Anovulation - Symptom, Causes, Treatment of Anovulation

Anovulation is the failure of a woman to ovulate (release ova - eggs -from her ovaries). Anovulation is the medical term used when a woman does not ovulate. Ovulation is the release of mature eggs from a woman's ovary and is a critical part of the reproductive process.

Primary and secondary anovulation can both result from most of the disorders that lead to primary and secondary amenorrhoea (absence of menstruation). In some cases the cause is obscure. Anovulation can affect any woman of childbearing age. However, there are some risk factors that increase your chances of suffering from anovulation. These risk factors include:

• having PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• suffering from hursutism, or other hormonal disorders
• extreme weight loss or obesity

Anovulation may be primary, if a woman has never ovulated, or secondary, where a woman stops ovulating Anovulation can also be difficult to detect. Some women have seemingly normal menstrual periods even though they are not ovulating. Moreover, anovulation can also be caused by underlying diseases that seem completely unrelated to reproduction.

Symptom of Anovulation

The symptoms of anovulation include infertility and often amenorrhoea, but women can menstruate without ovulating can sometimes be difficult to recognize. After all, women rarely experience any overt signs of ovulation. This is called an anovulatory cycle and is most likely to happen at the extremes of reproductive life - for some months after menstruating for the first time and as menopause approaches. However, there are a few symptoms that may indicate that you are suffering from the condition. These symptoms include:

• abnormal or erratic basal body temperature (BBT)
• fewer PMS symptoms
• irregular periods
• amenorrhea

Diagnosis of Anovulation

A pelvic examination is performed at your local health clinic and involves manual palpation of your abdomen to check the size and shape of your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. An ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create a picture of the internal organs in your pelvic cavity. These exams will test for hormones that play a specific role in the ovulatory process, including:

• luteinizing hormone (LH)
• follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
• thyroid-stimulating hormone

Treament of Anovulation

up on exercising or eating a healthy balanced diet can go a long way to helping treat anovulation in some patients. Prolonged anovulation with amenorrhoea indicates a lack of oestrogen, and replacement of the hormone may be advised. Lifestyle factors such as nutrition, stress, and exercise, may be contributing to your hormone imbalance, and these factors must be assessed during proper treatment. If your anovulation is accompanied by amenorrhea, your health care provider may try to normalize your menstrual period by prescribing Depo Provera, a medication that can help to trigger menstruation.

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