Follicular Monitoring

To monitor and study the follicles properly, your doctor may recommend follicular monitoring. This effective technique involves numerous transvaginal scans where the doctor studies the growth of the follicles from menstruation to the egg release stage. If you’re undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedures then also this ovarian follicle assessment is necessary.

Who Should Consider Follicular Monitoring?

Experiencing Ovulation-Related Problems

If you’re below 35 years and willing to get pregnant then ovulation disorders can be a leading cause behind failed attempts of conception. Follicular monitoring can be used in such cases to study the growth and number of follicles and determine the chances of premature ovarian failure.

Suffering from PCOD

A follicular monitoring scan can also be recommended for women who are suffering from PCOD. This is because PCOD is the main cause of irregular ovulation and menstruation cycle that can lead to anovulation. In such cases, this can help in determining the probability of ovulation.

Infertility Evaluation

Follicular study can also play a major role in infertility evaluation. This test also helps in selecting the best infertility treatment for you such as IVF (In vitro fertilization) and IUI (Intra uterine insemination).

Monitoring Fertility Drugs

If you’re using an IVF cycle to get pregnant then the infertility specialist may perform follicular monitoring to adjust the dosage of the fertility drugs and determine their effectiveness of it. The doctor may also perform this test before injecting the drugs for ovarian stimulation.

Decreased Fertility Rates

If you’re above 35 years then your fertility rates will gradually decrease. In such cases, follicular monitoring is conducted to inform you of the best time for intercourse, which will further increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

When Is It Done?

For IUI

If you’re undergoing an IUI treatment, then the doctor will first conduct a baseline test and after that medications will be recommended for egg release. During this procedure, the follicular monitoring can be done from the 8th day of the treatment which may continue until it reaches the size of around 18mm. After this, an HCG injection will be provided and an IUI will be planned.

For Natural Cycle

In the case of natural conception, baseline sonography will be conducted on the 2nd or 3rd day of your menstrual cycle. The remnant follicles and endometrium are checked during this time. After almost 10 days, the size of the follicles is analysed to determine the best period for intercourse.

For IVF

Follicular monitoring will be performed frequently if you’re undergoing an IVF cycle. The sonography during this procedure usually starts after 2nd day of menstruation and then again on the 5th day. Based on these reports, the follicular size is determined and the dosage of the injections is altered.

Procedural Details

• At first, you will be directed by the doctor to empty your bladder before the follicular monitoring.
• You will then be asked to lie down on the examination table by separating your legs.
• The sonographer will then put lubricant over a transducer for smooth insertion of it inside the vagina.
• The lubricated transducer will be inserted through your vagina which will then send high-frequency sound waves to the reproductive organs.
• The doctor will then look through the images and recordings of your pelvic organs to check the follicular size, growth, and other factors.

Advantages

A follicle scan is an effective, non-invasive, and safe method which can offer you a wide range of advantages. Some of the most common benefits of this test are:

• It Helps in Checking the Chances of Luteal Phase Deficiency.
• It Helps in Detecting the Follicles that Don’t Grow.
• It Detects any Abnormalities in the Quality and Thickness of the Endometrium.
• It Determines the Presence of any Ovulation Disorders or OHSS.
• It Acts as a Guide to Administer Ovulation-inducing Injections or Drugs.

Side-Effects

Follicular monitoring is an extremely safe scanning technique, which involves no physical side effects. However, some women may experience mild discomfort during the procedure.