Ovulation dysfunction reduces the chances of an egg being fertilized
Most women have regular menstrual cycles, ovulating an egg and having a period every 28 days or so. But sometimes, women don’t have regular cycles or don’t have cycles at all. When this happens, they either release an egg from their ovaries infrequently or not at all. Ovulation dysfunction is the issue in about a quarter of all infertility cases.
Ovulating an egg is the most essential building block of conception because without the egg pregnancy is impossible. The most common signs of ovulation dysfunction in female infertility may be skipped or absent periods. Observing your periods and tracking your ovulation through over-the-counter ovulation kits may be a first step to finding a cause to your inability to get pregnant.
There are many causes for ovulation dysfunction
Many different issues can cause ovulation dysfunction and they all lead back to your body’s endocrine system and hormones. When you seek help from one of our Louisiana fertility specialists, they will thoroughly evaluate your menstrual history, hormone levels (including thyroid hormones and prolactin), and may use ultrasound to assess ovarian function.
If they uncover issues with your hormone cycle or hormone levels, our expert team will dig deeper to find out why. Ovulation dysfunction may be caused by:
- Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) – When a woman experiences POI, the ovaries stop functioning before a natural menopause. This is also referred to as early menopause or premature ovarian failure.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – This endocrine disorder results in the ovaries inability to release a healthy egg or release an egg regularly. PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder in women. Nearly half of all female factor infertility cases traces to PCOS.
- Thyroid issues – Because your thyroid is part of your body’s endocrine system, overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism) thyroid disorders can affect ovulation.
- Hyperprolactinemia – This condition happens when too much prolactin is present in the blood. In women, this results in a decline in the body’s production of progesterone after ovulation which, in turn, can lead to irregular ovulation and infrequent or absent menstruation.
- Low or high body mass index (BMI) – Female athletes or those who are involved in very heavy exercise typically have low body fat percentages. This causes the body to stop producing estrogen and leads to ovulation problems. Athletes may need to resolve these issues before receiving specific treatment for infertility. On the flip side, obesity can disrupt hormone levels, specifically too much estrogen, causing irregular periods and ovulation.
In-depth testing determines the treatment of ovulation dysfunction
Fortunately, ovulation dysfunction is one of the most easily treated conditions in our practice. An overwhelming majority of patients with this disorder eventually do successfully conceive. Your Fertility Answers doctor will work with you to thoroughly test and then develop a customized fertility treatment plan. Your treatment will vary based on your diagnosis. For example, PCOS often responds well to ovulation induction medications, while other hormonal issues correct with medication. Sometimes, making changes to your diet and activity levels and incorporating stress management techniques can also help with irregular periods.
Women who undergo treatment for ovulation dysfunction, such as balancing hormone levels or taking ovulation induction medication, may still not be able to conceive. In these cases, trying assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF, yield high pregnancy success rates.
If you’re facing irregular periods and looking for help welcoming a baby, our team is here for you. Contact us to schedule an appointment and find relief today.
