Ovarian functional disorders

Ovarian hormonal function is under hypothalamo-hypophysis control during th e genital life of women. Local hormonal production induces follicular stimu lation and maturation. Two main types of functional disorder can be observe d: unilocular cyst, related to an ovulation mechanism, and polycystic ovari es. The former is a follicular cyst related to the absence of LH stimulatio n, or a luteal cyst, which may be anechoic or display a heterogeneous conte nt (pseudo-septa, pseudo-solid but avascular mass), The latter includes the polycystic ovarian syndrome, which is characterized by an increased ovaria n area (greater than or equal to 6cm(2)), stroma and follicles number, the multifollicular ovaries, which are related to functional hypothalamic anovu lation and characterized by a normal ovarian size with increased follicles number, and macropolycystic ovaries which are observed in case of previous pelvic infection disease or surgery. Functional disorders may be observed d uring pregnancy: luteoma, luteal cyst and hyperreactio luteinalis. Finally, ovarian insufficiency may occur too early.