What is the Difference Between Endometrioma and Hemorrhagic Cyst

The key difference between endometrioma and hemorrhagic cyst is that endometrioma is a type of cyst that forms when endometrial tissue grows into ovaries, while hemorrhagic cyst is a type of cyst that forms as a result of hemorrhage into a follicular or corpus luteum cyst.

Endometrioma and hemorrhagic cyst are two types of cysts seen in the female genital tract. Cysts in the female genital tract are common, and they include a large number of physiologic and pathologic cysts. Most of them arise from ovaries, and they range from simple, functional cysts to malignant ovarian tumors. Non-ovarian cysts are also common as ovarian cysts.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Endometrioma  
3. What is Hemorrhagic Cyst
4. Similarities – Endometrioma and Hemorrhagic Cyst
5. Endometrioma vs Hemorrhagic Cyst in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Endometrioma vs Hemorrhagic Cyst

What is Endometrioma?

Endometrioma is a type of cyst that forms when endometrial tissue grows into ovaries. It is also called a chocolate cyst as it is filled with dark brown color fluid. This dark brown color fluid consists of old menstrual blood and tissue. The exact cause of endometrioma is not known. But endometrioma may be caused due to retrograde menstruation. In retrograde menstruation, blood and tissue are carried backward through fallopian tubes to the ovaries rather than expelling them from the body. The symptoms of endometrioma include painful periods, pelvic pain, irregular periods, heavy periods, and pain during sexual intercourse. The serious complications may include infertility, ovarian cancer, obstruction of urinary tract or bowel, and chronic pelvic pain.

Diagnosis of this condition can be made through a pelvic exam, ultrasound, and biopsy. The treatment depends on the age, whether one or both ovaries are affected, and the plans for having children in the future. Therefore, hormonal birth control pill, NuvaRing, and hormonal birth control patch can be recommended. They can decrease natural hormone function, slow down cyst growth, and manage pain. Moreover, ovarian cystectomy is recommended for women who have painful symptoms, large cysts, cysts that might cause cancer or infertility.

What is a Hemorrhagic Cyst?

A hemorrhagic cyst is a type of cyst that forms from hemorrhage into a corpus luteum or another functional cyst. It is also called a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst. A hemorrhagic cyst is formed due to ovulation. Usually, secondary to a hormone response, the stromal cells surrounding the maturing Graafian follicle will become more vascular during ovulation. After the oocyte has been expelled, the Graafian follicle transforms into a corpus luteum. The corpus luteum has a highly vascular and fragile granulose layer that easily ruptures.

The symptoms may include pain during sexual intercourse, abdominal fullness, vomiting, unusual bleeding, weight gain, inability to empty bladder, and aching in the pelvic region. Diagnosis of this condition can be made through MRI, laparoscope, or ultrasound. Furthermore, the treatments may include anti-inflammatory medications, hormonal birth control to decrease forming of new cysts, and ovarian cyst surgery.

What are the Similarities Between Endometrioma and Hemorrhagic Cyst?

• Endometrioma and hemorrhagic cyst are two types of cysts that develop in the female genital tract.
• Both are types of ovarian cysts.
• Pelvic pain and bleeding are common symptoms in both conditions.
• Both can develop into ovarian tumors.
• They can be treated easily through the guidance of a certified gynecologist.

What is the Difference Between Endometrioma and Hemorrhagic Cyst?

Endometrioma is a type of cyst that forms when endometrial tissue grows into ovaries, while hemorrhagic cyst is a type of cyst that forms from a hemorrhage into a corpus luteum or other functional cyst. Thus, this is the key difference between endometrioma and hemorrhagic cyst. Furthermore, the size of an endometrioma is 2 to 20 cm, while the size of a hemorrhagic cyst is 2 to 5 cm.

The below infographic presents the differences between endometrioma and hemorrhagic cyst in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Endometrioma vs Hemorrhagic Cyst

Endometrioma and hemorrhagic cyst are two types of cysts seen in the female genital tract. They are types of ovarian cysts. Endometrioma is a type of cyst that forms when endometrial tissue grows into ovaries, while hemorrhagic cyst is a type of cyst that forms from a hemorrhage into a corpus luteum or another functional cyst. So, this is the key difference between endometrioma and hemorrhagic cyst.

Reference:

1. Christiano, Donna. “What Are Chocolate Cysts?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 28 Sept. 2019.
2. Abbas, Ahmed M., et al. “Hemorrhagic Ovarian Cysts: Clinical and Sonographic Correlation with the Management Options.” Middle East Fertility Society Journal, Elsevier, 26 Sept. 2015.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Endometrioma” By Mikael Häggström – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Histopathology of hemorrhagic corpus luteum cyst” By Azadeh Nasiri, Salma Rahimi and Edmund Tomlinson – (2017). “Ovarian Torsion in Pregnancy: A Case Report”; Gynecology & Obstetrics Case report 03 (02). DOI:10.21767/2471-8165.1000051. ISSN 24718165.- (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia