The vulva, vagina, uterus (womb) and ovaries.

What do your ovaries do?
Your ovaries play a critical role in both menstruation and conception. They produce eggs for fertilization and they make the hormones estrogen and progesterone. An ovary releases an egg around the middle of your menstrual cycle (around day 14 of a 28-day cycle) in a process called ovulation.

Each of your ovaries has thousands of ovarian follicles. Ovarian follicles are small sacs in the ovaries that hold immature eggs. Each month, between days six and 14 of your menstrual cycle, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) causes follicles in one of your ovaries to mature. At about day 14 in the menstrual cycle, a sudden surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) causes the ovary to release an egg (ovulation).

The egg begins its travel through a narrow, hollow structure called the fallopian tube to the uterus. As the egg travels through the fallopian tube, the level of progesterone rises, which helps prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy.

If you don't become pregnant that cycle, the egg disintegrates and gets reabsorbed by your body so menstruation can begin.

What hormones do the ovaries produce?
Your ovaries secrete estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play an important role in reproductive development and menstruation. Estrogen production is highest in the first half of your menstrual cycle before ovulation. Progesterone rises during the second half of your cycle to prepare your uterus for a fertilized egg (if conception occurs).

Where are the ovaries located?
Your ovaries are on the right and left sides of the uterus in your lower abdomen. Your ovaries are held in place by several muscles and ligaments in your pelvis. The ovarian ligament connects your ovaries to your uterus; however, your uterus and ovaries don't touch.

What does ovarian pain feel like?
Some people feel pain around the time of ovulation. This is normal and can feel like mild cramping or aching in your side. Other people notice light bleeding, irregular discharge or stomachaches during ovulation. However, others do not notice they are ovulating and have no ovulation pain.

Contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing ongoing or chronic pain in the region around your ovaries, as it could be a sign of a more serious issue. Certain conditions of the ovaries need prompt medical treatment.

What are the symptoms of ovary problems?
People can experience different symptoms depending on the condition. If you have a problem with your ovaries, you could experience:

• Pelvic pain or bloating.
• Abdominal pressure or tenderness.
• Nausea or diarrhea.
• Irregular vaginal bleeding.
• Vaginal discharge.
• Period pain (dysmenorrhea).

What happens when an ovary dies?

Adnexal torsion or ovarian torsion can cause your ovary to die. In this case, your ovary becomes twisted around the ovarian ligament, cutting off the blood supply. A twisted ovary is painful, and if left untreated, can cause the ovary to die. A dead or dying ovary needs to be removed with surgery because the area around the ovary can become inflamed and swollen. The surgery to remove your ovaries is called oophorectomy.

What happens to your ovaries during menopause?

Your ovaries stop making estrogen and stop releasing eggs, and you lose the ability to get pregnant. Your ovaries also atrophy or become smaller. The average age of menopause is 51.

Can you get pregnant in your ovaries?

Yes, it's possible to get pregnant in your ovaries. An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus.