What you need to know about the function of the ovaries

  Ovarian function includes two kinds of functions, one is reproductive function and the other is endocrine function. The reproductive function mainly depends on the development of follicles, and whether the follicles can develop and mature to ovulate is the main task of the reproductive function. The second function is the function of secreting sex hormones. As the follicles develop and mature to ovulate, the ovaries secrete different sex hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and to a lesser extent androgen. Each of these hormones carries out different physiological functions. Estrogen maintains the physical characteristics of women, such as female breast development, endometrial development, and maintaining the moisture elasticity of women’s skin. Progesterone prepares for pregnancy, and androgen acts on hair development.  In fact, only 30 years or so of a person’s life are spent with menstruation and changes in sex hormone secretion, during which the function of fertility can be accomplished. Before puberty and after menopause, there is no menstruation, which means that the ovaries are not functional. The life expectancy of Chinese women has now reached about 80 years. This means that more than one-half of a woman’s life is spent without sex hormone production.