All About Anovulatory Cycles
When you ovulate, an egg is released from your ovaries at the end of your follicular phase. After that egg is released, you either become pregnant, or go on to have your period. An anovulatory cycle is a menstrual cycle where you do not release an egg, aka you do not ovulate. The occasional (~1-2 per year) anovulatory cycle can absolutely be normal as there are a few situations or stages in life where anovulatory cycles are more common, but ideally the majority of your cycles are ovulatory. If you are having regular anovulatory cycles, this is a big red flag and may signal a need for further testing and evaluation.
If you are still on the combination birth control pill, all of your cycles are anovulatory because the pill suppresses ovulation!
How can I tell if I’ve had an anovulatory cycle?
Most menstruating people will not know if/when they have had anovulatory cycles. Unless you are charting your cycle, or using a basal body thermometer with an app specifically for cycle charting, you cannot know for sure if you have ovulated. If you were charting, you would know that you had not ovulated because there would be no rise in basal body temperature (please read Taking Charge of Your Fertility for in-depth guidance on this method).
There are a few signs/symptoms beyond charting that could indicate an anovulatory cycle, or not ovulating “normally”, but they are not definite signs. Healthy cycles typically last about 21-35 days, so if your cycle varies greatly in length, or regularly falls outside of these ranges, that could potentially indicate anovulation. Period blood flow is also typically fairly consistent in terms of heaviness, color, and consistency. If you are having inconsistent bleeds (ex. some very short, some 7 days or longer), blood of noticeably different colors each month, blood with clots one month and without the next, etc. you may be experiencing anovulatory cycles.
You can still bleed if you didn’t ovulate
The main reason that it’s so hard to know for sure if you’re having anovulatory cycles without tracking or charting, is because you often still bleed after these cycles, even though it’s not a true period. Generally this happens because your endometrial lining has continued to build up slowly over a longer period of time, and it eventually cannot sustain itself without progesterone (which we produce after ovulating), so you have what is called an “estrogen breakthrough bleed.” It can look a lot like a normal period (and can also be lighter or heavier), so unless you were charting or otherwise tracking your temperature, you may not know or notice if you have an anovulatory cycle.
What causes anovulatory cycles?
Anovulatory cycles are more common, and even to be expected, during certain periods of life. But outside of the occasional anovulatory cycle, the majority of your cycles should be ovulatory, and if they are not, that is a red flag and a sign that it’s time to talk with your doctor.
Going through a transitory phase of life like adolescence or menopause
Times of hormonal re-calibration like coming off of the birth control pill, and the postpartum period, especially while breastfeeding
Illness - even something as slight as getting a low fever right before you’re supposed to ovulate can cause your body to skip ovulating
Stress, especially times of extreme stress. To put it simply, if your body perceives that it is unsafe to bring a child into the world at the moment, it may suppress ovulation.
Travel - even though travel can be a great way to unwind, it is a form of stress on the body, and some people are more sensitive to this than others.
Overexercising
Under-eating
Weight gain or weight loss
Certain methods of birth control that do not aim to suppress ovulation, but sometimes do (like progestin-only methods like the implant or IUD)
Underlying medical conditions like PCOS, hypothyroidism, or endometriosis
What should I do if I’ve had an anovulatory cycle?
The occasional anovulatory cycle is not something to be worried about, especially if it correlates with one of the temporary situations listed above. However, if it’s happening regularly, or is lasting months on end, this is a good time to go see your doctor as anovulatory cycles could potentially be a sign of something like PCOS, hypothyroidism, or endometriosis.
You can also engage in general behaviors that support your body’s ability to ovulate:
Get enough sleep (in a dark room)
Find a strategy for reducing stress that works for you
Eat plenty of fresh vegetables/fruits and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Keep your blood sugar balanced by incorporating protein and fat at each meal, and prioritizing carbs from whole food sources like veggies, fruit, legumes, and whole grains.
Avoid trans fats (anything hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated)
Drink plenty of water, at least half of your body weight in ounces in each day
Find a form of exercise you love that isn’t too intense
Avoid endocrine disrupting substances (like parabens and phthalates) found in personal care products like shampoos and lotions
Work with a complementary provider (in addition to your doctor) like a nutritionist or practitioner to develop a personalized nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement plan
At the end of the day, context is key - at times anovulatory cycles are completely normal and even to be expected. But if they are a common occurrence for you, if you think something might be wrong, or you’re already worried about a potential medical condition, it may be time to talk with your doctor. This article is meant as information only and should not be taken as medical advice - please contact your doctor if you have further questions about anovulatory cycles or believe you are not ovulating.
Sources:
“Taking Charge of Your Fertility” by Toni Weschler
“Period Repair Manual” by Lara Briden, ND
