‘You could lose your ovary’ – gynaecologist explains dangers of ovarian torsion

Isaac Shamaki, a Bauchi state-based gynaecologist, has warned women suffering from ovarian torsion about the dangers of delaying treatment.

Ovarian torsion is a medical condition that occurs when an ovary twists around the ligaments that hold it in place in a way that could cut off blood flow to it or the fallopian tube. It could also cause further complications.

In an interview with NAN, Shamaki described the ailment as a medical emergency and added that women who are diagnosed with it should seek out treatment or risk the loss of their ovaries.

According to him, surgery may be done to untwist the ovary and the fallopian tube while medication may also be prescribed to reduce the risk of recurrence to end severe pain and other symptoms that come with the ailment.

“If you’re experiencing symptoms of ovarian torsion, seek immediate medical attention. The longer the condition goes untreated, the more likely you are to experience complications,” he said.

“After assessing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will perform a pelvic exam to locate areas of pain and tenderness. They will also perform a transvaginal ultrasound to view your ovary, fallopian tube and blood flow.”

Shamaki said that torsion accounts for two or three per cent of all acute gynaecological emergencies. He also noted that torsion remains a clinically difficult diagnosis, as the symptoms are usually nonspecific.

According to him, the doctor will also use blood and urine tests to rule out other potential diagnoses, such as urinary tract infection, ovarian abscess, ectopic pregnancy and appendicitis.

He noted that doctors could make a preliminary diagnosis of ovarian torsion based on their findings; a definitive diagnosis would be typically made during corrective surgery.

“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,” he said.

On the cause of ovarian torsion, he said it could occur if the ovary was unstable.

“For example, a cyst or ovarian mass can cause the ovary to become lopsided, making it unstable. You may also be more likely to develop ovarian torsion if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome, a long ovarian ligament, which is the fibrous stalk that connects the ovary to the uterus,” he said.

“You have a tubal ligation, pregnant trusted source and undergoing hormonal treatments, unusually for infertility which can stimulate the ovary. Although this can happen to women and girls at any age, it’s most likely to occur during the reproductive years.”

However, Shamaki said that ovarian torsion could sometimes resolve itself on its own.

“This is called intermittent torsion; meaning that the tossed 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,” he advised.

The gynaecologist, however, disclosed that torsion does not have an impact on a woman’s ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term.

According to him, a woman can have ovarian torsion after hysterectomy, saying ovarian torsion after hysterectomy is a rare event.

“In cases of acute onset pelvic pain in patients with history of hysterectomy, the adnexal torsion must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis, especially in those women who had undergone laparoscopic hysterectomy,” he said.

“It seems to be more frequent after laparoscopic hysterectomy. Therefore, despite it is a rare event, its prevalence could increase in the future with the widespread use of laparoscopic approach.”