Ovarian Diseases: Symptoms And Treatments

The ovaries play a fundamental role in women’s reproductive and hormonal health. In this article you will know the 5 diseases of the ovaries.

The ovaries are the female sex glands responsible for producing eggs and regulating some of the most important hormonal processes in women. Unfortunately, diseases of the ovaries can be serious if left untreated.

These glands are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. They are fixed with utero-ovarian ligaments and on the pelvic wall by the pelvic infundibules. They are estimated to be 3cm × 2cm × 2cm in size in fertile women and weigh approximately 6 to 7 grams each.

As they are responsible for producing estrogens and progesterone, the ovaries play a fundamental role in health, especially in everything that has to do with the proper functioning of the reproductive system.

After reaching menopause, they stop releasing eggs and also reduce hormone production. This implies a series of changes, as well as risks in the entire female organism.

Unfortunately, as with other organs of the body, these can be affected by a series of pathologies that affect their functioning and deteriorate health. We reveal them below.

Diseases of the ovaries

1. Ovarian cancer

It is one of the most serious diseases of the ovaries and although it is not the most common type of cancer, it is the one that causes the most deaths due to the difficulties that exist in detecting it. There are an estimated 239,000 new cases each year and 152,000 deaths a year.

According to the National Library of Medicine of the United States, in its early stages, it does not present strong symptoms and, many times, its signs are mistaken for other diseases. Some of the red flags are:

• Heaviness in the pelvic area.
• Pain or pressure in the lower abdomen.
• Sudden weight gain or loss.
• Bleeding between menstrual periods or vaginal discharge, especially if you have passed the menopause
• Irregular menstrual periods.

• Pain in the back side of the back.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation or changes in the need to urinate.

If it can be detected in a timely manner, it can be successfully overcome. Generally, treatment includes surgery followed by chemotherapies.

2. Ovarian cysts

Cysts represent another disease of the ovaries. These are fluid-filled sacs that can develop on the surface or inside of one or both ovaries.

It is estimated that a large part of women suffer from one at some stage of their life but, being almost always asymptomatic and not dangerous, they disappear without them being aware of its presence.

In very few cases, cysts are cancerous in women under 50 years of age. However, a medical study is required to determine what variety it is.

The treatment to remove it will depend on the size you have, as well as the age of the woman. In many cases they can be controlled without having to go to surgery.

3. Polycystic ovary syndrome is another disease of the ovaries.

This disorder occurs when the ovaries produce an excessive amount of male hormones. This generates the development of cysts and a series of symptoms that can diminish the quality of life of the woman.

Having this disease increases the risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and diseases of the cardiovascular system. Other symptoms include:

• Unable to conceive (infertility).
• Pelvic pain.
• Excessive hair growth in almost all areas of the body.
• Hair loss or weakening of it.
• Oily skin and acne
• Thickening of the skin with a brown or black color

However, not all symptoms occur in all cases. To control them, the doctor can prescribe some hormonal regulation drugs, as well as certain healthy habits.

4. Premature ovarian failure

Premature ovarian failure occurs when the ovaries stop producing eggs, which generally implies irregular periods and greater difficulties in conceiving or, in other words, reduced fertility before the age of 40.

Until some time ago it was thought to be the same as premature menopause, but it was determined that it is not the same, since many women continue to menstruate occasionally.

For now, there is no effective treatment to help restore normal function. Only in some cases do women manage to conceive after undergoing fertility techniques.

5. Ovarian torsion

The Spanish Gynecological Association defines ovarian torsion as a rare condition where one of the ovaries is rotated causing a cut in arterial flow. This situation suddenly generates severe pain in the lower abdomen, which in many cases radiates to the sides of the back and thighs. It can appear at any stage, but it is more common in young women.

It usually occurs in only one ovary at a time, and in rare cases, it widens into the fallopian tubes or both ovaries. Surgical intervention is almost always required to treat it.

The information allows the prevention of these diseases of the ovaries. It is essential to have knowledge of its existence and characteristics to be alert to any sign that indicates its presence. Of course, regular gynecological examination is the surest means of receiving an accurate and timely diagnosis.