Clarifying Egg and Follicle Differences in Fertility

Understanding the distinction between eggs and follicles is crucial. Follicles on ultrasound don't guarantee good egg quality or fertility. Active ovulation doesn't ensure high-quality eggs, and age affects egg viability. Accurate assessment happens during egg retrieval, not with scans.

Common Misconceptions

Many women lack comprehensive knowledge about fertility issues and IVF. Assumptions include believing that ovulation ensures the production of high-quality eggs and guarantees pregnancy.

Reality Check

Active ovulation does not always correlate with good egg quality. Ultrasound scans showing follicle growth can mistakenly suggest egg quality.

Challenges with Age

This is particularly relevant for older women, where follicles may not contain eggs or produce mature ones. Not all follicles yield eggs suitable for fertilisation.

Limitations of Ultrasound Scans

Scans provide only a shadow image of follicles, not eggs. The actual assessment of eggs occurs post-retrieval in an ART lab under microscopic analysis.

Importance of the Egg Retrieval Process

Eggs' presence and quality are confirmed during retrieval, not through scans. Empty follicles or poor egg quality are possible despite a healthy follicle appearance.

Caution in Medical Guidance

IVF professionals must avoid misleading patients based solely on ultrasound results. Accurate evaluation of eggs is crucial post-retrieval by embryologists in a lab setting.

Conclusion

Understanding that follicles do not always contain viable eggs and that healthy follicles do not guarantee good egg quality is essential to managing fertility expectations. IVF success hinges on accurate assessment during the retrieval process, not preliminary scans.

Frequently Asked Questions