Ovulation disorders are a group of conditions that affect a woman’s endocrine system, which controls her hormones and ovulation patterns. These disorders can cause a woman to ovulate infrequently or not at all, which accounts for most cases of infertility.
Common signs of an ovulation disorder include:
- Irregular or missed periods
- Mood changes, such as unexplained anxiety and depression
- Sudden weight changes
Ovulation disorders can be caused by:
- Problems with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland regulating reproductive hormones
- Problems in the ovary
- Hypothalamic dysfunction, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Premature ovarian failure
- Too much prolactin
The most common cause of ovulation disorders is PCOS. Treatments for infertility associated with PCOS have changed in the last decade due to the introduction of new medications. Insulin-sensitizing drugs, such as metformin, have become an integral part of treatment.