Follicular monitoring is a crucial part of the fertility treatment procedure. It monitors the size and number of developing follicles in the ovaries. It comprises a series of transvaginal ultrasounds for the same.
Transvaginal ultrasounds for follicular monitoring began around the late 1980s and have successfully replaced transabdominal ultrasounds. Follicular monitoring gives precise information regarding various stages of follicular development and helps to formulate an accurate treatment plan. Reviva IVF & Fertility, the leading clinic for Follicular Monitoring in Chandigarh, talks about this procedure in detail and how it helps to increase one’s fertility.
What is Transvaginal Ultrasound?
Transvaginal ultrasound is an imaging technique that gives a detailed outline of pelvic organs such as the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and cervix. The sound waves from the transducer reflect from the pelvic structures. The transducer records these reflected sound waves and converts them into electrical signals. By projecting these signals onto a screen, the technician can see a real-time image of the pelvic organs. It being trans-vaginal ultrasound results in better scans than transabdominal ultrasound. Its most successful application is follicular monitoring, a benchmark for infertility diagnosis.
What is the Difference Between Transabdominal and Transvaginal Ultrasounds for Pelvic Organ Scanning?
- A transabdominal ultrasound needs a full bladder or distended bladder for a better view of the uterus and other pelvic organs. A transvaginal ultrasound needs one to empty the bladder for the test.
- A transabdominal ultrasound doesn’t show the different stages of folliculogenesis effectively. Transvaginal ultrasound is more effective in differentiating between different phases of follicular development.
- A transabdominal ultrasound doesn’t give a clear image of uterine and cervical pathologies, whereas a transvaginal ultrasound provides a better diagnosis.
When is Follicular Monitoring Done?
Follicular monitoring provides real-time images of different phases of follicle formation and egg release. Most fertility doctors perform a single-cycle imaging, which gives an overview of the general ovulation process in a female. A single-cycle consists of three rounds of transvaginal ultrasound in various stages of development.
- The first round is 2-3 days after the commencement of periods, denoting the initial phase of follicle development.
- The second round is 10-11 days after periods, noting the size of the follicle, endometrial thickness, and number of developing follicles.
- The third round of ultrasounds is on the approximate day of follicular rupture, as calculated from the findings of the second round.
The three ultrasounds help to decide the best time for intercourse and conception that will lead to fertilization. Talk to your nearest IVF clinic about your queries regarding follicular monitoring in Chandigarh.
How Does Follicular Monitoring Help to Track Fertility?
Follicular monitoring is an indispensable part of fertility diagnosis. There are multiple applications of follicular monitoring:
- Post-fertility treatment to check an increase in follicle number.
- Find out the right time of ovulation and the best time for conception.
- Check for anomalies in follicular formation and rupture and suggest treatment options.
- Check the thickness of the follicle and the endometrial lining and confirm if those are within normal limits.
- Check out the number of follicles that are normal for conception. Females with age 20-35 should have 15 or more. This number goes on decreasing with increasing age.
- Diagnose if any follicle doesn’t grow by the time of rupture or doesn’t rupture at all.
It’s a standard test for diagnosing the cause of infertility. If you’re experiencing the same, book an appointment for follicular monitoring in Chandigarh to get a clear picture.
Other Conservative Methods To Determine Ovulation
There are other non-invasive methods of determining the right time for ovulation. These are:
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Ovulation Home Test Kits
This test detects a surge in LH (Luteinizing Hormone) in the urine. A rise in this hormone indicates the time for follicle rupture and release of the ovum. It is an accurate predictor of ovulation with a 99% accuracy rate.
The ovulation home test kit contains 5-6 sticks. These sticks are used at different intervals after periods within an ovulation cycle. The test indicates positive when it detects increased LH levels.
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Basal Body Temperature Charting
Women measure their body temperature first thing in the morning before rising from bed. Note down the daily reading and observe. An increase in basal body temperature throughout the ovulation cycle indicates that ovulation is taking place.
Limitations of The Conservative Home Ovulation Test Methods
- They do not indicate the number of follicles.
- Do not indicate the size of the mature follicle.
- Do not indicate the thickness of the endometrial lining.
- They do not help in diagnosing the reason for follicular development anomaly.
- They do not indicate an increase in follicle number after treatment.
Conclusion:
Follicular monitoring is an imperative step in determining the effect of fertility treatment on the patient. That’s why it has become a standard practice. It’s a quick way to see if the follicle is maturing normally pre and post-treatment. One can use at-home ovulation kits, but they only give a one-dimensional indication of fertility. To see the complete picture on screen, visit a fertility clinic near you and ask about follicular monitoring in Chandigarh.