E28: Ovarian dysfunction

E28.3: Primary ovarian failure

There are two ovaries in the body. The ovaries are influenced by regulating messenger substances from the brain. The ovaries themselves create various sex hormones. These include female and male sex hormones. The sex hormones affect the female cycle, fat distribution in the body, skin and hairiness, for example.

You have too few female sex hormones from the group of estrogens in your body. Your ovaries may not react to a regulating messenger substance from the brain. The regulating messenger substance can usually latch on to the ovaries. The ovaries then create estrogens. Your ovaries are creating too few estrogens or none at all. As a result, you may not be having your period. The ovaries normally create fewer estrogens only after menopause.