The female reproductive system is unique. Thanks to her, a woman has the ability to bear children almost throughout her life. In order for a child to be born, the female body goes through three phases: fertilization, pregnancy and birth. The whole process can be easy, but sometimes any of the phases fails. Most often, women are faced with the impossibility of conceiving a baby - the first phase. This is due to both external and internal physiological reasons. The main problem that needs to be addressed at this stage is the lack of ovulation. There are many reasons why pregnancy does not occur during and after ovulation. You can get rid of them by the joint efforts of the patient and the doctor.
The concept of ovulation and the monthly cycle
Ovulation is a process in the female body when an egg ready for fertilization leaves the ovarian follicle and goes to the uterus. In the absence of fertilization, the egg leaves the uterus along with the obsolete layer of the endometrium -this is how menstruation begins.
The menstrual cycle is defined as the period of time from the beginning of menstruation (the first day of the cycle) to the last day when the next menstruation is due. The average period of the menstrual cycle lasts 21-31 days. A cycle that lasts 28 days is considered ideal. In a he althy female body, the menstrual cycle does not go astray, and menstruation comes once during the cycle.
If counted by the calendar method, then ovulation occurs in the middle of the cycle. Often women are interested in how much ovulation occurs or why it came later. With a duration of 28 days, it is necessary to count 14 days from the start of menstruation. This will be the beginning of the ovulation period, which lasts up to 3 days. If during this period the meeting of the egg with the sperm occurs, then the conception of the fetus will occur.
The average lifespan of an egg ready for fertilization is a day. With unsuccessful fertilization, she dies and rushes out along with menstrual blood. The ovulation process takes place every month. Normally, several skips of the onset of the ovulation period per year are allowed.
How to determine the lack of ovulation?
The reproductive function of the female body requires careful observation. When monitoring changes in your he alth, you can note the signs that appear with the onset of the ovulation period. In their absence, it can be assumed that ovulation has not occurred. Symptoms of pathology, andnamely the absence of ovulation, quite different:
- failure of the menstrual cycle, irregular appearance of menstruation, their complete absence;
- change in the nature of discharge during menstruation (smearing, abundant);
- absence or intensification of symptoms of the onset of the menstrual cycle (headaches, pulling pain in the lower abdomen, breast hypersensitivity, hormonal surge, increased taste buds and sense of smell);
- when monitoring ovulation by measuring basal temperature, there is a long-term absence of change (temperature does not rise);
- no vaginal discharge;
- decreased libido or complete lack of sexual desire during the menstrual cycle.
The presence of one or a combination of signs may mean anovulation. But without accurate and professional research, it is impossible to say for sure whether a woman has ovulated or not. Therefore, to accurately determine the period of ovulation or its absence, it is necessary to conduct comprehensive studies of the body.
Why is there no ovulation?
The main reasons why ovulation does not occur during the menstrual cycle may be due to pathologies or physiology of a woman. An examination by a specialist will give the true cause.
Physiological reasons why ovulation does not occur suggest:
- pregnancy;
- recovery period after childbirth;
- breastfeeding a newborn;
- use of oralhormonal contraceptives;
- beginning of puberty;
- climax, age-related changes.
As is already clear from this list, physiological causes are logical and proceed without any problems with the woman's he alth. Anovulation can occur in the body of a he althy woman up to 3 times a year, this is considered the norm.
Pathological reasons why ovulation does not occur if menstruation is regular:
- Sudden weight change. Sudden exhaustion or vice versa, obesity of a woman's body can have a direct impact on the functioning of the reproductive system. Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that produces female hormones. With a sharp weight gain, fat accumulates in the body, due to this, the amount of hormones increases. Violation of the hormonal background leads to the absence of ovulation. Exhaustion of the female body also affects the hormonal background of a woman. But in this case, there is a deficiency of estrogen (female hormone), which leads to the disappearance of menstruation, and anovulation.
- Prolonged stressful situations, frequent overwork, psychological problems, lack of proper rest and a favorable environment are also one of the reasons why ovulation does not occur if menstruation is regular.
- Violation of the endocrine system of a woman. Thyroid diseases affect the functioning of the entire female body, including the functioning of the ovaries. The production of a large number of male hormones in the female body leads to the absence of ovulation.
- Inflammatory processes, infectiousgynecological diseases lead to a deterioration in women's he alth, ovarian dysfunction, anovulation.
If you are concerned about why pregnancy does not occur during ovulation, then the woman needs to eliminate the above reasons. Well, if after that the conception did not occur, it is recommended to be examined by a specialist.
Careful research, timely examinations and a visit to the gynecologist help to detect anovulation at an early stage. And proper treatment and restoration of the body leads to the elimination of the causes of the disease.
Diagnosis of anovulation problems
Analysis of data on the duration, frequency and nature of the menstrual cycle in a woman is the initial stage in identifying the causes of ovulatory dysfunction. Lack of ovulation may be the result of an irregular menstrual cycle. But these examinations are also needed in order to know why pregnancy does not occur during ovulation. Diagnosis of the problem includes several stages, which will be described below.
Examination at the gynecologist
Gynecological examination is necessary when diagnosing a problem. With its help, the doctor can determine any abnormalities in the anatomy of the ovaries, which may cause a violation of their functions and, as a result, lead to anovulation.
Basal temperature measurement
The method used to detect ovulation is to measure basal temperature during the menstrual cycle. The measurement takes place every morning at the same time, a table or graph is compiledwith results. The temperature can be measured both in the rectum and in the vagina. The rectal method of measurement is more accurate. It is better to conduct research over several cycles.
When ovulation occurs, body temperature is elevated. In the absence of ovulation, the basal temperature does not change during the cycle, there is no division into phases.
Using ovulation test strips
Pharmacy tests for determining ovulation are outwardly similar to pregnancy tests. But it is necessary to conduct a study on ovulation within a week. With a regular cycle, the start of the study is determined 17 days before the onset of menstruation. In case of irregular cycle, the countdown is based on the duration of the shortest cycle that was within the last six months.
The test works as follows: the strip is placed in a container with collected urine for 10 seconds, after which it is removed and the results that have arisen within 10 minutes are evaluated. An ovulation test reacts to a hormone that is released into a woman's body 1-2 days before ovulation begins.
Blood test for hormones
This step is important for determining the exact amount of hormones that are normally found in a woman's body. Abnormalities indicate a disease that leads to anovulation.
There is a list of hormones for which you will need to donate blood:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone. It is responsible for the growth of a he althy egg and for the formation of estrogen.
- Luteinizing hormone. Responsible for the production of progesterone and for the completion of egg maturation. An analysis for this and the previous hormone should be taken on the 3-7th day of the menstruation cycle.
- Prolactin is an important hormone that is responsible for the occurrence of anovulation, since the deviation from the norm negatively affects the functioning of the ovaries. Tests are taken twice per cycle.
- The hormone estradiol. It helps the egg to develop fully, prepares the female body for a future pregnancy. Tests are given during the cycle.
- The hormone progesterone. Affects the onset and further development of pregnancy.
The gynecologist may also prescribe tests for other hormones, depending on the preliminary diagnosis and possible diseases.
Ultrasound to determine ovulation
Today, ultrasound diagnostics of the reproductive organs of the female body is one of the most effective. Thanks to modern technology and the development of medicine, a doctor can determine the pathology of the genital organs, the internal structure, trace the process of ovulation in the female body and answer the question of why ovulation came earlier or later.
Treating causes of anovulation
After the diagnosis by a gynecologist and the reasons for the lack of ovulation are identified, treatment is prescribed. It depends on the identified pathologies and disorders.
If the absence of ovulation is due to sudden changes in the woman's weight, then the doctor prescribes recommendations for changing nutrition to gain or lose weight, as well aslifestyle advice.
Thyroid disorders are treated with hormonal drugs (thyroid hormones). They support and normalize the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
In addition, hormonal drugs are also used in violation of the amount of hormones that are inherent in the male body.
Polycystic ovaries are also treated with hormonal therapy. In the case when the effectiveness of such therapy is not available, surgical intervention is possible. To eliminate the causes of anovulation, a procedure called laparoscopy is performed. It involves stimulating ovulation by incising the ovaries or removing some part of the ovary. The effectiveness of laparoscopy is high and is valid for the first year after the procedure. The first ovulation after laparoscopy can occur as early as two weeks.
Another method of treating anovulation is to prescribe hormonal contraceptives. Oral contraception blocks the work of a woman's ovaries at the time of admission (for effective treatment, the period can last several months). After stopping the birth control pills, the ovaries start working again, the cycle is restored.
Artificial stimulation of ovulation
Artificial stimulation of ovulation occurs by taking certain medications prescribed by a gynecologist. The stimulation process is as follows:
- Depending on the choice of drug, a woman is prescribed a stimulant medication on a certain day of hermenstrual cycle.
- While taking a course of pills, a woman undergoes an ultrasound of the ovaries. Using ultrasound, the gynecologist observes the creation of the egg.
- When she reaches the required level of maturity, the gynecologist determines, prescribes and injects an injection of hCG into the woman's body. HCG is a chronic human gonadotropin, the level of which contributes to the normal passage of ovulation and conception.
If all the procedures are performed correctly and in a timely manner, the woman will ovulate within the next two days. You can also determine its presence with the help of ultrasound. If ovulation has occurred, it must be supported with hormonal drugs that are responsible for the production of the hormone progesterone.
Stimulating procedures help only in case of a complete diagnosis of the female reproductive system. With artificial stimulation, certain hormonal drugs are used:
- "Klostilbegit" - pills, the dose of which is determined by the doctor individually for each woman. The medication starts on the fifth day of the menstrual cycle and lasts 5 days. Drug treatment takes place within two cycles, after which a break is taken. This medicine depletes women's ovaries and should not be taken more than five times in a lifetime.
- "Letrozole" - a drug that regulates the amount of hormones in the female body, improves the endometrial layer in the uterus, increasing the possibility of adhesion of the egg to it. Application is determined by the doctor. He chooses a schemedepending on the disease and the individual characteristics of the woman.
- "Puregon" - a hormonal drug used from the second day of the menstrual cycle for two weeks. The drug is available as an injection, the dosage of which is determined by the attending gynecologist after careful monitoring of the body's response to the drug.
It is important to remember that you can not use folk remedies to stimulate ovulation in conjunction with hormonal drugs. After the treatment, women are interested in when pregnancy occurs after ovulation. The most frequent cases of pregnancy occur directly on the first day of ovulation.
