6 causes of pain in the ovaries

The article was written by doctors of Internal Oncology - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital

The ovaries are two small glands located on either side of the lower pelvis. They play an important role in reproduction, the menstrual cycle and the development of sexual characteristics in women. Each month, one follicle matures into an egg, which is released from the ovary in a process called ovulation. For most women, this happens regularly from puberty until menopause.
Here are the 6 most common causes of ovarian pain:

Ovulation is the process by which an egg is released from the ovary and occurs around day 14 of the average menstrual cycle.
Some women feel nothing during ovulation, but other women experience severe discomfort for a few minutes or hours when they ovulate. Ovulation pain can occur on one or both sides of the body and is sometimes accompanied by nausea, bleeding, or increased vaginal discharge.
Treatment There is no cure for this phenomenon, some women take birth control pills to prevent ovulation and the associated discomfort.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection that has spread to the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes. Bacteria that cause sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea or thrush. It is also possible to get an infection from childbirth, an IUD, miscarriage, abortion, or another invasive procedure.
Treatment This disease requires antibiotics to treat the underlying infection. Mild cases can be treated with a single injection, while more severe conditions may require a stay in the hospital for intravenous antibiotics.

The ovaries are connected to the abdominal wall by a thin ligament, through which the blood vessels and nerves supplying the ovary also pass. It is possible for that ligament to twist, or even become knotted.
Torsion is more common if there is a cyst on the ovary because the cyst makes the ovary heavier or larger than normal.
Treatment Ovarian torsion causes severe ovarian pain and is a medical emergency. If not treated quickly, the ovaries can die because of the loss of blood supply.

Endometriosis is an abnormal growth of tissue that is affected by the menstrual cycle but outside the uterus. This tissue can develop anywhere in the abdomen or in the pelvis, including in the ovaries. At the beginning of the cycle, tissues grow due to increased levels of hormones in the body. Once menstruation begins, the tissues also begin to shed like the lining of the uterus. This can cause internal bleeding, scar tissue, and severe abdominal or pelvic pain.
Treatment Treatment for endometriosis can be with medication or surgery, depending on its severity. There is no cure for endometriosis, but it can be controlled with pain medication, hormonal medications, and surgery.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops in a woman's ovaries. Ovarian cysts are very common and in most cases do not cause any symptoms. However, a large or ruptured cyst can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Abdominal pain Bloating Menstrual irregularities Frequent urination Eating feeling fullness Stomach discomfort Most cysts are benign (not cancerous), but in extremely rare cases they can be cancerous.
Treatment If the ovarian cyst is small, it may be to watch and wait to see if it goes away. Some doctors will prescribe birth control pills to help the cyst shrink. If the cyst is very large, surgery to remove the cyst may be necessary.

Ovarian remnant syndrome occurs only in women who have had their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. If any ovarian tissue is left in the pelvis, it can continue to respond and produce hormones.
This can cause pain that is either constant or comes and goes. Women with ovarian remnant syndrome may also experience pain during sex, while urinating or having a bowel movement.
Treatment A woman with ovarian remnant syndrome may need medication or radiation therapy to destroy any remaining ovarian tissue. This will reduce the hormones produced by the residual tissue.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers a package of basic gynecological examination and screening packages, helping customers to detect early diseases of inflammatory diseases for easy and inexpensive treatment. Screening for early detection of gynecological cancer (cervical cancer).
When registering for the Basic Gynecological Examination and Screening Package, customers will receive:
Gynecological examination Gynecological ultrasound Transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries Bilateral breast ultrasound Other tests.

Reference source: Cancer.net