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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Ovaries

In our series, “What’s Up, Down There,” we’re covering important health topics you might not have learned in health class. In this issue, we’re exploring an important part of the female anatomy – the ovaries.

The Basics

Before we dig into some surprising facts, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about what the ovaries are and how they function. The ovaries are two small oval-shaped glands, about the size of a grape, located on either side of the uterus. Some may say they even look like little brains – which is a clever analogy considering the important role they play in a woman’s health.

The ovaries have two main functions – to make and store female sex hormones and release eggs. Our ovaries are constantly in communication with the brain, sending signals back and forth to help produce and regulate the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones impact everything from fertility, to regulating our menstrual cycle, and eventually later in life the transition to menopause.

The ovaries are also where eggs (also known as oocytes) are produced and stored. Eggs are stored within the ovaries in small sacs called ovarian follicles – each contains thousands of follicles. The ovaries take turns releasing an egg each menstrual cycle. If the egg is fertilized by sperm, it begins the process of conception. If it is not fertilized, we shed the egg through our menstrual period.

Now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s get into some important facts you may not know.

Get The Facts

Women are born with all the eggs we’ll ever have. After birth, our ovaries stop producing new eggs.

Typically, we’re born with about 1-2 million eggs. By the time a girl begins her first period, that count decreases to 300,000-400,000 eggs. It’s estimated that about 1,000 eggs are lost each month. That’s why by the time we reach our early 30s, fertility begins to decrease. It’s not just egg quantity that decreases, but egg quality as well. This is why procedures like egg and embryo freezing have gained significant popularity in recent years, with individuals and couples opting to preserve their fertility and put a pause on the biological clock – saving those eggs/embryos for when they’re ready to build a family down the road. If having a family is one of your goals, scheduling an evaluation with your Axia Women’s Health provider is a great first step. During that evaluation, we can discuss your goals, and if needed refer you to one of our fertility partners for additional support.

You may be able to feel your ovaries working during the moment of ovulation. This is a unique sensation known as “mittelschmerz”.

Have you ever noticed a sudden twinge in your pelvis on one side that seems to pop up once a month? This could be ovulation pain, also known in medical terms as “mittelschmerz,” meaning middle pain. It may resemble the feeling of menstrual cramps but is often one-sided and linked to the side of the ovary that is releasing the egg that month. This pain is not typically severe and generally subside within 48 hours. Fun fact: some women can predict ovulation based on this pain alone, making it a natural fertility signal. Of course, any kind of recurrent pain during/around your period shouldn’t be ignored and is worth a discussion with your Axia provider.

Just like us, our ovaries can get stressed out too.

During moments of major stress our ovaries can stop releasing eggs. This is because when under stress, communication between the ovaries and the brain can get interrupted. When cortisol (the stress hormone) increases, it can interfere with the signal between the brain and ovaries and disrupt the typical release of hormones. Some may say it’s nature’s way of preventing pregnancy during stressful times. If you are trying to conceive, finding techniques to help lower stress like physical exercise, connecting with loved ones, or just taking a moment for yourself is so important.

Ovaries are tied to more than just fertility. They play a major starring role in many aspects of our health.

Because ovaries play a significant role in hormonal balance, they can be directly tied to so many areas of a woman’s health. When working properly, the hormones produced by the ovaries can help maintain bone density, support heart health, stabilize mood, and regulate your menstrual cycle. When the hormonal balance is off, they can lead to things like irregular menstrual cycles, body acne, male pattern hair growth acne. These symptoms can be even more prevalent in women with conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Understanding the root cause is important in treating the symptoms. Your provider can help you explore this and may offer treatments ranging from birth control to other insulin-regulating medications, and/or lifestyle changes.

Ovarian cysts are common.

Most women will develop an ovarian cyst at some point in her life, typically during reproductive age and around the menstrual cycle. These are known as “functional cysts”. Usually they are harmless, painless, and will go away on their own. While they are usually benign, certain cysts may be particularly large or complex, and may require medical attention. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it’s worth contacting your provider:

Severe pelvic pain or sudden pain that doesn’t go away
Pain during sex
Significant bloating
Changes in your menstrual cycle
Unexpected weight loss

What It All Means For You

Your ovaries may be small, but they’re mighty – like tiny command centers working around the clock. They are involved in so many aspects of our health from our menstrual cycle to fertility and more. While we can’t easily see or track the ovaries, the biggest clue of how they’re functioning is changes in our menstrual cycle. It’s important to stay clued into any changes so you can know what’s normal/what’s not and when to call your Axia Women’s Health provider.