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Glossary - O
Ovaries: The organs that produce eggs in the female body.
Ovarian cyst: A growth in or on the ovary, filled with fluid. Called an endometrioma, when caused by endometriosis and filled with dark, old blood.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: A side effect of fertility treatments that stimulate the ovaries to produce follicles (eggs). It can be life threatening. It occurs when too many follicles (with eggs) are produced.
Ovarian failure: When the ovary no longer responds to the hormone FSH and does not produce follicles (with eggs) – either because it is damaged or hasn’t formed properly or has no eggs left. This can be spotted by a blood test in which the FSH in the blood is raised.
Ovulate/ovulation: When the egg is ripe and is released from the ovary. The follicle surrounding it breaks open and it will travel into the fallopian tube, to wait for fertilisation. If the egg then becomes fertilised it will travel into the womb and implant.
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