What is an ovulation problem?
The ovulation problem is a condition in which follicles cannot release ripened eggs during the menstrual cycle or grow inappropriately. In other words, any disruption that effects the normal functioning of the ovulation process is called an "ovulation problem." It is the most common cause of infertility in women.
Ovulation problems are based on two scenarios:
- Anovulation means the complete absence of ovulation. It occurs in menopausal women.
- Oligoovulation is an ovulation irregularity.In it, women are unable to identify their period of fertility.
Symptoms of an Ovulation Problem
The following symptoms indicate the presence of ovulation problems:
- Occurrence of a painful, irregular, or no period
- existence of pelvic pain and cramp
- Pain during movement of the bowel
- Suffering from lower back pain
- regular presence of acne
- Painful intercourse or loss of sexual drive
- Lack of concentration
- Hair loss or persistent hair growth on the body
- remarkable weight gain
Causes of the Ovulation Problem
There are several reasons for disruption of the ovulation process. For ovulation to happen, several glands and hormones have to work correctly. Any issue in their functioning can lead to ovulation disorder.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome: This condition causes hormonal imbalance due to an increase in androgen production.It has an effect on the ovulation process.It is also related to fatness, insulin resistance, abnormal hair growth on the body, and acne.
- Hypothalamic dysfunction: The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that signals the pituitary gland to release hormones (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)) that influence the ovaries to mature eggs. Thus, ovulation starts. Disruption in the release of hormones from glands due to stress, weight loss or gain, or a remarkable increase or decrease in body weight leads to an ovulation problem.
- Primary ovarian insufficiency is the premature loss of eggs from the ovary due to genetics or cancer therapy. It is also called premature ovarian failure.
- Excess of prolactin: The excess formulation of prolactin will reduce oestrogen formulation, which will cause infertility.
- Other Causes: There are many other factors that cause ovulation disorder, most of which are related to lifestyle, like eating disorders, substance abuse, thyroid problems, stress, and age.
- Tube Infertility (Damage to the Fallopian Tube)
Any damage or blockage in the fallopian tube prevents sperm from getting to the egg or blocks the fertilised egg's movement to the uterus. It could have been caused by
- An infection in the uterus or fallopian tube is called pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Past surgery in the abdomen or pelvis region
- Endometriosis: Endometrial tissue breaks down and is flushed out by menstrual flow. This occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. This growth is removed through surgery, which can result in damage to the fallopian tube.
- Problems in the uterus: These problems are caused by uterine polyps or fibroids. Uterine polyps are small, non-cancerous growths in the endometrium, and uterine fibroids are masses of tissue attached to the wall of the uterus. Another possibility is defection since birth, such as an unusual shape of the uterus.
- Problem in the cervix: The issue in the cervix could be cervical stenosis, which is the narrowing of the cervix and the inability of the cervix to produce quality mucus to allow sperm to travel to the uterus.
Problem with egg quantity and quality: Since birth, women have a set number of eggs that cannot be increased in the future. They may run out before menopause. A chromosomal issue may lead to a compromise in the quality of eggs.
When should I visit a doctor?
If the patient experiences any of the symptoms mentioned above, they should immediately visit the doctor.
Diagnosis of the Ovulation Problem
The doctor starts the diagnosis with a physical exam, asks the patient about her medical history, and can ask for tests to determine the reason behind the ovulation problem. Following are the tests that he may prescribe and conduct:
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Blood Test
- Progesterone (P4) Blood Test
- Ultrasound
Treatment of Ovulation Problems
Treatment depends on the cause of the ovulation problem, its severity, the patient's age, and many other factors. The treatment options are as follows:
- Medication: prescribing drugs for ovulation problems like Clomiphene citrate, gonadotropins, letrozole, etc.
- Surgery: laparoscopic ovarian drilling and ovarian wedge section
vulation problems are conditions in which follicles cannot release ripened eggs during the menstrual cycle or grow inappropriately.
It is caused by fallopian tube damage or obstruction.
It is any disruption in the release of hormones from glands that influence ovaries to fertilise eggs, i.e., to start ovulation.
It is a hormonal imbalance caused by an increase in androgen production.
It measures the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the blood to determine the number of eggs the patient has in reserve.
