Ovarian dysfunction: causes and treatment
Ovarian dysfunction is one of the most common problems causing infertility and delayed pregnancy in a group of women. Let us introduce you to the causes and treatment methods in the following:
Ovarian dysfunction is one of the causes of infertility in women, as there is a good percentage of women who suffer from weak ovaries, which is the inability of the ovaries to produce eggs or their production is improper and mature.
The ovaries are the main element in the process of ovulation in women, so we provide you with the most important information about the causes of weak ovaries and methods of treatment in the following:
Causes of weak ovaries
The causes of weak ovaries in women are many, the most famous of which are the following:
- The presence of congenital defects in the female reproductive system, such as obstruction of the fallopian tubes.
- The size of the ovum is too small or too large for the normal shape.
- Cirrhosis of the uterus or the presence of benign or malignant tumors inside it.
- Infection with PCOS, a common occurrence disease in a large proportion of women.
- Disorders in the secretion of female hormones in women or problems in the secretions of the thyroid gland, increasing or decreasing both, as well as excessive secretion of milk hormone in women.
- Being overweight or obese in some women, or being severely underweight.
- Women's persistence in strenuous physical exercise.
- Getting older, as ovulation begins to gradually decrease after the age of thirty-five.
- Taking some medicinal drugs with side effects.
- Disruption in the dates of the menstrual cycle.
risk factors
Factors that increase the likelihood of developing ovarian dysfunction include the following:
1. Getting old
A woman's fertility gradually declines with age, especially in her mid-30s, and declines rapidly after age 37.
Infertility in older women may be due to the number and quality of eggs or to health problems that affect fertility.
2. Smoking
Tobacco smoking by any partner reduces the possibility of pregnancy. Smoking also reduces the potential benefit of fertility treatment. And frequent miscarriages in women who smoke.
3. Drinking alcohol
There is no safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy and alcohol should be avoided if you are planning to become pregnant and have a baby.
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of birth defects and can contribute to infertility in men.
4. Weight gain
An inactive lifestyle and being overweight may increase your risk of developing ovarian dysfunction.
Also, those who suffer from eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, and women who follow a low-calorie diet or a restricted diet are at risk of developing ovarian dysfunction.
5. Family history
That is if there is a family history of ovarian dysfunction, the risk of developing this disorder increases.
6. Surgical operations
Exposure to multiple surgeries on the ovaries and endometriosis or other conditions that require repeated surgeries on the ovaries raises the alarm for ovarian dysfunction.
Ovarian dysfunction treatment
Ovarian dysfunction treatment focuses on managing your individual concerns, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne, and obesity. Specific treatment may include lifestyle changes or medication.
Your doctor may recommend weight loss through a reduced-calorie diet along with moderate exercise activities.
The treatment options for ovarian dysfunction fall into two main categories:
1. Regulating the menstrual cycle
Your doctor may recommend the following:
- Combining birth control pills that contain estrogen and progestin to try to lower androgen production and regulate estrogen.
- Regulating your hormones can reduce the risk of uterine cancer, and correct abnormal bleeding, excessive hair growth, and acne.
- Use a skin patch or vaginal ring instead of a birth control pill that contains a combination of estrogen and progestin.
- Take progesterone therapy for a period recommended by your doctor to regulate your menstrual periods and prevent uterine cancer.
2. Helping with ovulation and activating the ovaries
Your doctor may recommend the following:
1. Anti-estrogen drug
This oral anti-estrogen medication is taken during the first part of the menstrual cycle as it stimulates hormones in the brain that directly stimulate the ovaries to ovulate.
2. Breast cancer drugs
Which works to block the aromatase enzyme, which is involved in the last stage of estrogen production, and can work to stimulate the ovaries and treat ovarian dysfunction.
3. Drugs for regulating insulin resistance
Like metformin, this drug is usually used for type 2 diabetes, as it improves insulin resistance and reduces glucose production by the liver.
4. Cortisone therapy
In cases of immunodeficiency.
5. Other options
It is the treatment of pituitary gland failure and the elimination of the causes that led to its failure.
In addition to taking appropriate doses of calcium and vitamins to treat osteoporosis, improve ovulation and get rid of weak ovaries.
When should you go to the doctor?
If the following symptoms appear, it is necessary to go to the doctor immediately:
- If you have been missing a period for three months or more, you should see your doctor help determine the cause.
- You are between the ages of 35-40 and have tried to get pregnant for six months or more but to no avail.
- You are over the age of 40.
- Experiencing painful menstrual symptoms.
- You have fertility problems.
- You have been diagnosed with endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
- I have had several miscarriages of unknown cause in the past.
- You have had cancer treatment.