anovulation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “anovulation” mean?
The absence of ovulation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The absence of ovulation; failure of the ovary to release a mature egg during the menstrual cycle.
In medicine and reproductive biology, a condition where ovulation does not occur, which is a common cause of female infertility. It can be temporary or chronic, resulting from hormonal imbalances, stress, medical conditions (like PCOS), or lifestyle factors.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent. The term is equally used in both medical communities.
Connotations
Identical clinical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to larger volume of medical literature and public discourse on fertility treatments, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “anovulation” in a Sentence
[Patient] experiences anovulation.[Condition/Cause] leads to/causes anovulation.[Treatment] addresses/treats anovulation.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anovulation” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She has an anovulatory cycle.
- The anovulatory state was confirmed by ultrasound.
American English
- An anovulatory bleed can resemble a period.
- They diagnosed her with anovulatory dysfunction.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in biotech or pharmaceutical contexts related to fertility drugs.
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and public health papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Very rare, mostly used in discussions with healthcare providers or in fertility support groups.
Technical
The primary context. Used in clinical diagnoses, treatment plans, and scientific research on reproduction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anovulation”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anovulation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anovulation”
- Misspelling as 'annovulation' (double 'n').
- Confusing with 'anovulatory' (the adjective form).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'She anovulates') – the verb form is 'fail to ovulate' or 'not ovulate'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Anovulation is a common cause of female infertility, but infertility can have many other causes. Conversely, a woman may have anovulatory cycles but still become pregnant if ovulation occurs occasionally.
Yes. This is called an anovulatory cycle. Bleeding can occur due to hormonal fluctuations even if no egg was released, though this bleeding may be irregular in timing and flow.
Irregular or absent menstrual periods, very light or very heavy bleeding, lack of cyclical symptoms like mid-cycle pain (mittelschmerz) or changes in cervical mucus, and difficulty tracking a basal body temperature pattern.
No. It can be temporary (e.g., due to stress, illness, or extreme weight loss) or chronic (e.g., due to PCOS or other endocrine disorders). Many cases are treatable with medication or lifestyle changes.
The absence of ovulation.
Anovulation is usually technical/medical in register.
Anovulation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ɒv.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ɑː.vjəˈleɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'AN' (meaning 'not' or 'without') + 'OVULATION' (releasing an egg). So, 'anovulation' = 'without ovulation'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A factory malfunction: The ovary as a factory that fails to release its monthly product (the egg).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most precise definition of 'anovulation'?