anovulation: All your worries discussed

Aug 24

After period recovery, a frequent fear is anovulation which means that you’re still having a period without ovulation. From my own personal experience, I was constantly in fear of this happening because I had a period, but I was still mourning my old body; I tried to make changes again before I was ready. However, the body is resilient! I had a lot of fear over something that never happened.

Let me shed some light on the subject:

Anovulation can happen from many factors that interfere with the hormonal processes necessary for releasing an egg from the ovary.

Here are some common causes:

Hormonal imbalances like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Hyperprolactinemia, and Thyroid Disorders.
Excessive Stress
Extreme Weight Changes
Intensive Exercise
Aging and Menopause
Medications
Chronic Illnesses
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) Also known as premature ovarian failure, which happens when the ovaries stop functioning normally before the age of 40.
Hyperandrogenism
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors like exposure to environmental toxins, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet can contribute to hormonal imbalances and anovulation.

Wait… doesn’t that sound familiar????? That sounds like the reasons you might not have had a period, doesn’t it???

Yes, anovulation can lead to infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, and other health issues. However, I find most girls are afraid of anovulation because they have gotten their periods BACK but are again trying to manipulate their weight again. We expect the worst…

So how do you know if this is you?

Track your cycles and BBT over multiple cycles.

Basal body temperature (BBT) charting is a method used to track ovulation by measuring the body's resting temperature each morning. In a typical ovulatory cycle, there is a noticeable shift in BBT that occurs after ovulation due to the increase in progesterone, which raises body temperature.

What an Ovulatory BBT Chart Looks Like:

Follicular Phase (Pre-Ovulation): The BBT is relatively low and stable, usually ranging between 97.0°F and 97.7°F (36.1°C to 36.5°C).
Ovulation: After ovulation, there is a noticeable increase in BBT, typically by about 0.5°F (0.3°C) or more, due to the rise in progesterone.
Luteal Phase (Post-Ovulation): The higher temperature is maintained until the end of the cycle. If pregnancy does not occur, the temperature drops just before menstruation.

What an Anovulatory BBT Chart Looks Like:

Flat or erratic temperatures throughout the cycle
No clear biphasic pattern (no distinct shift from lower to higher temperatures)
Temperatures may stay within the lower range throughout the cycle

If a BBT chart shows a consistent lack of temperature rise across multiple cycles, it may indicate anovulation. But again, we need time to determine this. Each cycle needs to be looked at bleed to bleed.

Yes, you can still have a period after anovulation, but it may not be a true menstrual period. Instead, it might be a type of bleeding known as anovulatory bleeding. You can experience bleeding after an anovulatory cycle, but this bleeding is not the result of a true menstrual period associated with ovulation. It's often irregular and can vary in flow and duration. If anovulatory cycles are frequent, it might be worth discussing with a healthcare provider, as it can affect fertility and overall reproductive health.

Difference Between a Menstrual Period and Anovulatory Bleeding:

Menstrual Period: A true menstrual period occurs after ovulation when the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is shed due to a drop in progesterone levels if pregnancy does not occur. This bleeding is typically regular and associated with an ovulatory cycle.
Anovulatory Bleeding: When ovulation doesn't occur, the body still produces estrogen, which causes the endometrium to thicken. However, without ovulation, the body doesn't produce enough progesterone to stabilize this lining. Eventually, the endometrium may become too thick and unstable, leading to irregular shedding and bleeding. This bleeding can be light or heavy, irregular in timing, and different from a typical menstrual period.

Characteristics of Anovulatory Bleeding:

Irregular Timing: The bleeding may occur at unpredictable times, not following the regular 21-35 day cycle of a typical menstrual period.
Variable Flow: The bleeding might be lighter or heavier than a typical period and can last longer or shorter.
No Luteal Phase Symptoms: Since there is no ovulation, there are usually no symptoms of a luteal phase, such as premenstrual symptoms (PMS), breast tenderness, or a noticeable temperature shift on a BBT chart.

The overarching advice: handling anovulation is period optimization. Track your cycles and your symptoms looking at period to period but not stressing the day to do. Do your best to fuel your body, incorporate appropriate rest and movement, and pay attention to your symptoms. Do not panic about anovulation. Like period recovery, it is fixable.

How do I fix it if it's me?

Yes, like period recovery, there are a bunch of different avenues you can take to try and shortcut by doing surgeries and trying medications… but at the end of the day….just like period recovery…..

#1 Recommendation……..Lifestyle Modifications:

Weight Management:

For Overweight or Obese Women: Losing even a small amount of weight (5-10% of body weight) can help regulate menstrual cycles and restore ovulation, especially in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
For Underweight Women: Gaining weight to reach a healthy body mass index (BMI) can help resume normal ovulation.

Diet and Exercise: A balanced diet and regular exercise can help manage conditions like PCOS and insulin resistance, both of which can contribute to anovulation.
Stress Reduction: Managing stress through techniques like yoga, meditation, or counseling can help regulate the hormonal axis that controls ovulation.

Good luck out there! Feel free to write in with questions!