Check out the various causes of anovulation. To better understand this we include signs and symptoms of ovulation disorders as well as the ways to treat them.
We all know that the birth of a new life requires the participation of two cells, the sperm and the egg. This egg ripens every month in the ovary of a woman. However, sometimes it happens that this process is broken and ovulation does not occur, and hence conception is impossible. This often becomes the main cause of infertility. This process of ovulation disorder is called anovulation. So, why does this happen and how to return the “lost” egg? Let’s learn all about it and more.
Before anything let’s learn about ovulation and what causes irregularities in it.
Every month in the ovary of a woman ripens a tiny vial, a follicle containing an egg. Approximately in the middle of the cycle, it leaves the follicle and this process is called ovulation. Later, the egg is captured by the fallopian tube and moves along it to the uterus. This process is controlled by hormones produced in the brain and ovaries.
In addition, the processes that occur in other organs and tissues, for example, in the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and adipose tissue, can influence the development of the egg cell as well. Violation in function of any of these organs and tissues leads to a malfunction in the maturation of the oocyte. The menstrual cycle, in which there is no ovulation, is called the anovulatory cycle. Also, the absence of ovulation in women is called anovulation.
Sensations of Ovulation Disorder
Unfortunately, a woman may not even know that her egg does not ripen and does not come out. This is because often the monthly ones go in the usual rhythm. However, in such cases, problem arises with the conception. Since if the egg is not released from the ovary, then the spermatozoon has nothing to fertilize. Hence, it is clear that pregnancy in this case cannot be expected.
Ovulation disorders or anovulation can occur for a variety of reasons. Some of them are physiological where others are associated with diseases of both reproductive and other systems and organs.
Causes of Anovulation
It should be noted that even in healthy women, ovulation is not observed every month. In addition, there are periods of life when it does not happen at all. So, ovulation is not present in older women in the menopause period, and nothing can be done about this.
Reduction in the number of ovulation per year begins at the age of 30 sometimes earlier, sometimes later. In young girls anovulatory cycles occur 1-2 times a year. For women older than 35 years it happens every second month. And by the age of 45 three quarters of all cycles are anovulatory cycle. For this reason, the older the woman, the more difficult it becomes for her to become pregnant.
- Pregnant Women
Speaking of pregnancy it is absolutely normal for pregnant women to not have ovulation. The absence of ovulation in pregnant women is actually considered as the early signs of pregnancy. Also, anovulation is common in nursing mothers in the first months after childbirth. However, it depends on if the mother feeds the baby on demand and the baby is exclusively breastfed.
- Weight of a Woman
Often the absence of ovulation can be caused by weight problems. It is often observed in women weighing less than 45 kg and with a sharp decrease in body weight by 5-10% per month.
The researchers found that for the onset of ovulation, it is necessary that 18% of the mass of the woman is fatty tissue. Since fat cells accumulate the hormone estrogen, the hormones responsible for the maturation and release of the egg are transformed.
In case of an insufficient amount of hormones, the monthly losses disappear and therefore, there is no ovulation. However, even with excessive deposition of adipose tissue, the same result is possible. Keep in mind that not only the low content of hormones negatively affects, but the high content affects as well.
- Contraceptives Drugs
Anovulation is considered normal in women taking oral contraceptives or using other methods of hormonal contraception. After all, the action of these drugs is precisely to suppress the maturation of the egg. Sometimes after a long reception of oral contraceptives there can be a complication. One of these complexities is the absence of menstruation and the possibility of conception within 6 months after stopping them.
Ovulation disorders can also be caused by intense physical stress, chronic fatigue, prolonged travel and climate change. In all these cases, the failure in the maturation of the egg is caused by the protective reaction of the organism to overloads.
Diseases Leading to Anovulation
Many hormonal-active tissues and human organs take part in the ovulation process. So, any violations of this process can be caused by many different diseases.
Various pathologies of the ovaries like congenital anomalies of the ovaries, ovarian tumors, severe inflammatory diseases of the ovaries or polycystic ovary changes.
- Diseases of the Pituitary and Hypothalamus
The pituitary gland is the gland of the brain. It produces a variety of hormones that regulate the activity of all the endocrine glands in the body. If the production of hormones of this organ is disturbed, this leads to a malfunction in the process of ovulation. The hypothalamus (part of the brain) regulates the function of the pituitary gland in response to changes in the environment. It is with prolonged strong stress that it rebuilds the pituitary gland to a “survival” mode, blocking the reproduction function.
- Diseases of the Adrenal Glands
One of the functions of the adrenal glands is the synthesis and processing of sex hormones, both female and male. If this function is broken, then the woman can shift the balance towards the “male” hormones, which negatively affects ovulation. This in turn causes anovulatory cycle.
- Diseases of the Thyroid Gland
Hormones produced by the thyroid gland are responsible for the normal functioning of all body systems, including reproductive.
With a decrease in its function, a regular cycle can persist, but it becomes an anovulatory cycle. If the deviations are significant, menstruation ceases.
The most common cause of reduced thyroid function is the deficiency of iodine. Therefore, during the planning period, the doctors recommend that women use iodized salt and additionally take potassium iodide.
If you follow the specialist advise then dealing with this cause would be simple and quick.
Determination of Ovulation
Usually, the couple planning a pregnancy, with regular sexual life and right menstrual cycle, should not specifically calculate the time of ovulation. Evidence of unquestionable ovulation will be the onset of pregnancy. Most often women do not have problems with the ovulation. Instead it’s just women have menstrual cycle that has a constant interval and duration of 21 to 35 days. However, if the pregnancy is delayed, then it is worth checking whether ovulation occurs.
- Temperature to Check for Ovulation
Ovulation can be determined at home by measuring the basal temperature that is the temperature in the rectum.
Normally in the first half of the cycle, it is below 37 ° C. However, a day before the onset of ovulation slightly decreases, and then sharply increases to 37.2-37.4 ° C. At this level, the temperature is held for 10-14 days and falls before the menstrual period. If there is a pregnancy, then the temperature will not decrease.
This method is quite simple, but it requires exact observance of the measurement rules.
- Luteinizing Hormone Test for Ovulation
To determine the presence of ovulation at home it can also be done with tests for ovulation. They are similar to pregnancy tests and are based on the definition of the luteinizing hormone peak. This hormone reaches its maximum markings directly on the eve of the release of the egg from the follicle. Its level increases in the urine, which is fixed by the test indicator for 12-24 hours before ovulation. If there is a suspicion that anovulation occurs then you should definitely consult a doctor to conduct a survey.
- Vaginal Discharge to Detect Ovulation
Usually ovulation is accompanied by the appearance of special vaginal discharge. They become viscous, similar to egg white, and go no more than 3-4 days.
Sometimes the next day after ovulation there are scanty spotting from the vagina, which stop within a day. Also there is a slight discomfort in lower abdomen from the side of the ovary where the egg is ripe. Drawing pains in the back are possible as well.
In addition to these signs, doctors can use other methods to diagnose problems with ovulation and their cause. The most reliable of these is ultrasound. In addition, it is necessary to conduct a study of the level of hormones in the blood. It will not only determine if there are problems with ovulation, but also help to establish their cause.
Treatment of Anovulation
The problems of ovulation are dealt with by a gynaecologist-endocrinologist or reproductive specialist. Treatment begins with a complete examination. The results of these tests would help your specialist to determine a proper treatment plan for you.
So, if the test shows that anovulation is due to external factors like lifestyle or some nutritional problem. Then the doctor would recommend change in eating habits or some exercises. If there is a weight factor then these treatment would be enough to get the ovulation going again.
However, if the ovulation disorder is due to internal problems then doctor may prescribe some medicine for infertility. These drugs are meant to fight women’s infertility problem which at the moment is anovulation. These will help to increase estrogen levels, help ovaries to release an egg and ripen the follicle there by causing an ovulation.
The last stand for treatment is surgery which is only done when a tumor is discovered.
Tips to Remember
- There is no reason to fear this. Anovulation is common in women if it happens 1-2 times a year.
- As we get older the frequency of ovulation disorder increases.
- There are various external factors of ovulation problems like lifestyle, weight, etc.
- Contraceptives are known to cause anovulation in women as they are meant specifically for this purpose.
- It can also be caused by various diseases as well.
- It can be diagnosed by basal temperature, vaginal discharge and luteinizing hormone test.
- There are many test to diagnose anovulation and its causes like ultrasound.
- Treatment of ovulation depends on the cause of it. This is when doctor would either prescribe a medicine or an exercise. In worst case there may even be a chance of surgery.