The key difference between chocolate cyst and hemorrhagic cyst is that a chocolate cyst is a benign and blood-filled cyst found in women of reproductive age due to endometriosis, while a hemorrhagic cyst is an adnexal mass due to the occurrence of bleeding into a follicular or corpus luteum cyst.
The ovaries are two almond-shaped organs that are part of the female reproductive system. An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops on the ovary. Cysts in the female genital tract are a common occurrence, encompassing a large number of physiologic and pathologic cysts. Most of these cysts originate from the ovaries. Consequently, the chocolate cyst and hemorrhagic cyst are two distinct types of cysts observed in the female genital tract.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Chocolate Cyst
3. What is Hemorrhagic Cyst
4. Similarities – Chocolate Cyst and Hemorrhagic Cyst
5. Chocolate Cyst vs. Hemorrhagic Cyst in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Chocolate Cyst and Hemorrhagic Cyst
7. Summary – Chocolate Cyst vs. Hemorrhagic Cyst
What is Chocolate Cyst?
A chocolate cyst, also known as ovarian endometrioma, is filled with the same fluid that is in the lining of the uterus or endometrium. The fluid inside a chocolate cyst resembles chocolate syrup. About 17 to 44 % of people diagnosed with endometriosis are estimated to have chocolate cysts. The symptoms of this condition may include periods that are especially painful, pain during intercourse, pain when urinating, back pain, vomiting, bloating, and nausea.
Figure 01: Chocolate Cyst
Chocolate cysts can be diagnosed through laparoscopy, biopsy, transvaginal ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, complete blood count, urinalysis, and STI test. Furthermore, treatment options for chocolate cysts may include medications and other things to reduce pain, such as progestins, vaginal control pills, birth control pills, birth control patches, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and hysterectomy/ oophorectomy.
What is a Hemorrhagic Cyst?
A hemorrhagic cyst is a type of ovarian cyst that bleeds. It is a functional cyst that occurs due to ovulation rather than due to disease. The symptoms of a hemorrhagic cyst may include abdominal discomfort on one side of the body, irregular menstruation, pain during intercourse, infertility, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, lower back pelvic pain, pain or pressure when urinating or passing stool, bloating, early satiety, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting.
Figure 02: Hemorrhagic Cyst
Hemorrhagic cysts can be diagnosed through physical examination and Doppler ultrasound. Furthermore, treatment options for hemorrhagic cysts may include surgeries like laparoscopic surgery and oophorectomy.
What are the Similarities Between Chocolate Cyst and Hemorrhagic Cyst?
- Chocolate cysts and hemorrhagic cysts are two different types of cysts observed in the female genital tract.
- Both conditions may be characterized by pelvic pain and bleeding.
- They can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
- They can be treated through respective surgeries.
What is the Difference Between Chocolate Cyst and Hemorrhagic Cyst?
A chocolate cyst is a benign and blood-filled cyst found in women of reproductive age due to endometriosis, while a hemorrhagic cyst is an adnexal mass due to the occurrence of bleeding into a follicular or corpus luteum cyst. Thus, this is the key difference between chocolate cyst and hemorrhagic cyst. Furthermore, the chocolate cyst is not a functional cyst, whereas a hemorrhagic cyst is a functional cyst.
The infographic below presents the differences between chocolate cyst and hemorrhagic cyst in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Chocolate Cyst and Hemorrhagic Cyst
What happens if a chocolate cyst is not removed?
If not removed, chocolate cysts can invade, damage, and take over healthy ovarian tissue, causing a higher risk for fertility.
Can chocolate cysts be treated without surgery?
The growth of chocolate cysts can be reduced by medications, including hormonal contraceptives, oral contraceptives, progesterone injections, Danazol, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists or GnRH.
Can I get pregnant if I have a chocolate cyst?
Chocolate cysts significantly increase the chance of infertility. However, many women with chocolate cysts can conceive naturally.
Summary – Chocolate Cyst vs. Hemorrhagic Cyst
Chocolate cyst and hemorrhagic cyst are two types of ovarian cysts seen in the female genital tract. The chocolate cyst is a benign and blood-filled cyst found in women of reproductive age due to endometriosis. In contrast, the hemorrhagic cyst is an adnexal mass due to the occurrence of bleeding into a follicular or corpus luteum cyst. Hence, this summarizes the difference between chocolate cyst and hemorrhagic cyst.
Reference:
1. “Endometriosis during Pregnancy: Risks and Effects.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
2. Mantecon, Olivia, et al. “A Case of Hemorrhagic Ovarian Cyst Rupture Necessitating Surgical Intervention.” Cureus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Ovarian Endometriotic Cyst” By bc the path (CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED) via Flickr
2. “Benign Ovarian Cyst” By Ed Uthman (CC BY 2.0 DEED) via Flickr