Folliculometry - what is it? On what day of the cycle is folliculometry done?

Often, women in planning pregnancy are assigned a study called folliculometry. What is this testing? How is it conducted? What are the opportunities for modern diagnostics? These questions are of interest to many gynecological patients.

What is the research?

Unfortunately, not all women can quickly become pregnant. In some cases, when planning pregnancy, testing is prescribed, known as folliculometry. What is this research? In fact, it is ultrasound monitoring, which allows you to monitor the development and maturation of the follicle from the beginning to the end of the menstrual cycle.

To date, such a study is considered one of the most accurate methods that allow you to determine the days of ovulation and, accordingly, increase the chance of fertilization of the egg. This technique is widely used in gynecology, and not only for tracking the menstrual cycle, but also for the diagnosis of certain disorders of the reproductive system.

Folliculometry: when to do? Indications for the procedure

First of all, this procedure is used in family planning centers. The most accurate results - this is what folliculometry helps to achieve. When to do this procedure? For starters, it should be noted that monitoring provides an opportunity to determine the presence of ovulation, as well as its exact timing. This is extremely important for women who have an irregular menstrual cycle.

In addition, ultrasound is used to determine the cause of the disruption of the normal functioning of the reproductive system and the failure of the menstrual cycle. The same study is used to track how the hormonal drugs affect ovarian function. And the procedure in conjunction with some other tests is used to diagnose female infertility. In addition, folliculometry is often performed before in vitro fertilization.

Do we need special training?

Of course, many patients are interested in whether any special preparation is required before ultrasound. Folliculometry does not require complicated preparations. Girls who have not had sexual intercourse, ultrasound, as a rule, is conducted through the abdominal wall - in such cases, just before the procedure, it is worth to drink 0.5-1 liters of water. A filled bladder will ensure maximum visibility of the pelvic organs.

In some cases, transvaginal ultrasound will be more informative. In order to ensure the maximum accuracy of the study, women are recommended at least one day before the procedure to refuse products that increase the formation of gases in the intestine - this is primarily cabbage and legumes, as well as some fruits and dairy products. It is advisable to cleanse the intestines with the help of a durable candle or an enema with digested water.

Folliculometry: what day of the cycle is the study assigned?

Naturally, in order to correctly assess the condition and functioning of the reproductive system, it is extremely important to start and correctly diagnose in time. There is an extremely important question that interests all patients: on what day do folliculometry? Immediately it is worth noting that the study will probably have to be repeated more than once. Women with a normal menstrual cycle, which lasts 28 days, usually the first ultrasound is prescribed on the eighth or tenth day. Naturally, during this period it is difficult to isolate the desired follicle - nevertheless, it is possible to determine the presence of certain abnormalities, in particular, to diagnose the follicular cyst.

Patients who have a stable cycle lasting more or less than 28 days, the first examination is prescribed six days before the expected onset of ovulation. In any case, in the future, you will have to repeat the procedure every two or three days. Repeated studies are performed either before the period of ovulation, or until the end of the menstrual cycle.

How does the procedure work?

As already mentioned, the study can be performed both through the abdominal wall and transvaginally - a suitable method is chosen by the doctor conducting the test. Basically the procedure is the same as the usual ultrasound. Folliculometry is a routine examination of pelvic organs. Monitoring of the follicles takes very little time, and the procedure itself is absolutely painless.

Explanation of results

Of course, there are some data that allow us to determine how successfully folliculometry was performed. What are these indicators? As a rule, during the first examination the doctor can notice one, rarely several, enlarged follicles. In any case, only one ovum ripens - its dominance is determined after a few days. The average diameter of the follicle is 12-15 mm. But its dimensions are constantly increasing - at the time of ovulation they are most often 25 mm. It is to these details that the doctor pays attention.

Moreover, immediately after the rupture of the ripened follicle and the release of the egg in its place, a yellow body forms, which can be considered for a few more days during ultrasound. After ovulation, a small amount of free liquid is present in the pozamontic space. In any case, after a folliculometry, a control blood test for the level of hormones is required - normally an increase in the amount of progesterone is observed.

What disorders help determine such a study?

This technique helps to determine the exact time of ovulation. But this does not end there - there are a lot of other discoveries that allow you to perform folliculometry. What are these important facts?

First and foremost, constant monitoring allows the doctor to assess the performance of the uterus and ovaries. With the help of ultrasound, you can determine the presence of various neoplasms, including, for example, a cyst, etc. There are other diseases that can be detected during folliculometry. For example, in some patients, fibroids and other diseases are diagnosed. With the help of the results of such research, the gynecologist has the opportunity to determine the cause of infertility. Moreover, the technique is used even during therapy, as it allows you to carefully monitor the effects of certain drugs on the reproductive system.

In fact, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of this study, because it helps the specialist to correctly diagnose and select the best methods of treatment.

Reviews and additional information

Today, more and more patients are prescribed folliculometry. The feedback from specialists shows that this is the most accurate and effective method of diagnosis and monitoring. This technique is indispensable for couples who want to have a baby, as well as for patients suffering from certain violations. In any case, the procedure is painless and does not take much time. The disadvantages can be attributed only to the fact that the procedure must be repeated every two days (not everyone is comfortable with it). It can be done in special diagnostic institutions or family planning clinics. As for the cost, it varies depending on the city, the equipment used and the pricing policy of the establishment. On average, one ultrasound procedure costs about 300-500 rubles.