Ovaries, hormonal cycles and common cysts.

Hi there, welcome. Have you ask yourself, how do my ovaries work? if your answer is yes, I have good news for you. In this post we are talking about all related to ovaries, Hormonal cycle, most common cysts and more, and all you need to know about ovulation.

As you probably know the ovulation process is the beginning of a pregnancy, so if you want to learn something fascinating today keep reading.

 In addition to their role in producing egg cells, the ovaries also have the distinction of being an endocrine gland because they secrete hormones primarily estrogen and progesterone, that are vital to normal reproductive development and fertility in females.

Anatomy of the Ovaries

 Related post: All you need to know about ovulation.

Let’s begin..

Ovaries

Normal hormonal cycle and ovulation.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is found in the first half of the cycle or follicular phase, this hormone stimulates the growth of multiples follicles in the ovary, however only one ovarian follicle emerges at day 9 of the cycle, that follicle is known as Dominant follicle, other follicles on the ovary stop growing and then eventually regrets. The Luteinizing hormone (LH) surge from the pituitary gland on about day 14 and causes ovulation from that single dominant ovarian follicle. During the second half of the cycle or luteal phase, after the follicle is released from the dominant follicle the corpus luteum is formed, this structure releases hormones, mainly progesterone and some estrogen. Those two ovarian hormones prepare the endometrium for possible implantation of a fertilized egg.

So here is a summary:

• First hypothalamus Produce Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone or GnRH.
• Second Anterior Pituitary Produce FSH and LH.
• And finally Ovarian follicles start producing Estrogen and the corpus luteum starts producing Progesterone.

All hormones are crucial on the monthly menstrual cycle, the ovarian Hormones finally prepares the endometrium for possible implantation.

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More information about ovarian follicles. Ultrasound images of the ovaries starts here.

Ovaries, dominant follicle.

• A single ovarian follicle that enlarges between day 9 and day 14 on the cycle.
• The diameter increases from 1 cm to 2 cm during that time.
• When the diameter increases to 2 cm ovulation is expected to happen within the next 24 hours.
• Following ovulation a small amount of free fluid could be seen at the pelvis.

Ovaries, hemorrhagic ovarian cysts.

• A hemorrhagic cyst develops from a follicle or a corpus luteum by spontaneous rupture of blood vessels into the cystic cavity.
• This type of cyst contains blood clots or fibrin strands.
• This cyst will usually change its internal appearance and/or diminish in size.
• Bleeding within cystic lesions strongly suggest Benign nature.

Corpus luteum cyst ( most important cyst if you desire a pregnancy)

• After ovulation, the empty cavity of the ruptured follicle is gradually filled by luteal cells.
• This cyst is usually less than 2.5 cm in diameter however it can grow up to 8 cm in diameter, in this case, if a pregnancy occurs a follow-up Ultrasound is recommended to check the size of the cyst to prevent an Ovarian Torsion, but the pregnancy should be fine.
• This cyst is in charge of producing Progesterone, an important hormone for preparing the Endometrium for a possible pregnancy.

A small summary about abnormal ovarian cyst.

Theca lutein cyst is a hormone related lesion that may develop because of an abnormal/sudden increased of Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), This can be related to normal causes like Multiples pregnancies (TWINS etc..), but can also be related to Abnormal diseases like:

• Hydatiform Mole.
• Choriocarcinoma.
• Maternal fetal RH incompatibility.
• Diabetes.
• Some autoimmune diseases.

Read related topics:

All about uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Uterine Fibroids, how to naturally treat and prevent them.

All you need to know about early gestation.

Cause of infertility related to the ovaries.

Polycystic ovaries or PCOS.

Polycystic ovarian disease or PCOS is also known as choric anovulation syndrome, wherein dysfunctional hormonal cycles lead to chronic anovulation usually beginning at menarche. Clinical manifestation can include :

• Hirsutism.
• Obesity.
• Infertility.
• Abnormal periods.

With PCOS an increase of LH, Testosterone, and Androstenedione is usually found.

On patients with isolated Infertility caused by PCOS a medical treatment with Clomiphene citrate to induce ovulation can solve the problem.

As you can see many things has to occur for a pregnancy to happen.

How can you know if you are ovulating?

well, the most important signs of Ovulation are:

• A slight rise in basal body temperature.
• Wet and slippery vaginal discharge that has the appearance of egg whites.
• Slightly increased in sexual desire.

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Functional cysts are usually harmless, rarely cause symptoms and often disappears on their own within 2 or 3 menstrual cycles.

Types of cysts that are not related to menstrual cycles.

• Dermoid cysts: Also known as Teratomas, these types of cysts can contain tissue, such as hair, skin or teeth, because they form from embryonic cells. They are rarely cancerous.
• Cystadenomas: These develop on the surface of the ovary and might be filled with watery or a mucous material.
• Endometrioma: These develop as a result of a condition known as ENDOMETRIOSIS which is when endometrial cells grow outside of the uterus.
• Paraovarian cyst: A cyst that is found near the fallopian tubes or the ovaries, contains a defined membrane, they can go on their own or has to be surgically removed.

Ultrasound images of those ovarian cysts.

The most remarkable complications of large ovarian cysts can be:

Ovarian torsion or Cyst Ruptured, for this reason an ultrasound is also helpful to monitor ovarian cyst.

Final thoughts about Ovarian Cysts.

OK so this concludes Ovaries, I hope you enjoy my post and I want to encourage you to always check with your Gynecologist to Rule out any problems if you are not getting pregnant easily, keep in mind all women are different. I will see you in my next post, I will officially start pregnancy.

 Zadi. xo

Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is designed to provide helpful information about the topic and are made with the best of my knowledge, therefore, is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition, For diagnosis or treatments on any medical problems consult a physician. The author is not responsible or liable for any mistreated pathologies or wrong treatments.