Follicular Monitoring Scan
Follicular Monitoring Scan
Follicular monitoring
What is follicular monitoring?
Follicular monitoring is the process of a serial ultrasound monitoring of the ovarian follicles to identify the maturation status of eggs & documenting the pathway to ovulation. Follicular test is a vital component of IVF assessment and timing, as it also checks for follicular cysts in ovaries.
In women taking fertility medication, follicle monitoring is essential to assess her response to treatment and adjusting the dosage.
What are follicles?
Ovarian follicles are small functional and anatomical sacs filled with fluid that are found inside a woman’s ovaries. They secrete oestrogen required for normal development of egg maturation and other hormones which influence stages of the menstrual cycle.
How is follicular monitoring done?
- Follicular monitoring begins from day 2 or day 3 of cycle.
- 2 or 3 dimension measurement of the follicle is taken.
- When the follicle is 16mm, it grows 2mm per day.
- After it reaches 19 to 20mm, HCG injection is given to trigger ovulation.
What happens to follicles during IVF?
After HCG injection is given to trigger ovulation the egg collection procedure is started after 36 hours of injection to allow the collection of best possible eggs. The mature eggs are then sent to the laboratory to fertilize with sperm.
Summary
The study of follicles is important in the couples who are trying to conceive the child. The follicular monitoring can be done several times during the women’s menstrual cycle. It is very important especially in the In-Vitro Fertility assessment and timing. Dr. Mayuri Kothiwala states that the procedure can sometimes be stressful for the females who are trying to conceive. But patience and positive attitude supports the treatment.