When a woman ovulates each month, a mature egg is released from her ovary then moves down the fallopian tube. If sperm is present, the egg is then fertilized by the sperm, an embryo is created, and a baby is made. On average, a woman with regular cycles tends to ovulate sometime between day 11 and day 21 of her cycle. Anovulation occurs when a woman does not ovulate, resulting in her being unable to get pregnant. If a woman is ovulating but it is irregular and not consistent, it may be difficult for her to conceive. Medically speaking, oligoovulation is the term used for irregular ovulation. NCCRM fertility center is here to share with you the signs to look for if you are unsure if you suffer from irregular ovulation, as well as a few causes for why this might be happening.
Signs Of Irregular Ovulation:
- Irregular Cycles – If your periods are unpredictable, you may have an ovulation problem. It is normal if your menstrual cycle varies by a couple days each month, but it is not normal if the variations span several days.
- Very Short or Long Cycles – A normal cycle can be as short as 21 days or as long as 35 days. However, if your cycles are commonly shorter or longer than this, you may have an ovulation problem.
- Missing Periods For Months Or Longer – If you are 35 years old or younger and don’t get your period at all, or go many months between cycles, this is a strong sign that you’re not ovulating.
- No Rise In Basal Body Temperature – Your basal body temperature (BBT) is your temperature when you’re at rest. After regular ovulation, progesterone levels rise in your body causing your temperature to rise slightly. If you’ve been charting your cycles and you don’t get this increase in temperature, it is possible you’re not ovulating.
- Inconsistent Ovulation Test Results – Ovulation test kits detect the hormone LH, which surges just before ovulation occurs. If you never get a positive result, you may not be ovulating.
Possible Causes Of Irregular Ovulation:
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Extreme exercise
- Extremely high stress levels
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Low body weight
- Obesity
- Perimenopause or low ovarian reserves
- Premature ovarian failure
- Thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism)
NCCRM Fertility Center
If you have noticed any of these signs or have reason to believe that you ovulate irregularly, do not hesitate to ask NCCRM fertility center for help. At NCCRM fertility center, we understand that infertility can be a personal crisis with many facets, which is why we try to minimize that stress by being sensitive to each individual situation with individualized treatment plans and total care within one center. We invite you to put your confidence in our team at NCCRM – contact us today to learn more!
