Although their size can vary naturally from person to person, ovaries can also become enlarged for several reasons. Although some causes of enlarged ovaries are harmless, such as ovulation , others may require treatment. Sometimes, the ovaries may become so enlarged that a person or doctor can feel the ovary in the pelvis, but this is not often the case.
When someone has symptoms that could indicate enlarged ovaries or another ovarian condition, a doctor is likely to recommend an ultrasound. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the pelvic organs. Doctors may do the ultrasound across the abdomen transabdominal or insert the probe into the vagina transvaginal.
Ovulation is when an ovary releases an egg for fertilization. During ovulation, the ovaries can become hyperstimulated by hormones and may temporarily enlarge. PCOS is a common condition in which a hormonal imbalance causes small cysts to develop on the ovaries. People with PCOS may experience irregular periods and might find it difficult to get pregnant, as the ovaries may not release eggs regularly.
PCOS can also cause weight gain and excess hair growth on the body. This rare condition occurs when fluid builds up in the ovarian tissue. Most of the time, ovarian edema occurs in only one ovary. Ovarian edema may occur due to partial ovarian torsion, which blocks the blood flow and prevents lymph fluid from draining. As a result, fluid builds up, and the ovary enlarges. Ovarian torsion refers to the ovary becoming partially or fully rotated around the supporting tissues. It is a medical emergency.
Ovarian torsion cuts off the blood flow to the ovary and can cause significant nausea, pelvic pain, and vomiting. It requires prompt surgery to correct the rotation and restore blood flow. The ovaries are subject to several types of benign, or non-cancerous, growths or cysts. These include mature cystic teratomas, fibrothecomas, and cystadenoma. Treatment will vary depending on what is causing the issue, and by tracking the ovarian pain, a medical professional will better be able to diagnose the cause.
Even if the pain is not debilitating, it is important to discuss with a medical professional, preferably a gynecologist, so it can be examined and treated. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled masses unlike ovarian tumors, which are solid , found growing on one or both ovaries. Most ovarian cysts are not harmful and do not trigger symptoms.
Pain during ovulation, also known as Mittelschmerz , is experienced when an ovary releases an egg. Generally this happens about fourteen days before the next menstrual period. Endometriosis occurs when tissue that looks and acts like endometrial tissue is developed outside the uterus. But for those with endometriosis, the endometrial tissue that is outside of the uterus still reacts to the hormonal fluctuations and results in small bleeding inside the pelvis, outside of the uterus, where the tissue had developed.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Dysmenorrhea. Evaluation of acute pelvic pain in women. Sofic A et al. Acta Inform Med. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
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