How many follicles is "good"?

Llamamama

Hi all!  I went to my appt yesterday and my new OB did an ultrasound.  She looked at both ovaries and tapped the screen 3 or 4 times saying "You have a few there" when she looked at the right and said the same thing when she looked at the left.  Is 3 or 4 normal"?  I didn't think to ask for an exact count and I am just curious. 

Mrs.McIrish

What time of the month was she looking?

Llamamama

Mrs.McIrish:

What time of the month was she looking?

Yesterday was CD6.  I am completely clueless when it comes to this stuff.. What can you tell me McIrish? 

Reilly626

I had 4-5 the day after I ovulated (Im not on meds or anything) and my doctor was pleased and said that was normal. (if that helps)

ELF4321

Hmm ... if you had 3-4 on each side, that is not too bad, but if it's 3-4 total, then it could be a sign of DOR.  Ideal is at least 8 total for good success rates. 

My follicle count is 4 or 5 -- that is considered quite low for my age (37) and more equivalent to someone around 40-41.  It is a sign of diminishing ovarian reserve.  I still ovulate regularly, but it's why my RE thought we should jump straight to IVF and skip IUIs. 

Did she also take measurements during the u/s of your ovary size/volume?  Ovary size diminishes with age and relates to follicle count.  Part of my issue is that my right ovary is failing prematurely, and is only half the size of my left with half the follicles -- which means any month I ovulate from the right is pretty much a wash because the eggs on that side are likely to be super-crappy quality.  

It doesn't mean there's no hope, but it does decrease your chances because by the time your body is only producing a few follicles each cycle, the egg quality tends to be poorer too.   I would definitely call back and ask what the actual number was.

This site has some good info about ovarian reserve:  https://www.advancedfertility.com/ovarian-reserve.htm

 

Llamamama

She definitely counted 3 or 4 on each side.. she was tapping the screen as she pointed them out to me on one side and then she moved to the other side and tapped the screen again.

She said that "everything" looked good.  Even said oh your "line" is great.  I was like "Huh?"  She pointed to the screen and said "That is where your baby would be".. She was totally nice about it but it felt weird that I should know what the "line" was.  It did LOOK like a line but I had never heard that term before.. 

ELF4321

Llamamama:

She definitely counted 3 or 4 on each side.. she was tapping the screen as she pointed them out to me on one side and then she moved to the other side and tapped the screen again.

She said that "everything" looked good.  Even said oh your "line" is great.  I was like "Huh?"  She pointed to the screen and said "That is where your baby would be".. She was totally nice about it but it felt weird that I should know what the "line" was.  It did LOOK like a line but I had never heard that term before.. 

 If you had 6-8 follies that she counted, I wouldn't worry too much about it at this point unless You have blood tests that also suggest a DOR issue. 

The ideal uterine lining has a stripe pattern -- that's prob. what she was looking at.  I've never heard it called a "line" before -- so don't feel bad. 

Mrs.McIrish

ELF4321:

Llamamama:

She definitely counted 3 or 4 on each side.. she was tapping the screen as she pointed them out to me on one side and then she moved to the other side and tapped the screen again.

She said that "everything" looked good.  Even said oh your "line" is great.  I was like "Huh?"  She pointed to the screen and said "That is where your baby would be".. She was totally nice about it but it felt weird that I should know what the "line" was.  It did LOOK like a line but I had never heard that term before.. 

 If you had 6-8 follies that she counted, I wouldn't worry too much about it at this point unless You have blood tests that also suggest a DOR issue. 

The ideal uterine lining has a stripe pattern -- that's prob. what she was looking at.  I've never heard it called a "line" before -- so don't feel bad. 

I think 3-4 each side sounds fine.  I thought the stripe only showed up as you were approaching O (lining bulking up for implantation possibility). If you still have 3-4 on each side with no dominant follie, she isn't anywhere close to O. I wouldn't expect a stripe to be there that early. Anyway, I wouldn't worry abuot anything Llama. Is she going to run b/w next month on CD 3 and will she do the HSG for you?

SamsMom11

The ideal amount of follicles can vary depending on what type of cycle you are doing.  3-4 follicles is not optimal when doing IVF but can be if doing Ovulation Induction.  Remember when doing OI all of those follicles could potentially become embryos.  We wouldnt want you joining Octomom.  Things can change as things progress and alot depends on the size of each follicle.

Remember one thing...please...Your OB/GYN or RE, whichever you are seeing are working for you.  If you do not understand something  ASK QUESTIONS!!!  The more informed you are the easier this process will be.  You might want to check out Resolve.  It is an organization that supports women with endometriosis, pregnancy loss and infertility.  The have a very informative web site and some cities have their own chapters.  Be very careful where you get your information on the internet.  There are some "Infertility Specialists" out there that give incorrect and misleading information.

 Hope this helps.

 

Mrs.McIrish

SamsMom11:

The ideal amount of follicles can vary depending on what type of cycle you are doing.  3-4 follicles is not optimal when doing IVF but can be if doing Ovulation Induction.  Remember when doing OI all of those follicles could potentially become embryos.  We wouldnt want you joining Octomom.  Things can change as things progress and alot depends on the size of each follicle.

Remember one thing...please...Your OB/GYN or RE, whichever you are seeing are working for you.  If you do not understand something  ASK QUESTIONS!!!  The more informed you are the easier this process will be.  You might want to check out Resolve.  It is an organization that supports women with endometriosis, pregnancy loss and infertility.  The have a very informative web site and some cities have their own chapters.  Be very careful where you get your information on the internet.  There are some "Infertility Specialists" out there that give incorrect and misleading information.

 Hope this helps.

 

She isn't doing any type of cycle right now. It was just a CD6 ultrasound to look around.

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Llamamama

Mrs.McIrish:

SamsMom11:

The ideal amount of follicles can vary depending on what type of cycle you are doing.  3-4 follicles is not optimal when doing IVF but can be if doing Ovulation Induction.  Remember when doing OI all of those follicles could potentially become embryos.  We wouldnt want you joining Octomom.  Things can change as things progress and alot depends on the size of each follicle.

Remember one thing...please...Your OB/GYN or RE, whichever you are seeing are working for you.  If you do not understand something  ASK QUESTIONS!!!  The more informed you are the easier this process will be.  You might want to check out Resolve.  It is an organization that supports women with endometriosis, pregnancy loss and infertility.  The have a very informative web site and some cities have their own chapters.  Be very careful where you get your information on the internet.  There are some "Infertility Specialists" out there that give incorrect and misleading information.

 Hope this helps.

 

She isn't doing any type of cycle right now. It was just a CD6 ultrasound to look around.

  Exactly this. 

Llamamama

Mrs.McIrish:

ELF4321:

Llamamama:

She definitely counted 3 or 4 on each side.. she was tapping the screen as she pointed them out to me on one side and then she moved to the other side and tapped the screen again.

She said that "everything" looked good.  Even said oh your "line" is great.  I was like "Huh?"  She pointed to the screen and said "That is where your baby would be".. She was totally nice about it but it felt weird that I should know what the "line" was.  It did LOOK like a line but I had never heard that term before.. 

 If you had 6-8 follies that she counted, I wouldn't worry too much about it at this point unless You have blood tests that also suggest a DOR issue. 

The ideal uterine lining has a stripe pattern -- that's prob. what she was looking at.  I've never heard it called a "line" before -- so don't feel bad. 

I think 3-4 each side sounds fine.  I thought the stripe only showed up as you were approaching O (lining bulking up for implantation possibility). If you still have 3-4 on each side with no dominant follie, she isn't anywhere close to O. I wouldn't expect a stripe to be there that early. Anyway, I wouldn't worry abuot anything Llama. Is she going to run b/w next month on CD 3 and will she do the HSG for you?

  She did not suggest doing an b/w and SHE could not order the HSG but said I could call IF and ask for it.  I was skeptical and sure enough its not quite THAT easy.  I called and was told that first I would have to have a consult.. at approx $200 OOP.  Then IF they decided I should have the HSG my copay would be another $480.  Not sure I am ready to spend $700 right now for something that I might not even need. 

Llamamama

ELF4321:

Llamamama:

She definitely counted 3 or 4 on each side.. she was tapping the screen as she pointed them out to me on one side and then she moved to the other side and tapped the screen again.

She said that "everything" looked good.  Even said oh your "line" is great.  I was like "Huh?"  She pointed to the screen and said "That is where your baby would be".. She was totally nice about it but it felt weird that I should know what the "line" was.  It did LOOK like a line but I had never heard that term before.. 

 If you had 6-8 follies that she counted, I wouldn't worry too much about it at this point unless You have blood tests that also suggest a DOR issue. 

The ideal uterine lining has a stripe pattern -- that's prob. what she was looking at.  I've never heard it called a "line" before -- so don't feel bad. 

Thank you ELF!

Llamamama

SamsMom11:

The ideal amount of follicles can vary depending on what type of cycle you are doing.  3-4 follicles is not optimal when doing IVF but can be if doing Ovulation Induction.  Remember when doing OI all of those follicles could potentially become embryos.  We wouldnt want you joining Octomom.  Things can change as things progress and alot depends on the size of each follicle.

Remember one thing...please...Your OB/GYN or RE, whichever you are seeing are working for you.  If you do not understand something  ASK QUESTIONS!!!  The more informed you are the easier this process will be.  You might want to check out Resolve.  It is an organization that supports women with endometriosis, pregnancy loss and infertility.  The have a very informative web site and some cities have their own chapters.  Be very careful where you get your information on the internet.  There are some "Infertility Specialists" out there that give incorrect and misleading information.

 Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the info..    And yes I am learning to ask questions.  I actually emailed my Dr. and asked what she thought about the # of follicles.  She said she thought it looked "normal" for my age... and she also said she thought it was "good".  So I guess that is all I can hope for:  Normal and good! 

SamsMom11

Llamamama:

SamsMom11:

The ideal amount of follicles can vary depending on what type of cycle you are doing.  3-4 follicles is not optimal when doing IVF but can be if doing Ovulation Induction.  Remember when doing OI all of those follicles could potentially become embryos.  We wouldnt want you joining Octomom.  Things can change as things progress and alot depends on the size of each follicle.

Remember one thing...please...Your OB/GYN or RE, whichever you are seeing are working for you.  If you do not understand something  ASK QUESTIONS!!!  The more informed you are the easier this process will be.  You might want to check out Resolve.  It is an organization that supports women with endometriosis, pregnancy loss and infertility.  The have a very informative web site and some cities have their own chapters.  Be very careful where you get your information on the internet.  There are some "Infertility Specialists" out there that give incorrect and misleading information.

 Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the info..    And yes I am learning to ask questions.  I actually emailed my Dr. and asked what she thought about the # of follicles.  She said she thought it looked "normal" for my age... and she also said she thought it was "good".  So I guess that is all I can hope for:  Normal and good! 

You are very welcome.  I worked in RE for over 12 years and was also a patient.  There were never any "dumb questions" and I as well as my coworkers were always more than willing to answer any questions to make patients feel comfortable and well informed.    Wishing you continue being "Normal and Good" and sending fertile thoughts your way!!