It is amazing how often women do not really have a knowledge of their own bodies, even though it is quite important to do so. Many surveys reveal that the health care that women receive from their doctors is not as satisfactory as the health care that men are able to be given– there is a lot more understood about how illnesses affect men and concerning men’s health than about women’s health concerns. Thus it is vital that as a woman you need to be knowledgeable in your health care and be able to communicate effectively with your doctor as well as asking appropriate questions – and in some cases, expect something to be done. If you educate yourself about your own body, then you will be able to communicate with your doctor in a much more meaningful way.
We tend not to give much thought to learning about our ovaries even though it is really helpful to understand how they work. It is not necessary to have great medical knowledge when it comes to learning about your ovaries. These few tips will help you to gain a better knowledge and you’ll know more about your body and how your ovaries are an important part of your overall health.
If you look at a diagram of the female reproductive system, it is not difficult to see the ovaries. Ovaries are oval in shape and they are at the top of the fallopian tubes, one on each side of the uterus. Mostly women have two ovaries – one on each side – even though it is quite common that women have only one ovary, having either been born that way or having had one removed as a result of a health concern such as cancer. Despite the fact that ovaries are quite small, they play an important function in fertility.
It is understood that the main process that occurs in the ovaries is ovulation. Basically, described simply, the ovaries are the storage facility for your eggs. Your ovaries are the spot that your eggs mature after which they are released each month through the process of ovulation. A single ovary holds about 400,000 follicles, and each one of these follicles have the possibility of developing into fertilizable eggs. During your menstrual cycle, as a result of your estrogen levels decreasing and then the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels increasing, there will be about 10 follicles which develop into properly formed eggs. After this, an increase in estrogen levels causes one of the eggs (which is still within a follicle) to cling to the inside edge of the ovary. When the follicle and egg reach that spot, the ovary and follicle each open and the egg travels down the fallopian tube. When the egg is sent into the fallopian tube, pregnancy can occur at any point until the egg reaches the uterus.
As a result of the ovaries playing a vital part in fertility and the menstrual cycle, it can be that difficulties within the ovaries can cause women many problems. Certain women find that ovulation is painful and even has many symptoms which are similar to PMS and menstrual cramping. Some women often have to endure more severe PMS and periods than do other women and as a result their monthly cycle can definitely interfere with day to day life. Women who have ovulation pain need to be aware that their doctor has medications which can assist them.
Ovarian cysts and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are two other ovarian related health issues.
The first one mentioned, the ovarian cysts, is a mostly benign growth that develops on the ovaries.
On the other hand PCOS can both be the results of actual cysts and can be the result of hormones. Whether or not cysts are present PCOS patients suffer different health problems, from mood disorders to diabetes and weight gain.
It is important to note that PCOS is not always easy to diagnose but if you feel this is a problem that you are experiencing then it is worth your while to go into your doctor with a record of all of the symptoms that you are experiencing. This alone can be a reason for developing a better understanding of your ovaries.
