Anovulatory Cycle - sometimes a follicle swells but doesn’t burst, and ovulation doesn’t occur. As a consequence, the corpus luteum can’t form, and progesterone never rises. If we think about the uterus, that means that the second phase (secretory phase) never occurs. The endometrium just grows and grows. With each successive cycle, the endometrium grows taller. Eventually it turns into a skyscraper, which isn’t very stable. That can lead to dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Anovulatory cycles are common around menarche and menopause.