Use of a follicular study
The use of the follicular study is to determine the number and growth of active follicles in your ovaries. The active follicles are most likely to contain an egg and hence these studies can predict ovulation effectively. Ovulation the time of the release of an egg from the follicle in the ovary. Therefore your doctor can guide you regarding the fertile window for trying the natural conception. By doing a follicular study we can optimize the time for trial for natural conception also.
After the follicular scan is completed, a couple can opt for planning pregnancy when the ovulation is likely to begin. In case the pregnancy is to take place with the help of fertility treatments, the reports of the study can help to know the presence of the active follicles. Doctors and couples can also know the appropriate time for extracting the egg that can help in fertilization.
When is follicular monitoring or tracking necessary?
Any woman who is trying to conceive can opt for follicle tracking. It is generally advised as the first line of treatment for those who cannot conceive for more than a year. The age of the woman plays a significant role among those couples who cannot conceive. This is because women who are aged cannot produce good eggs.
If younger than thirty-five years of age but are not able to conceive for the past year. If older than thirty-five years and trying to conceive actively for the past six months without success.
If a woman has PCOS/PCOD( Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome/Disease) and is not aware of the time of ovulation or not sure if are ovulating at all.
Follicular monitoring helps in diagnosing whether the cycles are ovulatory or anovulatory that is whether the egg is maturing and releasing or not. Follicular monitoring is also important if you are on fertility drugs to initiate ovulation, it helps to assess the response to drugs and rule out any side effects as multiple follicles. If you are undergoing advanced fertility treatment like IUI or IVF, then also follicular monitoring plays an impeccable role.
How does Follicle Tracking Works?
Follicular monitoring is performed by a trained fertility specialist or ultrasound doctors. The ultrasound scan can be done by transvaginal or and abdominal ultrasound though It is preferred internally or transvaginally as it is more accurate and more informative. The timing of the same is decided by your cyclical pattern.
A baseline follicular scan is also preferred on Day 2 of the menstrual cycle at the start of fertility treatment. Follicular studies typically start around day nine or ten of the menstrual cycle and go on till the release of the developing follicle.
Follicle size for ovulation
Before ovulation, the average diameter of the dominant follicle is 22-24 mm. The dominant follicle grows fastest and has the largest volume. However, the growth of follicles does not mean that they contain mature eggs.
Side Effects of a Follicular Ultrasound Scan
There are no side effects of a follicular ultrasound scan.
The success rate of follicular study
The success rate of follicular study depends upon the age and medical history of a woman. But the research has an excellent success rate.
Advantages of Folliculometry
There are many advantages to folliculometry. They are:
Sometimes follicles are unable to grow till their optimum size of rupturing can be diagnosed.
It can be analyzed with folliculometry.
Can diagnose unruptured follicle syndrome that is follicle grows to optimal size but fails to
release.
Sometimes some follicles remain undetected. Folliculometry helps to detect them.
It helps to detect the luteal phase of deficiency.
Helps to diagnose endometrial problems which can lead to failure of conception.
Complications can be detected very early and treated as well.
It also guides treatments with the help of injections and ovulation-inducing drugs.
