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Ovary
Problems
These can be
infection, cysts, lumps or cancer of the ovaries.
What to look for
feeling of fullness or
pressure on one side of the abdomen.
abdominal pain during
intercourse.
sharp abdominal pain.
irregular vaginal
bleeding or absent menstrual periods.
increase in facial or
body hair.
irregularities in bowel
movements or urination.
Many small benign ovarian
cysts and tumours produce no symptoms.
About the size of a walnut
the ovaries rest in the curve of your fallopian tubes, attached to each side of the
uterus. Each ovary contains thousands of eggs. In most women, once a month one or more
eggs ripens and begins to grow in a small cyst like structure known as a follicle. When
the egg is mature, it is released (ovulation) and goes down to the uterus.
The ovaries also produce
the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. While the egg is maturing, the follicle releases
oestrogen to help thicken the lining of the uterus in case the egg is fertilised and grows
into an embryo. Progesterone is also released. If no pregnancy occurs, the level of
progesterone decreases, menstruation occurs, and the cycle repeats itself.
There are problems can
develop in the ovary. It can become infected, sometimes alone but more often as part of an
infection that involves other pelvic organs (see the entry called pelvic inflammatory
disease). Cysts and tumours can also form on the ovaries. Most often these are benign, or
non-cancerous, and produce no symptoms.
Most benign ovarian cysts
and tumours disappear after a few menstrual cycles, some are quite large and can be
uncomfortable. Sometimes the growths disrupt the production of ovarian hormones, causing
irregular bleeding or an increase in body hair, or they press on the bladder, leading to
more frequent urination. Some rupture and can cause infection.
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