Ultrasound plays a crucial role in fertility treatments in several ways:
1. Monitoring Ovulation:
Ultrasound can track the growth of ovarian follicles, helping doctors determine when a woman is likely to ovulate. This is important for timing procedures like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or timed intercourse.
2. Follicle Count:
Ultrasound can count the number of developing follicles in the ovaries. This information is vital for assessing ovarian reserve and response to fertility medications.
3. Guiding Procedures:
During procedures such as egg retrieval for in vitro fertilization (IVF), ultrasound provides real-time imaging to guide the needle into the ovaries.
4. Assessing Uterine Health:
Ultrasound helps evaluate the uterus for conditions like fibroids, polyps, or structural abnormalities that may affect fertility or implantation.
5. Pregnancy Confirmation:
After fertility treatment, ultrasound confirms pregnancy and checks for multiple pregnancies or early signs of complications.
Overall, ultrasound is a non-invasive, valuable tool in fertility treatments, providing essential information for both diagnosis and management of infertility.