Ovarian Cysts

What are the ovaries ?

The ovaries are two organs of the female reproductive system. They are located on either side of the uterus , the hollow organ shaped like almond where the fetus grows . Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. The ovaries produce eggs and female hormones .

Hormones are chemical substances that affect the operation of certain cells and organs. Each month, during the menstrual cycle , one ovary produces an egg by the process called " ovulation ." The egg moves from the ovary through the fallopian tubes into the uterus and stops .

The ovaries are also the main source of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones affect breast development , body fat and the amount of hair . They also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Ovarian cysts are a very common condition , especially of women of childbearing age , and are closely related to the structure and function of the ovaries.  

 

Occur rather frequently and , in most cases , are benign and devoid of complications , disappearing in a short time ( usually within 1-2 menstrual cycles ) without any need for therapy . In these cases it is simple alterations related to the functionality of the follicles ( the spherical bodies which contain the maturing egg cell , located in the cortex of the ovary ) and corpora lutea normal , but you should not underestimate the fact that the ovarian cysts may represent the most severe forms , such as endometrial cysts , dermoid cysts and , at worst , benign tumors ( cistomi , ovarian fibroids ) or malignant ( cistocarcinomi and cistosarcomi ) . Among the possible forms of ovarian cyst , should also be included the so-called polycystic ovary , consisting of a number of follicles of different sizes and with different degrees of development , mainly caused by the dynamic mechanisms of ovulation and female hormonal alteration .

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