Are ovarian cysts linked to UTIs?

Q: Dear Doctor,
I am aged 28. I have been battling urinary tract infections (UTIs) and candidiasis for fi ve years. I am always on treatment. The infections occur every month, a week before or after my periods.

I have seen several doctors, including gynaecologists, who have prescribed different drugs ranging from anti-bacterials to anti-fungals, but the infection keeps recurring; sometimes a month or two after treatment.

A scan revealed an ovarian cyst outside the ovary and tiny ones inside. Do these have any relationship with the UTIs and candida?

Annette

A: Dear Annette,
Candida is a class of yeasts, while a UTI is an infection that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract. Urinary tract infections have different names, depending on the area infected. On the other hand, sacs of fl uid that grow in or on the ovaries are referred to as ovarian cysts.

These cysts are usually benign (noncancerous) and may cause no symptoms. However, large cysts or cysts that bleed into the surrounding structures may cause symptoms that affect the reproductive system, urinary tract and digestive system.

And because many of these symptoms can be caused by a number of medical conditions, they must be evaluated to determine the cause. Therefore, UTIs and ovarian cysts can be associated — one leads to the another. However, it is not a
guarantee that the cysts were caused by a UTI.

You need to be examined first. Pelvic pain, pain during intercourse and changes in the menstrual cycle can be symptoms of ovarian cysts that affect the reproductive system. Treatment depends on your age, the type and size of the cyst and the symptoms. See a gynecologist.