Ovulation disorders are a common cause of infertility in women. They are caused by problems with the regulation of reproductive hormones. These disorders cause disturbances in the production of an egg during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Ovulation disorders can be caused by:
- Problems with the part of the brain and the glands that control ovulation
- Problems with the ovaries themselves
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Hypothalamic dysfunction
- Premature ovarian failure
- Excess prolactin
- Thyroid
- Diabetes
Ovulation disorders can cause women to ovulate infrequently or not at all. This is known as anovulation. Having irregular periods, no periods, or abnormal bleeding often indicates that you aren’t ovulating.
Infertility is a condition where you can’t get pregnant after one year of trying to conceive. Other causes of infertility include endometriosis, low sperm count, or low testosterone. The risk of infertility increases as you age. Many treatment options are available for people with infertility.