What is follicular atresia

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

Follicular atresia refers to a group of symptoms characterized by a regular menstrual cycle and the assumption of ovulation, but in reality, the follicle does not rupture during the mid-cycle, resulting in anovulation. It is one of the important causes of infertility. Patients are often clinically diagnosed with unexplained infertility, luteal dysfunction, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease.
A normal follicle grows to approximately 1.8-2.5 cm before rupturing. If the follicle does not rupture but instead atretic, it indicates luteinization, and an endocrine examination is necessary to determine the underlying cause. There are many endocrine factors that can lead to follicular atresia. The primary one is insufficient estrogen levels, and endometrial thickening also suggests hormonal issues.
If the follicle indeed fails to ovulate and atretic, it is recommended to visit a regular specialized hospital for an endocrine examination to identify the cause. Treatment should then be based on the specific etiology for better outcomes.