Women can have all kinds of things happen to their cycles that simply don’t make sense. One cycle you may release two eggs and another cycle you may not release any. If you don’t release any eggs this is called an anovulatory cycle. The reason ovulation does not occur cannot be pinpointed to one thing. It is more common in perimenopause as well as in adolescence. Anovulation that occurs regularly can be a cause of infertility, too.

Cause

There are many potential causes of anovulation. For example, hormonal imbalances, extreme diets, or too much exercise may result in an anovulatory cycle. When a woman suffers from high levels of anxiety or stress then this may also put a damper on ovulation. In some women the cause is easy to pinpoint and even treat whereas in other women it’s nearly impossible to determine what the problem is exactly.

In general, the most common cause id a hormonal imbalance. For example, too much exercise can suppress gonadotropins, which are necessary for ovulation. Or, eating disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, pituitary gland tumors, or luteal phase defects may also play into an anovulatory cycle.

Using certain medications for long periods of time may also play a role. Oral contraceptives may play a role as well as inject able contraceptives like Depo Provera.

Your doctor will talk to you about your risk factors for anovulation and help determine what might be causing it. There are tests that may be conducted, too, to help pinpoint the problem. Generally, it is recommended to avoid fad diets, do not engage in strenuous exercise, eat a healthy diet, and manage stress appropriately.

Anovulation may not be easy to diagnose in some women, especially those who are having regular periods. In most cases when a woman does not ovulate she won’t menstruate either. If you aren’t menstruating then you are definitely having an anovulatory cycle. If you are having light bleeding and are trying to get pregnant with no success then you might want to talk to your doctor about anovulation.

• What is an Anovulatory Cycle?
• What Is An Anovulatory Cycle, What Causes It And How To Prevent It?
• Does A Missed Period Mean That No Ovulation Has Occurred?
• Can You Have A Period Without Ovulating?
• Are you always pregnant if you miss a period?
• Risks of Taking Clomid
• How Will My Irregular Periods Affect My Ability To Get Pregnant?
• Trying to Conceive Newsletter Issue 13
• Can Exercise Affect My Fertility?
• Does Weight Play a Role In Fertility?
• What Are Some Other Causes Of A Missed/Late Period If Not Pregnant?
• Low estrogen levels: Can this affect ovulation?

This entry was posted under Fertility Issues.