The ovaries are a the female reproductive organs. One of the pair of ovaries is located on each side of the uterus in the pelvis.

Diagram of the female reproductive system. Image Credit: Suwin / Shutterstock.com

There are three important functions of the ovarian glands:

• Hormone secretion
• Protection of the eggs females are born with
• Monthly egg release

Structure of the ovaries

Each ovary is the same sort of shape and size as an almond, and the organs mature during puberty. The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a fetus can grow. The ovaries are held in place by ligaments joined to the uterine wall, and connected to the uterus via fallopian tubes, which the egg passes down on its monthly release ready to be fertilized.

Hormone production

The ovaries produce female reproductive hormones: progesterone, estrogen, relaxin and inhibin. These hormones have effects on:

• The way breasts and body hair grow
• Body shape
• The menstrual cycle
• Pregnancy

Estrogen helps the breasts to develop and the hips to become larger, both important aspects of female reproduction.

Progesterone causes the uterine lining to build up and keeps it in the event of fertilization.

Relaxin is utilized during labor when it allows the pelvic ligaments to loosen and stretch.

Inhibin inhibits hormone production in the pituitary gland.

Ovulation

Every month, during a woman's menstrual cycle, an egg grows inside an ovary. It grows in a follicle, a small sac. When an egg matures, the follicle breaks open to release the egg. The egg travels to the uterus through the fallopian tube for fertilization, a process called ovulation.

The uterus has been prepared for this – progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle cause the uterus lining to build up so that it is thicker, ready to accept an egg.

This progesterone is made by the corpus luteum (a yellow, progesterone-secreting mass of cells that forms from an ovarian follicle after the release of a mature egg).

After around nine days post-ovulation, if the egg has not been fertilized, the corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone stops being made and menstruation occurs. The uterus lining breaks down, flushing out the unfertilized egg.

Alternatively, if the egg has been fertilized, progesterone keeps being produced by the corpus luteum, making the uterus hospitable and preventing further release of eggs from the ovaries.

Infographic of the female menstrual cycle. Image Credit: VectorMine / Shutterstock.com

Diseases of the ovaries

Diseases of the ovaries include:

• Ovarian cysts – very common and often harmless
• Ovarian cancer – can form from cancerous cysts
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – cysts grow on the outside of the ovaries as hormones are not being produced enabling egg release from their follicles. PCOS can have serious implications and should be treated.

Further Reading

• All Ovarian Cancer Content
• Ovarian Cancer
• Who Gets Ovarian Cancer?
• Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
• Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis, Prevention