Multifollicular ovaries - causes and signs of multifollicular ovaries

The phenomenon of multifollicular ovaries can be divided into two types:

• a normal variant (no treatment is required for this form);
• a symptom of another disease (often polycystic disease). In this case, treatment is simply necessary.

Causes

Detection of the phenomenon of development of a large number of follicles in a woman's ovaries is directly related to the widespread introduction of the ultrasound method into the diagnostic sphere. This is not a disease in itself, but an examination to confirm the healthy state of the body is still required.

It is believed that in a normal state, 4 to 7 follicles are formed in a woman's ovaries each menstrual cycle, each of which contains an egg. During its development, one of the follicles (sometimes two) begins to grow more actively, inhibiting the development processes of the others. As a result, when the egg is fully mature for fertilization, the follicle ruptures and the cell begins its movement toward the fallopian tube.

If a woman develops more follicles in each cycle, then we speak of multifollicular ovaries. There may be several reasons for this:

• heredity;
• sharp and strong changes in body weight, which leads to disruption of the normal production of luteinizing hormone;
• lactation period;
• exposure to severe stress;
• taking hormonal contraceptives on a regular basis;
• thyroid dysfunction;
• this phenomenon also occurs in young girls before full puberty.

Symptoms

Multifollicular ovaries do not affect pregnancy, since ovulation occurs, and the possibility of conception remains. A large number of follicles should cause concern if the phenomenon is accompanied by a violation of the normal menstrual cycle (in its extreme form - amenorrhea or the absence of menstruation for a long time, which leads to the inability to conceive and bear a child). This occurs if the cause is a violation of the secretion of luteinizing hormone and, undoubtedly, requires treatment.

Most often, the presence of multifollicular ovaries is discovered by chance during an ultrasound. If this phenomenon does not entail any violations, then treatment is not prescribed.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic measures (in addition to ultrasound of the ovaries, which allows us to identify the presence of multifollicular ovaries) for examining the general condition of the body may include:

• blood test for hormones;
• Dopplerography;
• MRI of the pelvic organs.

The main goal of diagnostics is to distinguish multifollicular ovaries from polycystic ovary syndrome.

Treatment

Such a phenomenon as multifollicular ovaries can be observed in a fairly large number of women. When the syndrome occurs during puberty, no action is taken and observation continues - often at the end of the process, the manifestations of multifollicular ovaries simply disappear. As already mentioned, if the phenomenon does not have a negative effect on the duration or presence of menstruation, and thus does not interfere with pregnancy, then gynecologists do not carry out treatment, and multifollicular ovaries are recognized as a normal variant in this woman.

In case of menstrual cycle disorders, treatment involves taking hormonal drugs to restore the normal balance of hormones in the body.

Prevention

In order not to become a hostage to the multifollicular ovary syndrome, you must follow some rules. Firstly, you must undergo a general examination by a gynecologist (ideally - twice a year). Secondly, you need to control your body weight, avoiding sudden changes, and exercise in reasonable quantities. Also, do not use hormonal contraceptives and pills without the approval of your doctor. If you have the slightest suspicion of the appearance of multifollicular ovaries, you should immediately consult a doctor.