can an ovarian cyst stop menstration?

Question

I was due for my period on April 7th and two weeks later found out from an at home test that I was pregnant. Three days later I miscarried. My doctor said that they found a Cyst on my right ovary and it probably was a Corpus Luteum cyst (functional cyst) and could go away on it's own. In may I had a normal period exactly 30 days after I miscarried. Now, I am four days past due for my period this month (june) and I have no systems of pregnancy or that I am getting my period. No cramps or sore boobs etc. I was wondering if a functional cyst can stop you from getting your period or if it can make your body think it is pregnant by continuing to produce hormones. Can a cyst produce hcg? And another question is if a cyst can produce hcg and trick your body into thinking it is pregnant then maybe I was never pregnant in April. On the April ultrasound they didn't find anything not even a gestational sac. (Chemical pregnancy) help me!!!! I am desparate to become pregnant!

Answer 1

A luteal cyst will typically produce bhcg, but not in the amounts pregnancy test are designed to detect. Only after signals from the developing placenta are received does the cyst start ramping up production of bhcg to what is detectable.

On the other hand, after having received that signal from the placenta, the luteal cyst will continue to produce bhcg and other hormones that signal pregnancy for an indeterminate time, even after a miscarriage (which normally occurs 50-60% of the time, usually in the first few weeks). This can result in irregular periods for the subsequent few cycles.

Alternatively, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can have irregular or no periods, but this is through a somewhat different mechanism.

It is unlikely that you were never pregnant, since the luteal cyst (which occurs after every ovulation), should never have produced enough bhcg to be detectable, and it is likely your periods will return to normal within the next 1-2 months.

As always, discuss these and any questions with your doctor.