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Why Am I Not Ovulating But Having Periods

Ovulation is a process in which an egg is released from one of the two female ovaries to fuse with a sperm making a woman pregnant. But in some cases, a woman’s ovaries fail to release an egg. However, that woman can have irregular periods or irregular heavy menstrual bleeding called “Abnormal Uterine Bleeding” (AUB). Around 30% of female infertility is caused by this condition.

You may also have various infertility questions, why am I not ovulating but having periods, how can I get pregnant without ovulation, and many more. Understanding the cause of this condition can help you find a solution to control the symptoms, or at the very least, it can help you put your fear in context with the actual physiological processes going on in your body.

How Do Periods Work?

To understand the reason for not ovulating but having periods, you need to first grasp the process of the menstrual cycle.

The first phase of the menstrual cycle is known as the follicular stage. There are tiny sacs called follicles in the ovaries. One follicle is chosen each month and develops to maturity. The same increase in estrogen (in the form of estradiol) that triggers the maturation of those eggs also triggers the uterine lining to develop. This lining is where a fertilized egg will implant and develop into the placenta as the egg grows.

The Corpus Luteum is a transient endocrine structure that develops in the follicle when the egg is ovulated. Progesterone, which is secreted by this, allows the lining to develop structure and become a useful organ that can sustain the developing egg as it develops into a fetus. The uterine lining loses its structure when the Corpus Luteum decomposes if the egg isn't fertilized, which results in your period as the egg departs your body.

Can I Have Periods Without Ovulating?

According to medical science, you can only have menstruation if your egg isn’t fertilized and the uterus then expels its lining. So, it's wrong to say that you can have periods without ovulating.

If you don't ovulate because of a women’s health problem like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pharmaceutical side effects, stress, or dietary concerns, the follicle phase of the menstrual cycle occurs as usual. The estrogen level is also increased even if the hormonal message to release the egg is not received or sent. The uterus lining is developed due to the elevation of estrogen levels.

The Welzo PCOS Blood Test can help you to dtemine whther your symptoms are caused by a hormonal inbalance.

It will continue to grow until your estrogen level decreases again in the absence of the progesterone levels rise which leads it to build structure and the fall that causes it to disintegrate. In that situation, the extra lining of the uterus is shed in the form of periods.

These irregular periods (bleeding) are called “breakthrough bleeding” and Ovulatory dysfunction leads to this abnormal uterine bleeding, which in turn causes heavy menstrual bleeding.

Why Do Females Go Through An Anovulatory Cycle?

Anovulation is a process when a woman’s ovaries fail to produce and release an egg. An egg is essential for a woman to get pregnant and without an anovulatory cycle, the chances of female infertility are increased. There are several reasons for anovulatory cycles because ovulation is regulated by many hormones and hormone imbalance can cause anovulatory cycles.

A women’s health is so important that’s why understanding the reason behind anovulation is also essential to avoid the chances of having a period without ovulation.

A menstrual cycle without ovulation occurs in two age groups:

· Girls who have started menstruating: A girl is more likely to undergo anovulatory cycles the year after her menarche, which is the start of her first menstruation.

· Women who are near to her menopause: A Woman who is 40-50 years old can have anovulatory cycles due to hormonal changes caused by the age factor.

Due to the sudden hormone imbalance, both ages are at risk of having an anovulatory cycle. But other factors may include:

· Obesity

· Eating insufficient calories

· Extreme stress level

· Low body weight

· High intense exercise

· Low body mass index (BMI)

· Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR)

· Pituitary gland dysfunction can also cause irregular menstrual cycles when your pituitary gland doesn't release enough luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

· Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea

· Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a medical disease, can cause irregular ovulation.

Although each woman's menstrual cycle is different in duration, most women get a menstrual cycle every 28 days on average. Although they might be shorter or longer, typical periods last between 21 and 40 days.

How to Identify If You’re Having Anovulation:

Now, that you’ve understood why you are not ovulating but having periods. It's also vital to determine a way to diagnose anovulation.

Unreliable menstrual cycles and heavy menstrual bleeding are common indicators of an anovulatory cycle. However, if you're trying to get pregnant, your doctor will want to look into it and figure out what's causing your anovulatory cycle because that could point to another disease.

What Examinations will be used to identify Anovulation?

If you’re having regular periods but still having problems in conceiving, then your doctor may suggest the following tests to check the hormone imbalance:

· Blood prolactin levels

· Blood progesterone levels

· Blood thyroid levels

· Ultrasound to examine your uterus and ovaries up close

Your doctor may also check the uterus lining and blood to diagnose the presence of any antibodies. Reproductive medicine also helps to diagnose.

To assess whether you are ovulating proceed to find the Welzo Instant Ovulation Test.

Can I get Pregnant without Ovulating?

You can not get pregnant without ovulation. But that doesn’t mean you can never have a baby.

Anovulation can be treated by lifestyle changes and medications like clomiphene citrate, fertility drugs, and reproductive medicine which implies that you'll have a chance to conceive. But a lot more things play a role in a successful conception and pregnancy.

Contact your healthcare practitioner if you treated anovulation but are still facing female infertility then it’s because of chronic anovulation. A fertility specialist might advise fertility drugs or intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) is also used in fertility treatments.

How Much Time Does Anovulation Last?

Irregular ovulation may be transient or persistent, depending on the cause. Though not always, it can be treated.

Note: Irregular body temperature triggers ovulation.

Our Takeaway

Remember the fact that you aren’t alone many women suffer from this condition. Improved diet, exercise, and stress reduction can all be quite effective and help in disease control. For at least a few months, try adhering to these modifications, and then start observing whether your monthly cycle is getting more regular.

If not then have a chat with your doctor they can answer all your infertility queries and can suggest you many ways to treat anovulation by knowing the exact reason behind it.

To find out more about menstration and other health concerns visit the Welzo Women's Health Hub now!