Healthy Lifestyle: All you need to know about ovary health

1 July 2015 2:10 PM

The ovaries are a pair of organs that women have. They are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond.

In today’s Healthy Lifestyle feature we look at ovaries and other issues surrounding the health of ovaries. Dr Onthatile Matlhaga, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in private practice, answered listeners questions on The Redi Tlhabi Show.

Ovaries produce hormones that keep you well-balanced. They produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone for periods and reproduction.

Three categories of ovarian health:

Ovarian Health in Children
Ovarian Health in the reproductive age
Ovarian Health in the Post reproductive age (Menopause)

Ovarian Cysts

Many women have ovarian cysts at some time during their lives. In most cases a cyst on the ovary does no harm and goes away by itself. Cysts are sometimes painful but not always.

Premature ovarian failure (POF)

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is when a woman's ovaries stop working before she turns 40. Most people mistake POF for premature menopause. With premature menopause, your periods stop before age 40 and you can no longer get pregnant.

Symptoms may be similar to those of natural menopause: