The ovaries are an important part of the female reproductive organs. This organ functions to produce hormones and release eggs in order tooccur pregnancy. If there are problems with the ovaries, a woman is at high risk for difficulty conceiving. By kTherefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms of disorders of the ovaries.
Disorders of the ovaries can be recognized from pain around the area of this organ, including in the lower abdomen, around the pelvis, and also below the navel. These disorders can be caused by various diseases, ranging from cysts to tumors.
Pain in the ovaries can be acute or chronic. Acute pain comes and goes quickly, while chronic pain is gradual and can last for months. In some cases, the pain can be so mild that the sufferer barely feels it. However, there are times when the pain will worsen during certain activities, such as when urinating or exercising.
Type-JTypes of Disorders of the Ovaries
The following are three types of disorders of the ovaries that many women experience:
- Ovarian cyst
Generally, these cysts form during ovulation and disappear on their own. Although they often don't cause any symptoms, ovarian cysts are still at risk of causing unbearable pain if they are large or burst.
Other symptoms that can accompany ovarian cysts are nausea and vomiting, bloating, pain when defecating or having sex, irregular menstruation, pelvic pain at the beginning and end of menstruation.
Treatment for this disease depends on your age, the type and size of the cyst, and your symptoms. The doctor may monitor the size of the cyst by doing ultrasound regularly, to find out whether the size of the cyst has changed or not. In addition, medication and surgical removal of the cyst may be recommended if the symptoms are severe or the cyst gets bigger.
- Endometriosis
This tissue then swells and bleeds monthly, but has no place to slough off. This condition causes sores and pain called endometriosis.
This disease can be recognized from several symptoms, such as severe pain during menstruation, vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual period, digestive disorders such as flatulence and abdominal pain during menstruation, difficulty getting pregnant, prolonged menstruation, and the onset of pain during sexual intercourse.
To confirm the presence or absence of endometrial tissue in your ovaries, the doctor will perform a physical examination and support such as ultrasound, MRI, and laparoscopy. Treatment for endometriosis includes painkillers to treat mild pain, hormone therapy, and surgery if other treatments don't work.
- Ovarian tumor
To diagnose ovarian tumors, the doctor will perform a physical examination and supporting tests, such as an MRI to see the presence of a tumor, and a blood test to detect the CA-125 protein. This protein tends to be elevated in women who have ovarian tumors.
Treatment for ovarian disorders includes chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus.
In addition to the diseases above, there are also other medical conditions that can affect a woman's reproductive system and ovaries. Some of these medical conditions include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pelvic inflammatory disease, and ectopic pregnancy.
Disorders of the ovaries that have been described above can attack women at any age. Given that the symptoms can be very common, it is recommended that you immediately consult a doctor if you feel pain or other complaints in the reproductive organs, because it could be an early sign of ovarian disorders.