Achieving pregnancy in the anovulatory woman

Introduction Anovulation is a common cause of infertility. Most women with anovulation present with irregular menses, repeated failure to detect positive luteinising hormone (LH) surge by ovulation kits or low midluteal serum progesterone levels. The typical work-up of anovulation includes blood tests for thyroid disorders, impaired gonadotrophin secretion and increased prolactin and androgen secretion. The most frequent cause of anovulation is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Treatment of women with anovulation should be directed at correcting the underlying pathology, if possible; helping the woman achieve fertility, if desired; and medical treatment to prevent complications of the disease process.