Cycle Monitoring

Cycle monitoring involves three main stages of analysis; monitoring menstruation, monitoring your ovaries in the time leading up to ovulation, and then monitoring ovulation. During menstruation, the doctor will determine when you will need to return to monitor ovulation. During ovulation, you will need to visit the doctor daily.

How does cycle monitoring work?

Cycle monitoring is a natural process that is used to get an accurate overview of when you ovulate. It will allow your fertility doctor to help you to determine the optimal days of the month to have sex, or the best time for IVF or IUI. It will be carried out over several cycles.

Cycle monitoring requires a lot of emotional commitment as you will need to visit your doctor very regularly. However, after cycle monitoring, your fertility doctor will be able to provide you with accurate advice or treatment to increase your chances of pregnancy quickly.

What to expect during cycle monitoring

Cycle monitoring involves three main stages of analysis; monitoring menstruation, monitoring your ovaries in the time leading up to ovulation, and then monitoring ovulation. During menstruation, the doctor will determine when you will need to return to monitor ovulation. During ovulation, you will need to visit the doctor daily.

The process of cycle monitoring will start at the beginning of menstruation. You will be asked to visit your doctor on one of the first days during your cycle. During this appointment, the doctor will take a look at the follicles in your ovary to see if any are starting to grow at this stage. It is also important to check how many follicles you have. Your follicles will be checked by vaginal ultrasound. Taking blood samples is an essential part of treatment during cycle monitoring, so your doctor will take blood work at each appointment.

Depending on the length of your cycle, you will need to return to the doctor somewhere between 7-12 days after your first appointment. You will be monitored every few days leading up to ovulation and then you will be required to visit the doctor every day during ovulation.

What is the doctor looking for?

During cycle monitoring, the doctor will be looking for healthy follicle behaviour to determine your chances of conception. Ovaries with a normal chance of pregnancy have between 6-10 follicles that measure between 2-10mm. The follicles should grow to around 20mm for healthy ovulation. This, alongside regular hormone levels, indicates a good possibility of conceiving.

Cycle monitoring can be used as a stand-alone treatment to help you to have sex with your partner at times you are most likely to conceive. It can also be used as part of your overall IVF or IUI treatment plan, to determine the best time for insemination.