically benign; the most common is mature cystic teratoma. Ultrasonography (US) is the primary imaging modality for evaluation of ovarian torsion.
Is ovarian torsion pain constant?
Key Point: Patients with ovarian torsion may present with constant, severe, abrupt, intermittent, or mild pain.
What are the symptoms of a twisted ovarian cyst?
Cysts that enlarge can cause the ovary to move, increasing the chance of painful twisting of your ovary (ovarian torsion). Symptoms can include an abrupt onset of severe pelvic pain, nausea and vomiting. Ovarian torsion can also decrease or stop blood flow to the ovaries.
How do you test for ovarian torsion?
Ultrasound is the diagnostic modality of choice for detecting torsion. The absence of blood flow within the ovary on Doppler exam is a highly specific finding but the presence of Doppler flow does not exclude the diagnosis of torsion.
Can ovarian torsion fix itself?
Sometimes ovarian torsion resolves itself on its own, as it did with Philipps. This is called intermittent torsion, meaning that the torsed ovary twists back into place and then ceases twisting. However, experts say you shouldn’t wait to see if the ovary will twist back on its own.
What happens when an ovary dies?
The ovary dies. One result is intense pain, from the ovary itself and from the surrounding pelvic lining, which grows inflamed from the decay of the dying organ. That peritoneal inflammation can cause buildup of fluids in the abdomen and release of CA-125, even in the absence of cancer.
How long does it take to recover from ovarian torsion surgery?
Most patients are fully recovered in four to six weeks.