In medicine, a woman's ovaries are also referred to as ovaries. The ovaries are responsible for the production of egg cells and female sex hormones. They are part of a woman's reproductive organs. Various diseases can affect the ovaries. If they are not treated in time, there is a risk of infertility.
Here you will find further information and selected specialists for ovarian diseases.
The ovaries are internal reproductive organs in the female body. They are part of the reproductive organs. Every woman has two ovaries.
Some women decide to have their ovaries removed as a form of contraception when they no longer wish to have children.
The anatomy of the female reproductive organs © bilderzwerg | AdobeStock
The ovaries are located in the small pelvis near the iliac arteries. They can be felt with two fingers: one finger lies on the abdominal wall and the other is inserted through the vagina.
The neighboring organs are
The ovaries are covered by a special single-layered tissue. This tissue consists of the inner medulla and the outer cortex. The egg cells are located in the cortex of the ovaries.
Egg cells mature in the ovaries, normally one per month. The egg cell grows in an envelope, the follicle. At the end of this maturation phase, the follicle bursts and the egg is released into the fallopian tube. This is known as ovulation. At this point, the egg can be fertilized by male sperm cells. The body also rejects up to 1000 unfinished eggs every month.
After ovulation, the follicle is transformed into the corpus luteum. This transformation produces the hormones oestrogen and progesterone (also known as the corpus luteum hormone). The two hormones regulate the menstrual cycle.
Progesterone ensures the build-up of the lining of the uterus, in which a fertilized egg would implant. If fertilization does not take place, the corpus luteum is broken down. This is followed by menstruation.
The production of eggs ends with the menopause.
The functions of the ovaries are controlled by the pituitary gland (hypophysis). For this purpose, it releases the hormones FSH and LH at regular intervals.
Inflammation of the fallopian tubes is caused by bacteria and can affect one or both fallopian tubes. The course of tubal inflammation can be acute or chronic.
Inflammation of the fallopian tubes can lead to
can occur.
The most common signs of fallopian tube inflammation include fever and bilateral or unilateral pain in the lower abdomen.
If the fallopian tubes are inflamed, the treating gynecologist will prescribe antibiotics. The patient should also take it easy and ideally rest in bed. If the pain is severe, she will also be given painkillers.
If necessary, the abscess should be opened via laparoscopy. The sensitivity of the germs causing the abscess to antibiotics can then be tested. Common pathogens are chlamydia, which are often responsible for subsequent sterility (infertility).
With timely and correct treatment, the woman's function and thus her fertility is normally preserved. However, if the disease is not treated in time, it can take a chronic course. In the worst case scenario, this can lead to permanent infertility for those affected.
If the disease is protracted, chronic symptoms are often the result. This sometimes results in complications such as abscesses on the ovaries or fallopian tubes. In such cases, surgery is often the only treatment option.
Ovarian cancer, also known as ovarian carcinoma in medicine, is a malignant tumor. It develops directly from the tissue of the ovaries. However, around 10 to 15 percent of ovarian cancers originate in special cells of the peritoneum.
The average age of patients who develop ovarian cancer is 65. The following have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer
There are no typical symptoms that indicate ovarian cancer. The signs can vary greatly and range from bleeding disorders to a reduction in performance. Frequently occur
occur.
Ovarian cancer is usually treated with an abdominal incision. This allows the tumor to be completely removed. In addition, this procedure also
are removed. As a rule, the result of this operation is therefore the infertility of the patient. Conventional treatment with
is often not promising for ovarian cancer.
An ovarian cyst - also known as an ovarian cyst in medicine - is a benign tumor on the ovary. Ovarian cysts are very common.
In most cases, the formation of an ovarian cyst is caused by hormonal imbalances. As a rule, the follicle bursts during ovulation. The egg is then flushed out together with the escaping fluid. The egg finally ends up in the fallopian tube.
Hormonal imbalances can lead to the follicle membrane not rupturing. In this case, ovulation cannot take place either. As a result, more fluid accumulates, which ultimately leads to an ovarian cyst.
The contraceptive pill slightly increases the risk of an ovarian cyst. The pill artificially suppresses ovulation, but hormonal imbalances can still occur.
In some cases, an ovarian cyst does not cause any symptoms for the patient. It is therefore often only discovered by chance during a gynecological examination using ultrasound.
However, if the cyst grows to a certain size, it can press on neighboring organs. The patient will then experience dull or pulling pain in the abdomen.
Other possible symptoms are
The cyst can also burst. This can be felt as a slight pulling sensation in the abdomen. In rare cases, this can also cause blood vessels to rupture. This results in bleeding in the abdomen. In this case, those affected complain of
Surgical intervention is then usually necessary.
The type of treatment depends, among other things, on the size and location of the cyst. The age of the patient and the cause of the cyst also play a role in determining the appropriate treatment.
In younger women, the treating gynecologist will first carry out regular ultrasound examinations. This will check whether the cyst has changed. Functional cysts only occur in women with functioning ovaries.
In many women, the cyst disappears on its own after several menstrual periods. If this is not the case, hormones can be administered.
In case of
the doctor will recommend a laparoscopy. If he determines that the cyst is a malignant tumor, a surgical procedure must be performed.
