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question

Could losing one ovary cause irregular periods?

Patricia Geraghty, NP
Patricia Geraghty, NP
Women's Health
answer

Losing one ovary, as long as the remaining ovary is healthy, should not cause irregular periods.

The control of our menstrual cycles is a result of the communication between the brain and ovaries. The messengers are our hormones which are transported in the blood throughout the whole body. In a feed back system between the brain and the immature eggs, or primoridial follicles, an egg is selected for ovulation and the lining of the uterus grows and matures. After ovulation, the hormone levels gradually drop and then the uterine lining sloughs off. This is the menstrual period.

A female develops a huge number of primordial follicles even before birth. Although the number of follicles then begins to decrease through natural cell death, ovulation and age, there are a sufficient number in each ovary to respond to the hormone messengers and continue regular ovulation and menses even though only one ovary remains.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.