Infertility due to ovulation problems
Anovulation - "Egg release" disorders
Background
Some women do not properly develop and release a mature egg every month as
they should normally. We call this condition anovulation.
Some women never develop and release an egg without medication - we say that
these women are anovulatory. These women will have no menstrual periods for
several months or years at a time. The medical term for this is amenorrhea.
Often, when they do have a period it is quite heavy. In some cases, the
woman may even require medical attention because of the degree of blood loss.
Some women ovulate once or twice a year and need medication to stimulate egg
development to occur in every menstrual cycle to increase the chance for
pregnancy.
Diagnostic testing for ovulation disorders
Usually the doctor can tell from discussing the details regarding previous
menstrual cycles whether there is likely to be an ovulation disorder.
In addition, blood testing at various times of the menstrual cycle and
sometimes an ultrasound study of the ovaries can clarify whether ovulation is
occurring.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a very common cause of anovulation and
infertility. When it is suspected, additional testing may be indicated.
