Female Body Concerns / Question
Published: April 24, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I have been told that I have severe dysplasia and I had to go to the doctor yesterday and have ultrasound done due to the pain. I had at one point 2 cysts on my right ovary and they have erupted. Do you think it will affect my future ability to have children or sex ability?
Signed: Erupted Ovarian Cysts Affect Child Bearing
Dear Erupted Ovarian Cysts Affect Child Bearing,
Just to clear the air, FX needs to make sure that you know that Dysplasia and Ovarian Cysts are two different medical diagnoses.
Dysplasia of the cervix is when the cells of the cervix have become abnormal. This is usually diagnosed through an abnormal Pap smear. Many teen-aged females with HPV usually have dysplasia. When cervical dysplasia is found your doctor will recommend more tests. Many times cervical dysplasia gets resolved and does not affect the woman's ability to have children. For more information on abnormal Pap smears, check out this link - http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/abpap.html.
Ovarian cysts or lower abdominal pain is unrelated to having Dysplasia of the cervix. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that occur on the ovaries (the two almond sized organs on each side of the uterus). Most types of ovarian cysts do not need treatment and are harmless. However, only a doctor can determine this. Also, many women have ovarian cysts that rupture and are able to bear children. For more information, check out this link http://womenshealth.tqn.com/library/weekly/aa111998.htm.
As always, your best bet is to talk to your adolescent medicine doctor or gynecologist about this. You may need to ask them to clearly explain to you what each is and how it will affect you now and in the future.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens often abuse prescription drugs because of the myth that these drugs provide a medically safe high.
