QuestionHello.
I am going through my first round of natural fertility treatment. I take progesterone during ovulation until 14 days past. My RE was monitoring my growing follicle and blood levels every other day from day 2 of my period. During my last appointment, my follicle shrunk from 23 to 21, but my blood levels were conclusive with ovulation. They said they like to see follicles shrink at least 5mm to be sure an egg was released. Is there still a chance I could have released an egg even though my follicle shrunk just 2mm when they last measured? Or did they check too soon? How long does it take for a follicle to shrink after it releases an egg?
AnswerHello Jacquie from the U.S. (Pennsylvania),
In general, if a patient is being followed for ovulation, ultrasound is done each day after the trigger date (HCG or positive OPK). Then if you continue to follow on a daily basis, the ovulated follicle will disappear. The difference in sizes that you noted could be just the variance that can be found on ultrasound (there is a margin of error).
Hope that helps.
Good Luck,
Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf. Skype and internet comprehensive consultations now available via my website for those who want a more extensive evaluation that this site can accommodate
