Ovulation dysfunction reduces the chances of an egg being fertilized
Common signs of ovulation problems with female infertility may be skipped or absent periods. Ovulation problems may include:
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.
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. For women trying to conceive a child, PCOS is a serious, common cause of infertility – nearly half of all female factor infertility cases can be traced to PCOS. New medical insight into the disease has led to treatment options, including insulin-reducing medication, dietary changes (low glycemic diet) and surgery (ovarian drilling). These have proven successful and allow many women to overcome PCOS and conceive a child naturally, while reducing the risk of miscarriage. Women who undergo treatment for PCOS but are still unable to conceive naturally often turn to assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF, and experience high pregnancy success rates.
Hyperprolactinemia – A condition in which 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 menstruation, cause you to stop menstruating altogether, or cause your breasts to start producing milk, a condition called galactorrhea. Hyperprolactinemia is relatively common. In women of reproductive age who stop menstruating and have low FSH levels, up to a third of women have hyperprolactinemia.
Low body mass index (BMI) – Female athletes or those who are involved in very heavy exercise typically have low body fat percentages which can often lead to ovulation problems. Athletes may need to resolve these issues before receiving specific treatment for infertility.