Ovulatory disorder
Ovulatory disorder is a term that describes a group of disorders in which ovulation fails to occur, or occurs on an infrequent or irregular basis. Ovulatory disorders are one of the leading causes of infertility.
There are two primary types of ovulatory disorders: anovulation and oligo-ovulation.
Indicators of ovulatory disorders
Anovulation
Anovulation, or no ovulation, is a disorder in which eggs do not develop properly, or are not released from the follicles of the ovaries. People who have this disorder may not menstruate for several months. Others may menstruate even though they are not ovulating. Although anovulation may result from hormonal imbalances, eating disorders, and other medical disorders, the cause is often unknown. Female athletes who exercise excessively may also stop ovulating.
Oligo-ovulation
Oligo-ovulation is a disorder in which ovulation doesn’t occur on a regular basis and your menstrual cycle may be longer than the normal cycle of 21 to 35 days.
Diagnostic testing for ovulatory disorders
Your medical history is useful in diagnosing ovulatory disorders. However, your physician may require other tests to confirm the diagnosis such as:
Treatment for ovulatory disorders
If you aren’t ovulating, your doctor may prescribe a medication to stimulate your ovulation. If you decide to take medication to ovulate, your doctor will want to monitor you carefully to see if and when you are ovulating. Monitoring usually involves ultrasound and blood tests.
