Lack of ovulation: Certain processes occur regularly in a woman’s body that allow her to maintain reproductive function. The most important of them is ovulation – the release of an egg from the ovary. This stage falls approximately in the middle of the menstrual cycle. If there is no ovulation for one reason or another, then the fertilization process becomes impossible, respectively, a woman cannot become pregnant.
Physiological and pathological factors of lack of ovulation
The reasons for the lack of ovulation may not always be related to the disease. In some cases, there are natural physiological processes that occur in a woman’s body. The most typical example is pregnancy and breastfeeding. At this time, a woman lacks not only ovulation, but also menstruation.
The reasons for the lack of ovulation may be related to age-related changes. In a woman whose age exceeds 35 years, approximately every third cycle is anovulatory. Subsequently, the release of an egg from the ovaries is observed less and less and completely stops with menopause. Among other physiological reasons for the absence of ovulation, one can note a pronounced lack of body weight, taking certain hormonal drugs (oral contraceptives).
Reasons for the lack of ovulation
However, often a violation of the ovulation process is a direct consequence of various diseases. These include:
- ovarian pathology (inflammatory processes, benign and malignant tumors);
- diseases of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus;
- stress;
- pathology of the endocrine system;
- diseases of the adrenal glands, etc.
Some of these reasons for the lack of ovulation can lead to disruption of other processes in the body, so it is important to identify and eliminate them in a timely manner.
Reasons for the lack of ovulation
Anovulation is one of the most common causes of infertility. Various factors can provoke this condition.
The presence of diseases
The reasons for the lack of ovulation can be various hormonal disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, thyroid pathology, congenital anomalies, tumors. Treatment in this case will consist in the identification and elimination of pathology. Only then can the normal physiological cycle be restored.
Discontinuation of hormonal medications
Anovulation as a result of taking oral contraceptives is a frequent occurrence. In most women, ovulation is restored already in the next cycle after the withdrawal of drugs, but in some cases the cycle can recover up to six months. In such a situation, it is recommended to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.
Body weight change
Adipose tissue is not just our “reserves”, it also affects hormonal metabolism, which can affect, among other things, reproductive function. Similar changes can occur with a sharp weight loss or too low body mass index in summer. Therefore, both obesity and weight deficiency can be the reasons for the lack of ovulation. At the same time, it can be very difficult to restore the cycle without normalization of BMI.
Increased physical activity
Usually this factor is detected in professional athletes. Regular and excessively high physical exertion, combined with a weakly expressed fat layer, mental and physical fatigue, and especially taking hormonal drugs to achieve high results, cause the absence of ovulation. As a rule, after reducing the intensity and frequency of training, this violation disappears.
Change of situation
Frequent change of time zones, moving to a country with a different climate, changing habitual living conditions are accompanied by stress, against which the menstrual cycle may be disrupted and ovulation may disappear. Usually these conditions are temporary and disappear after the stress factor is eliminated.
Menopause
This natural process is accompanied by a gradual extinction of ovarian function. Accordingly, the absence of ovulation during menopause is a natural phenomenon. The average age of menopause is 50 years. This condition is preceded by premenopause, which begins at 45-47 years. It is accompanied by symptoms such as an irregular monthly cycle and irregular ovulation. In the future, menstruation and ovulation completely stops.
Thus, the reasons for the absence of ovulation can be very diverse and do not always indicate the presence of any diseases. It is not easy to determine them yourself. If a woman does not become pregnant for a long time, it is necessary to consult a doctor, undergo an examination and follow exactly the prescribed treatment plan, for example, follow the schedule of taking clomid and other doctor’s prescriptions.
Methods for diagnosing the lack of ovulation
It is very difficult to independently determine the cause of the absence of ovulation. However, the problem may manifest itself with certain symptoms, which include:
- irregular menstrual cycle;
- complete absence of menstruation;
- basal temperature measurement;
- severe bleeding during menstruation;
- no signs of premenstrual syndrome.
If a woman notices such changes in her state of health, she should make an appointment with a gynecologist as soon as possible.
In order to identify the exact cause of the absence of ovulation, the specialist prescribes a comprehensive examination, which includes the following methods:
- determination of the level of sex hormones in the blood;
- Ultrasound of the ovaries, thyroid gland, abdominal cavity and pelvic organs;
- vaginal swabs;
- tests for sexually transmitted infections.
After the reason for the absence of ovulation is identified, the doctor will be able to prescribe the necessary treatment.