Becoming more knowledgeable about your body before and during pregnancy is crucial for a smooth journey. While many women are familiar with their bodies’ ebbs and flows, understanding your ovaries can make a significant difference. Here are some fun and interesting facts on your body’s most vital reproductive organ.
1. What Are Ovaries & Where Are the Ovaries Situated?
The ovaries, found on each side of the uterus, are glands that create and store eggs and produce hormones for your menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Every month, one ovary releases an egg, potentially leading to pregnancy if fertilized by sperm.
2. What Are Ovarian Follicles?
Ovarian follicles are fluid-filled sacs in a woman's ovaries. They secrete hormones affecting the menstrual cycle and each has the potential to release an egg. Women start puberty with around 300,000 to 400,000 follicles, but this number decreases over time.
3. What is the Function of an Ovary?
The ovaries produce eggs, or ovums, with about one released every 28 days during ovulation. They also produce and release hormones vital for stimulating the female reproductive organs, triggering puberty, and regulating menopause.
4. What Hormones Do Ovaries Produce?
During the first part of your menstrual cycle before ovulation, the ovaries produce mainly estrogen. Estrogen is responsible for the development of female reproductive organs and the menstrual cycle. After ovulation, production focuses mainly on progesterone, which helps maintain a normal menstrual cycle. Progesterone is important during pregnancy and after for milk production.
More hormones are released during pregnancy than at any other time in a woman’s life. FIRST RESPONSE™ Early Result Pregnancy Test can tell you whether you’re pregnant 6 days sooner than the day of your missed period1.
5. How Do Ovaries and Eggs Work?
A baby girl is born with all the eggs she will ever have in her lifetime. At birth, a woman’s ovaries typically contain hundreds of thousands to millions of these eggs. However, only 300-400 of these eggs will mature and be released for potential fertilization throughout her lifetime. As she progresses through life, the number of eggs diminishes gradually. By the time a girl reaches puberty, her egg count will have diminished to around 400,000. Eventually, as she approaches menopause, she will have only about 400-500 eggs remaining.
6. What Is the Ovaries Purpose Throughout a Woman’s Life?
The ovaries undergo several changes during a woman’s life. Before puberty, follicles (which later turn into eggs) develop in the ovaries. During puberty hormonal activity begins, causing ovulation. Around the age of 45-50 menopause occurs, causing the ovaries to atrophy and stop producing eggs. After a woman’s last menstrual cycle, the ovaries no longer serve a purpose.
7. What is the Normal Ovarian Size, Shape, and Texture?
Ovaries are grayish pink in color, have an uneven surface, and are about the shape and size of an almond. The size of the ovary changes depending on the woman’s age, being larger during her reproductive phase and shrinking after menopause. The uneven surface of the ovary is caused by cystic structures. These are normal, as the structures represent different stages of egg growth and development.
8. Are There Any Health Risks or Conditions Associated with Ovaries?
Ovaries can cease to work in women with low body weight or female athletes who maintain a small percentage of body fat. The ovaries will begin to function again when the woman gains back weight.
Ovarian cancer poses a significant threat, often challenging to detect and therefore one of the deadliest. It is the deadliest cancer of the female reproductive system, claiming more lives than any other. Symptoms, such as bloating or abdominal pain, are often common and can result in delayed diagnosis. If detected early ovarian cancer is treatable.
Many women develop ovarian cysts, which are fluid-filled pockets on the ovary. Most cysts occur when the egg is not properly released, or the follicle does not dissolve properly. Most cysts are harmless and will go away on their own. Ovarian cysts can cause trouble if they bleed, twist or rupture. It is important to consult your doctor if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, as only a doctor can discover if you have a dangerous cyst or other issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, or ovarian cancer.
Uncovering the Role of Your Ovaries During Your Pregnancy Journey
During pregnancy, knowing about your ovaries and how your body supports conception and gestation is crucial. This helps you make informed decisions about health and fertility. Prioritize your well-being by seeking support through regular check-ups, prenatal classes, and emotional support from loved ones. Remember, you're not alone on this journey, and staying informed and supported is key to a healthy pregnancy. For more support, visit the First Response™ Pregnancy Hub.
1 FIRST RESPONSE™ Early Result detects the pregnancy hormone 6 days sooner than the day of your missed period (5 days before the day of expected period).
The content provided on this page is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Cervical mucus, often abbreviated CM, may not have the most pleasant sounding name but it is an important part of your everyday bodily functions. It has huge importance to TTC couples, which is why it’s important to know how to check your cervical mucus, identify when it’s most fertile and how to improve it.
First, determine the length of your normal cycle. It could be anywhere from 20 to 45 days long. Start counting on day one of your period (the first day of bleeding or spotting) — and stop counting on the first day of your next period. This is the length of your cycle.
The first phase of your cycle is called the follicular phase. This begins on Day one of your cycle, which is the first full day of menstrual bleeding when the lining of the uterus starts to shed.