Female Causes

Ovulation is the release of the matured egg into the fallopian tube. Irregular or absent menstrual cycles may be a sign that the ovaries are not producing or are irregularly developing and releasing eggs. This is also called oligomenorrhea. There are many causes of irregular or absent ovulation. The cells in the brain that control reproduction are adjacent to cells that control other hormones in the body. If there is an abnormality in a hormone such as the one for the thyroid gland, (which regulates metabolism) or with the hormone prolactin (which regulates breast milk production), it can impact the cells that control ovulation. Correction of these hormone abnormalities often corrects irregular menstrual cycles and promotes regular ovulation.