What causes irregular ovulation?
Although ovarian failure is the most common cause of irregular ovulation, problems can also be caused by: • Abnormally elevated prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia) High prolactin levels in non-pregnant women lead to irregular ovulation and are often caused by a small tumor on the pituitary. This can be treated with medications and/or surgery. • Thyroid dysfunction Abnormally high (hyperthyroidism) or low (hypothyroidism) thyroid levels can cause irregular ovulation. Correction of the thyroid dysfunction usually fixes this problem. • Environmental factors Excessive exercise and stress can also lead to irregular ovulation. • Adrenal disorders Androgens are male hormones, such as testosterone, produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands, and abnormally high levels lead to oligoovulation. Increased androgens are associated with elevated levels of prolactin, and/or tumors on the ovary, pituitary, or adrenal gland.
