Question
Right Ovary 1 & 2
Hi,
Yesterday I had a pelvic ultrasound. I saw what I thought were follicles on my right ovary. They were round/oval and black, like black holes or discs. There was one really big one and one a little smaller. I thought the sonographer/dr said they were follicles and that I will ovulate from that ovary. As I was not due for ovulation yet I also thought they would be follicles. This afternoon I did a home LH test, this was positive (though negative yesterday). The LH test fits in with when I think I might ovulate (tonight or tomorrow). However, I just read the report from the ultrasound and it says nothing about seeing a dominant follicle but it does say a corpus luteum was present in the same ovary where I saw the follicles. I'm really confused as I know a corpus luteum is what is there after the egg has left. Have I already ovulated and is the LH test also wrong? Or does the dr who reported on the ultrasound have the wrong terminology. He is not a specialist.
Thank you for your advice.
AnswerHi Penny,
Thanks for the picture that is really cool. The decision on whether or not to call a cystic structure in the ovary a "follicle" versus a "corpus luteum cyst" is dependent on when in the cycle the ultrasound is done. Follicle is usually in the first half of the cycle (up to cycle day # 16) and corpus luteum is after that in the second half of the cycle. So based on your description, the doctor interpreting the ultrasound is probably using the wrong terminology.
Sincerely,
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.
