Can menstruation occur without ovarian follicles?

It is possible to have menstruation without follicles. Menstruation is caused by the shedding of the endometrium, which is related to the stimulation of estrogen secretion. Follicles are formed in the ovaries. Even if there are no follicles or no ovulation, menstruation may still come, but it may be anovulatory menstruation.

If women want to maintain normal reproductive function, in addition to menstruation, the ovaries must also have qualified follicles, so that they can maintain normal ovulation. However, some women have normal menstruation, but when they go for a checkup, they have no follicles. So can there be menstruation without follicles?

1. Will there be menstruation without follicles?

It is possible to have menstruation without follicles. Menstruation is formed after the endometrium is shed, and it is closely related to the stimulation of estrogen secretion. Follicles are formed in the ovaries, so even if there are no follicles or no ovulation, menstruation may still occur. However, there are two types of menstruation, namely ovulatory menstruation and anovulatory menstruation. If menstruation occurs without follicles, it is anovulatory menstruation.

2. Reasons for menstruation without follicles

1. Not a real period

If there is no follicle, there will be no corpus luteum formation, and progesterone cannot be secreted normally. Although some women have regular uterine bleeding, this is not true menstruation, but anovulatory menstruation. Since progesterone cannot be secreted normally, women cannot get pregnant even if they have normal menstruation at this time.

2. Failure to reach the peak of estrogen secretion

The corpus luteum will secrete a large amount of estrogen and progesterone, but it will also inhibit the hypothalamus, causing the luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone to decrease, and the corpus luteum will shrink, thereby reducing the secretion of progesterone and estrogen. The endometrium will shed and bleed because it does not receive the support of these hormones. If the follicles only develop to a certain extent, although they can secrete a certain amount of estrogen, the secretion of estrogen cannot reach its peak, so there are no follicles, but menstruation can occur.