Overview

It can be hard to find out the cause of ovulation, Opens dialog problems. Possible causes may include:

• Hormone imbalances. Most women with ovulation problems have hormone imbalances. An example of a condition that causes a hormone imbalance is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Opens dialog. Other ovulation problems can start in the ovaries, Opens dialog or in the pituitary gland, Opens dialog and hypothalamus, Opens dialog. (They produce hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, Opens dialog.) These hormones are vital to normal ovulation.
• Structural problems. Problems in the structure of the ovaries (such as ovarian cysts, Opens dialog) or other reproductive organs can cause changes in a woman's ovulation schedule.
• General medical problems. Problems that affect the metabolism, Opens dialog (such as thyroid, Opens dialog problems) can affect a woman's ovulation schedule. So can serious illness, emotional stress, overweight and low weight, and getting too much exercise.
• Cancer treatment. Exposure to certain kinds of chemotherapy or radiation can damage the egg supply in the ovaries.