anovulation

pathology

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June 18, 2026

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Anovulation is a pathology where a woman fails to ovulate, meaning an egg is not released from the ovary. This is a common cause of female infertility, accounting for about 25 percent of cases. Anovulation and irregular ovulation (oligoovulation) are the most frequent ovulation disorders.12

This condition often occurs during early adolescence and in the years leading up to menopause, and is thought to stem from imperfect ovarian function. Estrogen is produced, causing the uterine lining to thicken, but ovulation does not occur. The uterine lining then breaks down and bleeds, resulting in irregular or absent menstrual cycles. Factors such as obesity, excessive exercise, or emotional stress can also be associated with dysfunctional uterine bleeding.3

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Stein-Leventhal syndrome
…infrequent or absent ovulation (anovulation). About 5 percent of women are affected by Stein-Leventhal syndrome, which is responsible for a substantial proportion of cases of female infertility. The syndrome was first described in 1935 when American gynecologists Irving F. Stein, Sr., and Michael L. Leventhal associated the presence of…
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…infrequent or absent ovulation (anovulation). About 5 percent of women are affected by Stein-Leventhal syndrome, which is responsible for a substantial proportion of cases of female infertility. The syndrome was first described in 1935 when American gynecologists Irving F. Stein, Sr., and Michael L. Leventhal associated the presence of…
Read More