Ovary

While most women are not regularly aware of their ovaries, many women do experience pain or discomfort in that area from time to time.

The ovaries are two small glands situated on either side of the lower pelvis. They play a vital role in reproduction, the menstrual cycle, and the development of sexual characteristics in women.

Each month, one follicle will mature into an egg, which is released from the ovary in a process known as ovulation. For most women, this occurs regularly from puberty until menopause.

Causes of ovary pain

Here are some of the most common causes of ovarian pain:

1. Ovulation : Ovulation is the process of an egg being released from the ovary and occurs on or around day 14 of the average menstrual cycle. Some women do not feel anything during ovulation, but other women feel severe discomfort for several minutes or hours when they ovulate.

2.  Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) : Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that has spread to the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes. Most of the time, the bacteria causing PID is sexually transmitted, such as from gonorrhea or chlamydia. It is also possible to get PID from an infection after childbirth, IUD insertion, miscarriage, abortion, or another invasive procedure.

3. Torsion : Torsion is more common if there is a cyst on the ovary because the cyst makes the ovary heavier or larger than usual.

4.  Endometriosis : Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of menstrual tissue outside of the uterus. This tissue can grow anywhere in the abdomen or pelvis, including on the ovary, and it behaves in the same way as it does during a menstrual cycle.

5. Ovarian cyst : An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that grows on a woman’s ovary. Ovarian cysts are very common and in most cases do not cause any symptoms.

6. Ovarian remnant syndrome : Ovarian remnant syndrome only occurs in women who have had their ovaries and fallopian tubes surgically removed. If any of the ovarian tissue remains in the pelvis, it can continue to respond to and produce hormones. This can cause pain that is either constant or comes and goes. Women with ovarian remnant syndrome can also experience pain during sex, when urinating, or having a bowel movement.