The ovaries are a key part of the normal development and reproductive function of women.
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Anatomy
Eggs are transported from the ovaries to the uterus via the fallopian tubes. Surrounding the entrance to the fallopian tubes are tiny fimbriae, or fingerlike projections, which guide the egg into the tube each month.
The Ovaries Through Your Lifespan
You areborn with all of the eggs you’ll ever need, around 1 million in each ovary. By puberty, when you’ll most likely receive your first period, the number of eggs in each ovary is around 200,000–400,000.During the childbearing years, approximately 300–500 eggs will develop and be released during ovulation.
Aftermenopause, the ovaries will stop producing eggs and atrophy (shrink). Due to a loss of ovarian functioning and loss of estrogen production, postmenopausal people commonly experience symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Estrogen deficiency also increases your risk of developing osteoporosis, which increases your risk of bone fracture.
The Ovaries' Role in the Menstrual Cycle
While cycles may be irregular in the beginning, they will eventually become more regular, with the start of one period being about 28 days from the start of the next. Each month, approximately 10–12 eggfollicleswill begin to develop. One will continue to produce a mature egg. The rest will be reabsorbed into the ovarian tissue.
About 14 days into the menstrual cycle, that mature egg will be released in a process called ovulation. Afterovulationoccurs, the empty follicle is known as a corpus luteum. It will produceprogesteroneand other hormones crucial for pregnancy for about 14 days.
Progesterone helps prepare and thicken the lining of the uterus for implantation if fertilization of the egg with sperm occurs. Also, iffertilizationdoes occur, this hormonal support will continue throughout pregnancy to prevent other eggs from maturing. If fertilization does not occur, progesterone levels will decline, the corpus luteum will degenerate, and menstruation will begin.
When Ovulation Occurs in the Menstrual Cycle
Hormonal Role of the Ovaries
The ovaries are also a significant source of testosterone for women, especially after menopause.
Bottom Line
The ovaries and the hormones they produce (notably estrogen and progesterone) play a crucial function in reproductive aging.
Frequently Asked QuestionsFollicles in the ovaries are small, fluid-filled sacs that contain an immature egg. During a woman’s menstrual cycle, a follicle will develop and release a mature egg so that it can be fertilized. Each ovary contains thousands of follicles, but most of them never mature.In the female reproductive system, testosterone is primarily produced in the ovaries. It is also produced in the adrenal glands, which are found on top of both of the kidneys.The ovaries stop releasing eggs atmenopauseand then begin to shrink, though they don’t disappear completely. They also stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone.Learn MoreAn Overview of Menopause
Frequently Asked Questions
Follicles in the ovaries are small, fluid-filled sacs that contain an immature egg. During a woman’s menstrual cycle, a follicle will develop and release a mature egg so that it can be fertilized. Each ovary contains thousands of follicles, but most of them never mature.
In the female reproductive system, testosterone is primarily produced in the ovaries. It is also produced in the adrenal glands, which are found on top of both of the kidneys.
The ovaries stop releasing eggs atmenopauseand then begin to shrink, though they don’t disappear completely. They also stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone.Learn MoreAn Overview of Menopause
The ovaries stop releasing eggs atmenopauseand then begin to shrink, though they don’t disappear completely. They also stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Learn MoreAn Overview of Menopause
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Michigan Medicine Rogel Cancer Center.Normal ovarian function.Endocrine Society.Menopause and bone loss.National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health.Ovary.University of California San Francisco Health.The menstrual cycle.National Institutes of Health (NIH).Ovarian follicle.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Adrenal glands.Additional ReadingThe North American Menopause Society. (2014).The Menopause Practice: A Clinician’s Guide, 5thed.Mayfield Heights, OH: The North American Menopause Society.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Michigan Medicine Rogel Cancer Center.Normal ovarian function.Endocrine Society.Menopause and bone loss.National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health.Ovary.University of California San Francisco Health.The menstrual cycle.National Institutes of Health (NIH).Ovarian follicle.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Adrenal glands.Additional ReadingThe North American Menopause Society. (2014).The Menopause Practice: A Clinician’s Guide, 5thed.Mayfield Heights, OH: The North American Menopause Society.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Michigan Medicine Rogel Cancer Center.Normal ovarian function.Endocrine Society.Menopause and bone loss.National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health.Ovary.University of California San Francisco Health.The menstrual cycle.National Institutes of Health (NIH).Ovarian follicle.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Adrenal glands.
Michigan Medicine Rogel Cancer Center.Normal ovarian function.
Endocrine Society.Menopause and bone loss.
National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health.Ovary.
University of California San Francisco Health.The menstrual cycle.
National Institutes of Health (NIH).Ovarian follicle.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Adrenal glands.
The North American Menopause Society. (2014).The Menopause Practice: A Clinician’s Guide, 5thed.Mayfield Heights, OH: The North American Menopause Society.
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