Ultrasound Scans for Fertility
Evaluating the Uterus and Ovaries
1. What does the examination involve?
During the ultrasound, the following are determined:
✓ Evaluation of the uterus: shape and size
✓ Evaluation of the ovaries: shape and size
✓ Evaluation of the endometrium: structure and thickness
✓ Detection of developmental abnormalities of the uterus
✓ Detection of fibroids or signs of endometriosis
✓ Detection of endometrial polyps or of the cervical canal
Assessment of Ovarian Reserve
1. Why should the ovarian reserve be assessed?
All women who are planning a pregnancy if at least one of the following factors is present:
• Woman's age after 30 years
• Operations on the ovaries (removal of an ovary or part of it)
• Early onset of menopause in mother, grandmother, or sister
• Infertility
• Planning of IVF procedure, or artificial insemination
• Before treating oncological diseases
• Smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day
• Working with occupational hazards (pesticides, plastics, etc.)
Determining ovarian reserve allows obtaining answers to the most intriguing questions of every woman who dreams of becoming a mother, such as:
✓ Will I be able to conceive naturally or is it better to immediately prepare for IVF?
✓ How many years will I still be able to conceive a child naturally?
✓ What is the estimated time of menopause?
✓ Do I have enough time, or is it time to actively prepare for motherhood?
2. How is ovarian reserve assessed?
The main role in assessing a woman's reproductive potential and the possible response to hormonal stimulation belongs to ultrasound.
At the beginning of the menstrual cycle (3-5 days from the onset of menstruation), a transvaginal ultrasound is performed to determine the volume of the ovaries and count the number of antral follicles (NFA) in both ovaries.
A decrease in ovarian reserve can be stated in the case of ovaries smaller than 3 cm³, and the total NFA in both ovaries is less than 5.
3. Is performing only an ultrasound enough to accurately assess ovarian reserve?
No. To more accurately determine a woman's fertility potential, the levels of the following hormones should additionally be determined: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). These tests can be performed at Alternativa Clinic on the day of the ultrasound.
Assessment of the uterus, ovaries and ovarian reserve
Price 350-400 MDL
• Ultrasound evaluation of the antral follicle count (AFC)
• Value of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on day 3-5 of the menstrual cycle (CM)
• Value of AMH (Anti-Mullerian hormone)
• Reproductive medicine specialist consultation
• Calculating ovarian reserve score
• Predicting ovarian response to ovarian stimulation
• Recommendations for improving ovarian reserve