Skip to content
My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up
Last Reply:
Includes Expert Content
Period question!
avatar
mrscritter10 posted:
Is it possible to have a semi-regular period without ovulating?

I have cysts on my ovaries (not full on PCOS) and my last OBGYN said that they absorbed the eggs before they could be released. So how am I having semi-regular periods?


any thoughts?

Thanks!
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Period question!Is it possible to have a semi-regular period without ovulating? <br /><br />I have cysts on my ovaries (not full on PCOS) and my last OBGYN said that they absorbed the eggs before they could be released. So how am I having semi-regular periods?<br /><br /><br />any thoughts?<br /><br />Thanks!
Reply
 
avatar
Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear mrscritter: Excellent question! A woman can have apparently regular flows and yet still not be having regular ovulations. How can this happen? In a cycle without an ovulation, estrogen stimulation (assisted by the hormone FSH ) will continue to make the lining of the uterus grow thicker and thicker.

In the absence of a LH surge, no ovulation will occur. The progesterone level will not rise. When the follicle that contains the un-ovulated egg gets re-absorbed the woman's blood estrogen level will drop. This triggers much of the lining to be shed. Thus if it takes two to three weeks for the follicle and un-ovulated egg to regress, the woman may have somewhat regular bleeds.

Lastly, the presence of very regular periods, accompanied by common premenstrual symptoms (eg tender breasts, water weight gain, etc.) suggests an ovulatory cycle—especially when there are menstrual cramps. Yet this may not always be the case. Even in as many as 5% of these "classic for ovulation" cycles, ovulation may not have occurred (Speroff, 1999).

Yours,
Jane
Report This| Share this:Period question!Dear mrscritter: Excellent question! A woman can have apparently regular flows and yet still not be having regular ovulations. How can this happen? In a cycle without an ovulation, estrogen stimulation (assisted by the hormone FSH ) will continue to make the lining of the uterus grow thicker and thicker.<br /><br />In the absence of a LH surge, no ovulation will occur. The progesterone level will not rise. When the follicle that contains the un-ovulated egg gets re-absorbed the woman's blood estrogen level will drop. This triggers much of the lining to be shed. Thus if it takes two to three weeks for the follicle and un-ovulated egg to regress, the woman may have somewhat regular bleeds. <br /><br />Lastly, the presence of very regular periods, accompanied by common premenstrual symptoms (eg tender breasts, water weight gain, etc.) suggests an ovulatory cycle&mdash;especially when there are menstrual cramps. Yet this may not always be the case. Even in as many as 5% of these "classic for ovulation" cycles, ovulation may not have occurred (Speroff, 1999).<br /><br />Yours,<br />Jane
Reply
 
avatar
queenmicky3 replied to Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP's response:
Dear Jane: They have put me on the pill to help regulate me and I just sick of the way the pill made me feel. They change my dosage so many time and still didn't agree with me. So this past November I stopped taking the pill. Well my first period was end of February early March...Now I just started again on the 7th of this month...still on but just spotting. So i guess my question would be could I still ovulate giving my periods are so out of whack?
Also my husband and I had unprotected sex last night and wanted to know if I could get pregnant.
Report This| Share this:Period question!Dear Jane: They have put me on the pill to help regulate me and I just sick of the way the pill made me feel. They change my dosage so many time and still didn't agree with me. So this past November I stopped taking the pill. Well my first period was end of February early March...Now I just started again on the 7th of this month...still on but just spotting. So i guess my question would be could I still ovulate giving my periods are so out of whack?<br />Also my husband and I had unprotected sex last night and wanted to know if I could get pregnant.
Reply
 
avatar
Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP replied to queenmicky3's response:
Dear queenmickey: See my reply to your other post.
JHH
Report This| Share this:Period question!Dear queenmickey: See my reply to your other post.<br />JHH
Reply


Back to Top
Back to Top

See Related Women's Health Communities

See All Communities

Featuring Experts

Profile
Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP Expert
Jane Harrison-Hohner, RN, RNP, is a nurse practitioner and has been a practicing women's health care specialist for 15 years. She was on the facul...More

Popular Discussions

Start a Discussion | See All

Helpful Tips

Hysterectomy
I am having heavy bleeding and sever pain with it every month that it affects my daily living when I have it I even had to drop out of ... More
Was this Helpful?
Yes No
16 of 27 found this helpful
Post a Tip | See All

Helpful Resources

Post a Resource | See All

Expert Blog

Below the Belt: Women's Health - Jane Harrison-Hohner, RN, RNP

From HPV to irregular periods to PMS to fibroids, Jane Harrison-Hohner, RN, is here to share her knowledge and insight...Read More

Related News

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

FDAYou are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.