Often, women planning a pregnancy are prescribed a study called folliculometry. What kind of testing is this? How is it carried out? What opportunities does it open for modern diagnostics? These questions are of interest to many patients in the gynecological department.
What is a study?
Unfortunately, not all women manage to get pregnant quickly. In some cases, when planning a pregnancy, a test known as folliculometry is prescribed. What kind of research is this? In fact, it is an ultrasound monitoring that 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 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 some disorders of the reproductive system.
Folliculometry: when to do? Indications for the procedure
First of all, a similar procedure is used in family planning centers. The most accurate results - this is what folliculometry helps to achieve. When to do this procedure? To begin with, it is worth noting that monitoring makes it possible 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, an ultrasound scan is used to determine the causes of impaired normal functioning of the reproductive system and menstrual cycle failure. The same study is prescribed to track how hormonal drugs affect ovarian function. And the procedure in combination with some other tests is used to diagnose female infertility. In addition, folliculometry is often performed before in vitro fertilization.
Do I need special training?
Of course, many patients are interested in whether any special preparation is required before an ultrasound. Folliculometry does not require complex preparations. For girls who have not yet had sexual intercourse, ultrasound is usually done through the abdominal wall - in such cases, just before the procedure, you should drink 0.5-1 l of water. A full bladder will provide maximum visibility to the pelvic organs.
In some cases, transvaginal ultrasound examination will be more informative. In order to ensure maximum accuracy of the study, women are advised to abandon products that increase the formation of gases in the intestines at least one day before the procedure - first of all, cabbage and legumes, as well as some fruits and dairy products. It is advisable to cleanse the intestines with a candle or enema with digested water.
Folliculometry: on which day of the cycle is the study scheduled?
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? It is immediately worth noting that the study will probably have to be repeated more than once. For women with a normal menstrual cycle that lasts 28 days, as a rule, 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 some deviations, in particular, to diagnose the follicular cyst.
For patients who have a stable cycle lasting more or less than 28 days, the first examination is prescribed six days before the expected start of ovulation. In any case, in the future you will have to repeat the procedure every two or three days. Repeated studies are carried out either until the period of ovulation, or until the end of the menstrual cycle.
How is the procedure going?
As already mentioned, the study can be performed both through the abdominal wall and transvaginally - the doctor conducting the test selects the appropriate method. Basically, the procedure goes the same way as a conventional ultrasound. Folliculometry is a common pelvic examination . Monitoring follicles takes very little time, and the procedure itself is completely painless.
Deciphering the 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 may notice one, rarely several, enlarged follicles. In any case, only one egg matures - its dominance is determined after a few days. On average, the 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 on these details that the doctor draws attention.
Moreover, immediately after the rupture of the mature follicle and the release of the egg, a yellow body forms in its place, which can be examined for a few days during an ultrasound. After ovulation, a small amount of free fluid is present in the recurrent space. In any case, after folliculometry, a control blood test for hormone levels is required - normally an increase in the amount of progesterone is observed.
What disorders helps to determine such a study?
A similar technique helps determine the exact time of ovulation. But the possibilities do not end there - there are many other discoveries that folliculometry allows to make. What are these important facts?
First of all, constant monitoring allows the doctor to evaluate the work of the uterus and ovaries. Using 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, some patients are diagnosed with fibroids and other diseases. Using the results of such a study, 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 effect of certain drugs on the reproductive system.
In fact, it is difficult to overestimate the value of this study, because it helps a specialist make the correct diagnosis and select the best treatment methods.
Reviews and additional information
Today, more and more patients are prescribed folliculometry. Testimonials from experts indicate 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 disorders. In any case, the procedure is painless and does not take much time. The disadvantages include the fact that the procedure must be repeated every two days (not everyone is comfortable). You can do it 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 institution. On average, one ultrasound procedure costs about 300-500 rubles.