Understanding Follicles
Inside your ovaries are tiny sacs called follicles, and each of them has the potential to develop into a mature egg. Every month, a few follicles start growing, but usually only one matures and gets released during ovulation. Those that do not progress in development are eventually reabsorbed, completing the natural cycle. This natural selection process is also how your egg reserve slowly reduces over time.What Happens in PCOD?
In Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), the hormonal signals that guide ovulation don’t work as they should. Instead of releasing one mature egg each month:- The ovaries produce several immature eggs that don’t get released.
- These eggs turn into small cysts, which can disrupt your periods.
- This hormonal imbalance affects ovulation and makes conception harder.
What is a Follicular Scan?
A follicular scan is a vaginal ultrasound that tracks the development of follicles in your ovaries. It helps determine when a mature egg is about to be released, making it easier to plan intercourse or assisted treatments.Here’s what the scan does:
- Monitors how follicles are growing over time.
- It tells you exactly when your egg is mature and ready to be released.
- Confirms whether ovulation has occurred by detecting the corpus luteum (a structure that forms after ovulation).
How Does the Scan Work?
At the beginning of your menstrual cycle, a follicle starts to develop. Your doctor will track its growth through a series of scans. As it reaches about 1.8 to 2.5 cm, it’s considered mature and ready to release the egg.The follicle breaks open and releases the egg into the fallopian tube, your body’s way of getting ready for possible pregnancy. If sperm is around, fertilisation can take place. A scan can also check if ovulation really happened by looking for the corpus luteum.
Why is This Important for PCOD?
For people with PCOD, tracking ovulation based on cycle dates can be unreliable. Follicular scans help provide clarity. They can:- Pinpoint the exact time of ovulation
- Help time intercourse or assisted treatments like IUI or IVF
- Detect if ovulation is not happening (anovulation)
- Spot any issues in follicle growth or release
When Should You Get a Follicular Scan?
The first scan usually starts around day 9 of your cycle. From there, your doctor will schedule follow-up scans every few days to see how things are progressing. Since cycles in PCOD are often irregular, this monitoring might continue till around day 20 or longer.In total, you may need 4 to 6 scans per cycle. Each one takes about 5 to 10 minutes. The scan is generally not painful, although the vaginal probe may feel slightly uncomfortable.
What the Scan Can and Can’t Do
What it can do:- Confirm if ovulation is occurring
- Tell you when to try for pregnancy
- Help with planning assisted reproductive treatments
- Judge egg or sperm quality
- Confirm fertilisation
- Assess the health of the uterus or uterine lining
FAQs on How Follicular Scans Help Track Ovulation in People with PCOD
- How can a follicular scan help people with PCOD?
If your cycle is unpredictable, follicular scans can track egg development and tell you exactly when you are ovulating. This information is helpful whether you’re planning natural conception or going through fertility treatment. - Do I need a follicular scan every month?
Not always. These scans are usually recommended when you’re actively trying to conceive or when your doctor wants to assess ovulation. The number of scans you need will depend on your individual case - What is the best time to get a follicular scan?
It usually happens sometime between day 9 and day 20 of your cycle. Your doctor figures this out by counting from the first day of your last period.
