The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system. Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond.
The ovaries produce and store a woman's eggs. During ovulation, an ovary releases an egg. If that egg is fertilized by a sperm, a pregnancy can occur. Ovaries also make the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. When a woman goes through menopause, her ovaries stop making those hormones and releasing eggs
What are Ovarian diseases?
Ovarian diseases are conditions that happen to young women and can affect their reproductive system and general health.
These can be classified as endocrine disorders or as a disorders of the reproductive system.
If the egg fails to release from the follicle in the ovary an ovarian cyst may form. Small ovarian cysts are common in healthy women. Some women have more follicles than usual (polycystic ovary syndrome), which inhibits the follicles to grow normally and this will cause cycle irregularities.
There are various types of ovarian diseases. Some of the ovarian diseases or disorders are:
- Endometriosis.
- Ovarian cysts.
- Ovarian Epithelial Cancer.
- Ovarian tumour
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).