Q- Why is ultrasound done?
- To look for any disease in uterus, ovaries, tubes and pelvis – Which may cause Infertility.
- Done to asses uterus for size position Anteverted (anterior tilting)/ Retroverted (posterior tilting) Endometrial thickness (thickness of the uterine lining), Myometrium, cervix.
- In Ovaries to look for size, volume and follicular number.
- To look for any fluid in the pelvis (lower abdomen) which indicates infection or pelvic tuberculosis.
Q- How is it done?
- It is done by two methods TAS (Transabdominal scan) TVS (Transvaginal scan) – TAS is done with full bladder abdominally: It is preferred in patients who have vaginismis, enlarged uterus or other pelvic masses.
- TVS is done after emptying bladder by inserting probe gently inside vagina. It is mostly preferred over TAS as it provides a clear view of the uterus, ovaries and other pelvic structure.
Q- When it is done?
- It is done usually with respect to fertility assessment on D2, D9 and D21.
- D2 USG (2nd day of the menstrual cycle) is done to look for Antral Follicular Count (AFC) which predicts the fetility potential of the ovary and its response to treatment. Normal Antral Follicular Count (AFC) is 5-10 in each ovary of the size 2-9mm. -To look for any cysts (follicular, corpus luteal) from the previous menstrual cycle, endometrioma, dermoid cyst.
- D9 USG (9th day of the menstrual cycle) is done to look for Endometrial lining which is usually triple layered with good blood flow on using color Doppler, which indicates adequate Endometrial receptivity.
- D21 USG (21st day of the menstrual cycle) to look for secretory changes in Endometrium.