Fertility Ultrasound and Women’s Health
Ultrasound and follicle tracking
When your fertility doctor has referred during fertility treatment, ultrasound is frequently used to check the number of follicles in the ovary and their development.
Our highly trained sonographers, are able to provide information on follicle tracking to assist your referring specialist in the management of your fertility treatment.
What are ovarian follicles?
Ovarian follicles are small sacs filled with fluid inside your ovaries that secrete hormones. At puberty, women have between 300,000 – 400,000 follicles.
Each follicle should theoretically contain an egg or oocyte. The oocytes are too small to see, although we know that as the oocyte develops and matures the follicle grows. There are two key factors that increase the chance of pregnancy:
- Follicle count
- Egg quality
What does follicle tracking involve?
Follicle tracking involves scanning the ovaries and tracking the development of the follicles within the ovary from the early immature state to maturity. By following the growth of the follicles, we can help predict when the oocyte is mature, and ovulation will occur.
A combination of ultrasound and blood tests that look at the levels of female hormones can help your fertility doctor pick the best time for intercourse or artificial insemination and assists IVF doctors to perform an egg pick up (oocyte retrieval).
How long does a follicle tracking procedure take and what is involved?
A follicle tracking procedure usually takes about 10-15 minutes. With your consent, follicle tracking scans are usually done with transvaginal ultrasound, as they are less accurate if we can only look transabdominally. You do not need to drink water or have a full bladder for this procedure.
Our highly trained sonographers, are able to provide information on uterine changes and follicle tracking (coming soon) to assist your referring specialist in the management of your fertility treatment.
Pelvic and Ovary Ultrasound
What are the indications or reasons for having a pelvic and trans-vaginal ultrasound?
- as part of your well woman screening
- to investigate gynaecological symptoms such as pelvic pain, irregular periods or other menstrual problems
- to confirm the diagnosis if we suspect you have a condition such as fibroids or ovarian cysts
- to check on your condition if you have been diagnosed with a problem such as fibroids or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that requires monitoring
- to assess your fertility or assist your doctors if you are undergoing fertility treatment at another clinic
Abdominal Pain
Pain may be caused by any organ in the abdomen, and as such is often difficult to determine an exact cause without ultrasound. Discomfort with the onset of a period is normal, but severe pain should be investigated. It could be an indication of conditions such as endometriosis and cysts, these are best diagnosed by a Pelvic Ultrasound.
Abnormal Bleeding
Menstrual bleeding usually occurs every 28 days, although each cycle is different and some may be longer or shorter. At times the cycle may be irregular or bleeding may become heavy. This may be due to a temporary hormonal imbalance but it may also signal a problem in the uterus or ovaries such as fibroids or an endometrial polyp which is a small growth in the lining of the uterus. Polyps can cause heavier periods or unusual bleeding. Most polyps are not cancerous but may become so if not treated.
Fibroids
A fibroid is a benign growth of fibrous muscle tissue which develops in the wall of the uterus. Fibroids range in size from 5mm (the size of a pea) to 150mm (the size of a football). They are very common and are present in up to 30% of women. They generally do not cause any problems and many women go through life with their fibroids unnoticed.
Some women do however run into problems which may include:
- Infertility
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Pain
Infertility may occur as a result of blockage of the fallopian tubes. Such a blockage may prevent the sperm from meeting the egg just before conception or prevent the embryo’s passage toward the uterus. Fertility may also be reduced if the fibroids significantly disrupt the cavity of the uterus. Sonohsyterography or HyCoSY can also assist in determining the fibroid’s effect on the cavity or fallopian tubes.
Irregular bleeding can result due to enlargement or distortion of the uterine cavity by fibroids. A fibroid extending into the cavity can also cause heavy and irregular bleeding.
Obstetrical Anatomy Scan
During your second trimester, at 18 to 20 weeks pregnant, your doctor will request a 40-minute detailed obstetrical ultrasound. Sometimes called an anatomic ultrasound, this exam involves your sonographer taking many measurements of your baby from head-to-toe to determine how well your baby is growing. He or she will capture images to view the development of your baby’s brain, face, heart, spine, chest, major organs, arms, legs, feet, and hands.
Your sonographer will also examine the position of your placenta, the vessels in the umbilical cord, the amount of amniotic fluid, and your cervix, uterus, ovaries, and bladder for abnormalities. It’s also during this exam when the gender of your baby may first be visible – if the baby is in a good position.