Ovaries are paired organs, the condition of which largely determines the health and mood of a woman. But if at the examination or on ultrasound the doctor revealed enlarged ovaries - is it worth it to sound the alarm? What should I do if a woman's ovaries are enlarged?
About the reasons, read in our article.
Enlarged ovaries, most often, this is the consequence of the formation of a variety of cysts on the surface of these organs. Regardless of the type of cyst, it can grow to huge sizes, thereby disrupting the function of the ovary. Most often, cysts are small and do not provoke any symptoms. But sometimes, enlarged ovaries "scream" about a very serious pathology, such as cancer or torsion of the ovary.
Symptoms of enlarged ovaries
Most often, women who have a change in ovarian size, come to the doctor with the following complaints:
- pain in the lower abdomen or back;
- discomfort with urination;
- abundant discharge with menstruation;
- unusually severe pain during menstruation;
- pain during intercourse;
- abnormal vaginal bleeding;
- pain or sensitivity of the chest;
- constipation;
- loss of appetite.
The causes of enlarged ovaries are quite diverse, but the most common ones in practice are cystic enlargements:
- cyst of the yellow body (cyst that forms in the second half of the menstrual cycle);
- dermoid cyst (benign tumor, also known as teratoma);
- a follicular cyst (a cyst that forms during the menstrual cycle);
- endometrioma (an endometrial cyst that is located on the ovary);
- polycystic ovary (a pathology that is characterized by the presence of a large number of small cysts on the ovaries).
The rare causes of ovarian enlargement include:
There are also cases in which an enlarged ovary is a symptom of life-threatening conditions. In such cases, medical intervention should be as quick as possible.
These urgent conditions include the torsion of the ovary, in which the supply of blood to the organ stops.
If the cause of enlarged ovaries has been found, if necessary, you need to undergo a course of treatment in order to avoid possible complications. These include infertility and the spread of cancer. Therefore, be vigilant and listen to your body.