What Is Follicle Monitoring? A Guide to Fertility Ultrasounds
Learn what happens during a follicle monitoring ultrasound and how ultrasound can help track follicular development for IVF, IUI, and natural cycle tracking.
Austin Imaging and Lab
10/3/20262 min read
What Is Follicle Monitoring?
Follicle monitoring is an important part of many fertility treatment cycles, including IVF and IUI. At Austin Imaging and Lab, we also provide follicle monitoring for individuals and couples who are tracking their natural cycles for family planning.
What Happens During a Follicle Monitoring Ultrasound?
Follicle monitoring is performed using a transvaginal ultrasound, which provides detailed imaging of the ovaries, developing follicles, and endometrium.
During the examination, our registered sonographers:
• Take 2–3 measurements of the endometrium (uterine lining)
• Evaluate each ovary
• Measure developing follicles in their largest image using two measurements
• Document the measurements so they can be compared with future examinations
Because follicles change as they develop, measurements from multiple ultrasounds can be compared to track their growth throughout the cycle.
Why Is Follicle Monitoring Used for IVF and IUI?
For patients undergoing IVF, follicle monitoring allows the fertility team to follow follicular development throughout the treatment cycle and determine when the follicles are ready for the next stage of treatment, including retrieval.
For IUI, monitoring can provide information about follicular development and the timing of ovulation. Depending on the individual's treatment plan, monitoring may involve more than one ultrasound during a cycle.
Your fertility provider will use the ultrasound findings along with other information about your treatment cycle to determine the next steps.
Can Follicle Monitoring Be Used for Natural Cycle Tracking?
Yes. Follicle monitoring isn't limited to IVF and IUI.
Some individuals and couples choose ultrasound monitoring while tracking their natural cycles and trying to better understand the timing of ovulation.
By monitoring developing follicles and the endometrium over time, ultrasound can provide additional information about follicular development and where someone may be in their cycle. A dominant (lead) follicle can also be monitored as it develops.
How Often Will I Need an Ultrasound?
The number of follicle monitoring ultrasounds needed can vary depending on your fertility treatment or individual cycle. Your fertility provider may request multiple examinations so that follicular development can be tracked over time.
Some patients may come in for several ultrasounds during a single cycle.
Do I Need an Order?
If you are working with a fertility provider, you can bring your ultrasound order with you, or your provider's office can email or fax the order to Austin Imaging and Lab.
For patients who are self-referring for cycle monitoring, we can provide the ultrasound measurements and results; however, these fertility monitoring studies are not sent to a radiologist for interpretation. Patients who self-refer should have an appropriate healthcare provider available to interpret the findings in the context of their individual fertility or family-planning goals.
How Quickly Will I Receive My Results?
We understand that timing can be especially important during fertility monitoring.
We provide STAT results, typically within one hour after the examination. Results can be sent by fax or email, allowing patients and their fertility providers to receive the information promptly.
Why Choose Austin Imaging and Lab for Follicle Monitoring?
Our registered sonographers perform follicle monitoring regularly and understand the importance of obtaining consistent measurements from one examination to the next.
We offer fertility and follicle monitoring ultrasound services at three convenient Central Texas locations:
Austin
11183 Circle Drive, STE C
Austin, TX 78737
San Marcos
2410 Hunter Rd, STE 102
San Marcos, TX 78666
Round Rock
1311 Chisholm Trail Rd, #201
Round Rock, TX 78681
If you have questions about follicle monitoring, scheduling, or whether this service may be right for your fertility or cycle-tracking needs, contact Austin Imaging and Lab at 512-662-3621
