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Ovulation Abnormalities

Ovulation is the process that occurs each month in a normal female cycle. One egg is released from an ovary and travels to the womb. Sometimes more than one egg is released. Female hormones are released during this process to prepare the woman's body for a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the cycle starts over with the shedding of the lining of the womb, also known as the woman's monthly period.

If the ovary does not produce an egg, a pregnancy cannot happen. This happens in about 20 percent of women who are not getting pregnant. There are several causes of this.

Women who have the following problems may also have trouble ovulating:

• women with a chronic disease, like diabetes

• heavy women

• women who are stressed, either physically or mentally and

• women over age 35

There are signs indicating a monthly cycle that does not produce an egg. Usually a period that comes with no warning, is out of cycle. This is often accompanied by heavy bleeding. This may happen every two weeks or once in three months. Before you get care for this problem, it's helpful to keep a log of your bleeding.

Blood tests can help determine what is happening. The womb lining may be tested to see if it has gotten the right signal from ovulation.

If a problem with ovulation is found, there are ways to treat it. If there is a disease, such as a thyroid problem, treating the disease will help ovulation. Physical stress, as in severe starvation caused by anorexia, can affect ovulation. Only by correcting that problem will the body be able to work normally. Other causes may need to be treated with drugs to make the ovary ovulate. This is more complex but usually successful.

For more information, contact your healthcare provider.

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