Anovulatory cycle – this is a menstrual cycle in which the egg does not come out of the ovary, and the corpus luteum is not formed. As the maturing dominant follicle suddenly stops developing, the level of female sex hormones drops and menstrual-like bleeding begins.
Such phenomena can periodically alternate with ovulatory cycles, but it is better to keep the situation under control.
Temporary disruptions can be triggered by excessive physical exertion, strict diets, and stress. In such cases, the egg can not mature due to the increased level of stress hormone prolactin. It is necessary to reduce the load, adjust nutrition and stop nervous, as everything normalizes.
Another reason for anovulatory cycles is overweight. If too much adipose tissue accumulates, it begins to affect the ratio of hormones in the body.
Sharp weight loss and a weight of less than 47 kg can also be a cause of disturbed egg maturation in the ovaries. Ovulation is restored as soon as weight returns to normal. However, for the lack of ovulation, there are more serious reasons.
First of all, we are talking about hormonal disruptions (thyroid gland disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperandrogenism) and sexually transmitted infections (ureaplasmosis, candidiasis, mycoplasmosis).
First you need to figure out whether there is cause for concern. If the menstrual cycle lasts from 24 to 30 days and menstruation always comes on time, most likely, the woman has no problems with ovulation.
If the cycle fails (it shortens or, on the contrary, lengthens dramatically), and menstruation becomes more scarce, one may suspect that the ovaries have declared a “strike”.
However, it is often impossible to recognize the absence of ovulation without special studies: outwardly this feature may not manifest itself and does not cause inconvenience to the woman. Dispel doubts will help the gynecologist. A good specialist will first ask the woman in detail about her lifestyle in order to exclude purely physiological causes (stress, excessive sports enthusiasm, etc.).
To clarify the same diagnosis will need to pass a blood test for hormones. On days 2–5 of the cycle, the content of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH for short), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, prolactin, as well as the level of thyroid hormones, adrenal glands and a number of male sex hormones will be checked.
Then, folliculometry is performed on the 10–14th day of the cycle — an ultrasound diagnosis that allows you to see whether the dominant follicle matures or not and whether a yellow body forms in its place. In the second phase of the cycle from the 18th to the 23rd day, a blood test is assigned to the level of progesterone – a hormone responsible for thickening the endometrium (uterine lining).
The less progesterone, the worse the uterus is ready for pregnancy.
If the anovulatory cycle is single, treatment is not required. But if it is repeated, it is necessary to consult a doctor, even if a woman does not plan a pregnancy: the lack of ovulation is fraught with the development of endometrial hyperplasia. Due to the wrong hormonal commands, it grows excessively, which can lead to its pretumor state.
In order to debug a cycle, the exact diagnosis first appears, and then appropriate treatment is prescribed. Women planning pregnancy are prescribed hormonal drugs to stimulate ovulation and support the second phase of the cycle.
