Female Causes

Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common causes of irregular ovulation and infertility. Polycystic ovaries are really a symptom, not a cause. One of the signs seen in women who have this syndrome is many small follicles on their ovaries when they are evaluated by ultrasound. The women may assume the problem is the presence of these small cysts, but in fact the real problem is the imbalance of cyclic hormones in the body and the sensitivity of the woman’s brain to these hormones. This can cause irregular menses, infertility and the possibility of extra hair growth.

Women with this disorder are sometimes overweight. The hormones involved in reproduction can be dissolved in fat. Some overweight women have extra stores of these hormones in their extra fat tissue.

These hormone levels can be artificially high, which prevents the brain from instructing the ovary to develop an egg. This prevents or delays cyclic ovulation and prevents the opportunity for conception.

If you do not have regular 28 day cycles, you may have PCOS.  Having PCOS may increase your risks for breast cancer, diabetes, uterine cancer, and  ovarian cancer.