Folliculometry

“My doctor told me I need a folliculometry. Are they going to measure something?” 

Folliculometry is a technique of ultrasound diagnostics aimed at the evaluation of the ovarian function throughout the menstrual cycle. Such examinations can be started on 2nd-7th day of the cycle and repeated every 2 to 7 days.

This is an ultrasound examination, the doctor evaluates the growth of the dominant follicle and the endometrium. If there are no indications for IVF, and the doctor detects ovulation, they check if the endometrial thickness corresponds to the follicle growth, and then recommend to plan natural pregnancy based on these factors.

If there is no ovulation, the doctor can detect the following reasons: 

• Atresia - sudden stop in the dominant follicle’s growth;

• Persistence - a follicle doesn’t burst open and an egg cell doesn’t come out;

• Follicular cyst - the follicle growth doesn’t stop but it keeps collecting fluid;

• Luteinization - the premature formation of the corpus luteum (yellow body) in an ovary;

• Anovulation - no follicle developed during the current cycle.

In an IVF treatment, the folliculometry is aimed at the evaluation of the ovaries’ response to the stimulation and at the correction of the current stimulation plan.