Anovulation

Anovulation is the failure to release an egg from the ovary during the menstrual cycle, and PCOS is the most common cause, accounting for approximately 70% of anovulatory infertility cases. In PCOS, excess androgens and disrupted hormonal signaling prevent follicles from fully maturing and reaching the point of ovulation, causing them to accumulate as small, immature cysts on the ovaries instead. Without ovulation, the body cannot produce progesterone, leading to irregular or absent periods, unopposed estrogen exposure, and inability to conceive naturally. Restoring ovulation through lifestyle changes, medications like letrozole, or other treatments is a primary goal in PCOS management for both fertility and long-term health.