The ovaries are part of your reproductive system (which is in the lower part of your abdomen, called the pelvis).
The other organs in the reproductive system are:
- Vagina
- Womb or uterus (this also includes the cervix)
- Fallopian tubes
- Ovaries
Facts about your ovaries…
- They’re almond shaped and about 4cm long. You have two, one on either side of your womb. The fallopian tubes are part of your womb and they link the ovaries to the womb.
- At puberty your ovaries start to release an egg every month. From then on you can get pregnant. The egg goes down the fallopian tube towards the womb, while the lining of the womb thickens, ready for the egg to be fertilised. If the egg isn’t fertilised by sperm during sex, the egg and the lining of the womb are passed out of the vagina as your monthly period (menstruation).
- When you reach puberty, your ovaries also start to make the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. They cause all your female features to develop like breasts, periods and body hair. They also control pregnancy.
- As women get older, the ovaries make less and less hormones until periods stop altogether. This is called menopause or “the change”. The age that we start puberty or reach menopause varies from woman to woman. We’re all different.
