Vaginal Diseases—Ovarian Disorders

The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system. Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond.

The ovaries produce and store a woman’s eggs. During ovulation, an ovary releases an egg. If that egg is fertilized by a sperm, a pregnancy can occur. Ovaries also make the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. When a woman goes through menopause, her ovaries stop making those hormones and releasing eggs.

Problems with the ovaries include

• Ovarian cancer
• Ovarian cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome
• Premature ovarian failure
• Ovarian torsion, a twisting of the ovary

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Ovarian overproduction of androgens (Medical Encyclopedia)

Vaginal problems are some of the most common reasons women go to the doctor. They may have symptoms such as

• Itching
• Burning
• Pain
• Abnormal bleeding
• Discharge

One common problem is vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina. Other problems that affect the vagina include sexually transmitted diseases, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer. Treatment of vaginal problems depends on the cause.

• Bartholin cyst or abscess (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Imperforate hymen (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Vaginal cysts (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Vaginal dryness (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Vaginal itching and discharge – Adult and adolescent (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Vaginal itching and discharge – child (Medical Encyclopedia)