Related Terms
• perimenopause
• endometrial hyperplasia
• menstrual cycle
Definition: A menstrual cycle in which ovulation fails to occur. These cycles tend to occur occasionally throughout the childbearing years, but are most common during adolescence and in the years before menopause ("perimenopause"). Too many of these can contribute to irregular bleeding, or endometrial hyperplasia. If a woman experiences bleeding between periods for more than 2-3 cycles, she should notify her doctor.
Hormonal imbalances, such as those caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can also cause anovulatory menstrual cycles.
Pronunciation: ann OV you la toe ree; ann ov you LA shun • (noun)
Also Known As: anovulation, skipped cycle
Common Misspellings: annovulation, annovulatory
Related Resources:
Making Sense of Hyperplasia
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