Folliculometry

Ultrasound diagnostics of ovarian follicles is recommended in such situations:

• irregular menstruation and other menstrual disorders;
• short (up to 21 days) or long (over 40 days) menstrual cycle;
• absence of pregnancy during 6-12 months of sexual activity without the use of contraception;
• a history of spontaneous abortion;
• selection of the optimal method of infertility treatment;
• comprehensive preparation for the IVF protocol.

When planning a pregnancy, folliculometry is not a mandatory examination method. It is prescribed for women who have reproductive problems.

By tracking the growth of follicles, the doctor can determine the following indicators:

• the presence and the exact day of ovulation;
• the usefulness of the phases of the menstrual cycle;
• readiness of the endometrium for embryo implantation during pregnancy;
• the presence of uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and other organic pathologies of the reproductive organs;
• the effectiveness of the process of controlled stimulation of the ovaries;
• the effectiveness of infertility treatment.

The price of folliculometry in Kyiv depends on the qualifications of the doctor, conditions, and equipment in the clinic, as well as the number of ultrasound examinations in one menstrual cycle. The choice of a competent specialist plays a key role in the informativeness of the diagnosis, so you should not save on the procedure.

Ultrasound waves do not harm a woman's body and do not affect the likelihood of conception. Therefore, it is allowed to plan a pregnancy in the same cycle when folliculometry is performed.

At the consultation before the examination, the doctor will tell you how much folliculometry costs and how it is performed. The specialist will recommend starting preparation for the diagnosis 2-3 days before the procedure to increase the information content of the ultrasound examination.

Basic rules of preparation:

• limit the intake of foods that increase gas production (black bread, legumes, dairy products, fresh fruits, and vegetables);
• in the morning of the study day, empty the intestines; in case of constipation, the doctor will recommend taking an enema or taking a safe laxative;
• empty the bladder before examining the vaginal probe;
• take 1 liter of mineral water before diagnostics with a classic ultrasound sensor through the abdominal wall.

Follicle visualization on ultrasound is carried out by two methods: transvaginal or transabdominal. The first option is preferable since when the sensor is inserted into the vagina, it is possible to examine the state of the ovaries in more detail and detect developing follicles. If there are contraindications to transvaginal insertion of the transducer, an ultrasound scan is performed through the anterior abdominal wall.

Folliculometry includes several ultrasounds in one cycle so that the doctor can monitor the staging of the follicle.

The price of standard folliculometry includes 4 tests:

• on the 8-11th day - one dominant follicle more than 10 mm in size is visualized;
• on the 12-13th day - the diameter of the follicle increases to 20-30 mm;
• on the 14-15th day - the absence of a follicle and the presence of free fluid indicate successful ovulation;
• on the 21-23th day - the formation of the corpus luteum at the site of the dominant follicle is determined.
• Based on the results of the study, the doctor conducts a second consultation and talks about the results obtained. If problems are found, the specialist will select hormone therapy and other treatments to increase the chances of pregnancy.

An appointment for an ultrasound scan for folliculometry in Kyiv is carried out by phone or through an application in the feedback form.

1. Farhan, Abd El Sattar Mohammed, Adel Aly Elboghdady, and Mohammed Emad Elsayyad. Assessment of Different Methods of Ovulation Induction on Endometrial and Ovarian Blood Flow by Transvaginal Ultrasound Doppler. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine 75.1 (2019): 1953-1962.
2. Coelho Neto MA, Ludwin A, Borrell A, Benacerraf B, Dewailly D, da Silva Costa F, Condous G, Alcazar JL, Jokubkiene L, Guerriero S, Van den Bosch T, Martins WP. Counting ovarian antral follicles by ultrasound: a practical guide. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Jan;51(1):10-20.
3. Rottiers AS, Dalewyn L, Somers S, Alper MM, Sakkas D, Gerris J. Correlation between sonographic follow-up of follicular growth, serum and salivary estradiol in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (IVF/ICSI). Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2018;10(4):173-179.
4. Lin, Hsiao-Chun Amy, et al. Advancing ovarian folliculometry with selective plane illumination microscopy. Scientific reports6.1 (2016): 1-7.