Health Education

Ovarian function

Ovaries are attached to the uterus, one on each side. They are the female reproductive organ. The functions of the ovaries are to produce ovum (eggs) and to secret hormone. After menopause, the ovaries stop functioning and the cortex becomes fibrosis.

The cause of benign ovarian tumor

The causes for ovarian tumor are still unknown. Generally speaking, most of the common ovarian tumors were benign. There are also malignant ovarian cancer related to risk factors like low parity, infertility, early menarche, and late menopause.

Clinical feature

1. usually no specific symptoms
2. dullness pain or discomfort
3. sometimes it causes severe abdominal pain due to the tumor torsion or rupture
4. irregular menstruation period
5. abnormal vaginal bleeding
6. palpable lower abdominal mass
7. upset gastrointestinal symptoms, such as poor appetite

Treatment

1. For young patient, physicians often prescribe oral contraceptive medication to suppress ovarian function and further reduce the risk of functional ovarian cancer.
2. If the tumor is small, patients are recommended to do follow-ups at the out-patient department, but if the tumor continues to grow big with multiple cysts, or when abnormal blood flow is discovered with ultrasonography, patients are suggested to undergo laparotomy or laparoscopic operation as the treatment.
3. If the ovaries or fallopian tubes increase in size after menopause , it is advised to seek medical promptly to exclude the possibility of malignancy.