Decreased LH and FSH levels appear to be implicated in cases of disturbed menstrual cycles. In women with ovulatory dysfunction, ovulation does not occur consistently. Most causes of ovulatory dysfunction are related to an imbalance of hormones. The hypothalamus and pituitary glands play an important role in regulating amounts of FSH and LH. Inadequate amounts of FSH and LH in the beginning of the menstrual cycle can cause ovulatory dysfunction. Therefore, any changes in how the hypothalamus and pituitary function can affect ovulation.
Furthermore, women with ovulatory dysfunction often also suffer from diseases of the thyroid gland (Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism). It is not entirely understood how these diseases cause ovulatory dysfunction. It may be due to the higher amounts of estrogen in women with these disorders. High levels of estrogen interfere with the growth of the follicle and also interfere with the increase of LH and FSH that is required for release of the egg.
One of the most common signs of ovulatory dysfunction is irregular menstrual periods. The time between 2 periods may range anywhere from 26 to 70 or more days. Each cycle is very unpredictable – one may be 30 days and the next may be 65 days. It is difficult to know if ovulation takes place during these irregular cycles unless a woman monitors her basal body temperature (BBT) or uses a urinary ovulation detection kit. Ovulatory dysfunction may only be recognized when the woman experiences difficulty conceiving. It is important to remember however, that a woman may not ovulate even though she has very regular, consistent cycles.
In addition, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia also contribute to ovulatory dysfunction by altering the normal activity of LH. LH levels continually fluctuate throughout a normal menstrual cycle. However, in anorexic and bulimic women LH does not fluctuate as it should and causes irregular or absent periods. As these women gain weight and eat right, their cycles begin to return to normal.
Female athletes that exercise excessively often lose their menstrual regularity. Dietary changes, hormonal changes, and the physical “stress” of exercise all appear to contribute to menstrual changes.
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