Three Types of Disorders of the Ovary Based on Symptoms

The ovaries are an important part of the female reproductive organs. This organ functions to produce hormones and release eggs so that pregnancy can occur. If there is a problem with the ovaries, a woman is at high risk for difficulty getting pregnant. Therefore, 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. The disorder can be caused by various diseases, ranging from cysts to tumors. Pain in the ovaries can be acute or chronic. Acute pain arises and disappears quickly, while chronic pain is felt gradually and can persist 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 when undergoing certain activities, such as when urinating or exercising.

Types of disorders of the ovary

The following are three types of disorders of the ovaries that are experienced by many women:

• Ovarian cyst

Ovarian or ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the ovary. Cysts can form when the egg is not released, or when the bag that holds the egg does not decay after the egg is released. Generally, these cysts form when ovulating and disappear on their own. Although it often does not cause any symptoms, ovarian cysts remain at risk of causing unbearable pain if they are large or broken. Other symptoms that can accompany ovarian cysts are nausea and vomiting, bloating, pain during bowel movements or sexual intercourse, irregular menstruation, pelvic pain at the beginning and end of menstruation. Treatment of this disease depends on the age, type and size of the cyst, and the symptoms experienced. Your doctor may monitor the size of the cyst by doing an ultrasound routinely, to find out whether the size of the cyst changes or not. In addition, administration of drugs and cyst removal surgery may be recommended if the symptoms are quite severe or the cysts get bigger.

• Endometriosis

When the egg is not fertilized, the uterine lining decays and leaves the body through a process called menstruation. But in some women, tissue that resembles the uterine wall can grow in other parts of the body, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes (fallopian tubes), and vagina. This tissue then swells and bleeds every month, but has no place to decay. This condition results in 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, and the onset of pain during intercourse. To ensure the presence or absence of endometriosis tissue in your ovaries, your doctor will conduct physical and supportive examinations such as ultrasound, MRI, and laparoscopy. Treatment for endometriosis includes administration of pain medication to treat mild pain, hormone therapy, and surgery if other treatment steps are unsuccessful.

• Ovarian tumors

Ovarian tumors can be malignant (cancerous) or benign. Ovarian tumors are more common in women who have entered menopause. Symptoms of ovarian tumor are not typical, generally in the form of indigestion, loss of appetite, lower abdominal pain, and weight loss for no apparent reason. In order to diagnose ovarian tumors, the doctor will perform physical examinations and investigations, such as MRI to see the presence of tumors, and blood tests to detect the CA-125 protein. This protein tends to increase in women suffering from ovarian tumors. Treatments for ovarian disorders include chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus.

Apart from the above diseases, there are also other medical conditions that can afflict a woman's reproductive system and ovaries. Some of these medical conditions include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pelvic inflammation, and ectopic pregnancy. Disorders of the ovaries that have been described above can attack women at any age. Since the symptoms can be very common, it is recommended that you consult a doctor immediately if you feel pain or other complaints on the reproductive organs, because that could be the first sign of ovarian disorders.