Tag: antral follicle count scan timing

If you’re planning for the future, thinking about egg freezing, preparing for IVF or trying to understand your fertility, you may have come across the term antral follicle count, often shortened to AFC. It sounds technical, but an AFC scan is simply an ultrasound scan that counts the small follicles visible in your ovaries. These follicles can help clinicians estimate your ovarian reserve, which means the approximate number of eggs remaining in your ovaries. In this guide, we’ll explain when is the best time to book an AFC scan and why timing can affect the results. Quick facts: What is an antral follicle count (AFC) scan? An antral follicle count, or AFC scan, is a specialist internal ultrasound that counts the number of small follicles visible in the ovaries. Think of it as a snapshot of ovarian activity at a specific point in your cycle. An AFC scan is usually carried out using a transvaginal ultrasound. This involves gently inserting a slim ultrasound probe into the vagina to get a clear view of the ovaries. During the scan, a doctor or sonographer counts the visible antral follicles in each ovary and also assesses the overall appearance of the ovaries and uterus. Antral follicles are small, fluid-filled sacs, usually measuring around 2-10 mm in diameter. Each follicle contains an immature egg, although the scan does not count the eggs themselves. Instead, the number of visible antral follicles gives an indirect indication of your ovarian reserve, the remaining pool of eggs in the ovaries. In general, seeing fewer antral follicles may suggest a lower ovarian reserve, while seeing more may suggest a higher ovarian reserve. However, AFC is not a direct measure of egg quality, and it cannot predict your exact chances of getting pregnant naturally. Your fertility is influenced by many factors, including age, ovulation, egg quality, sperm health, Fallopian tube health, uterine health, hormone levels and medical history. This is why AFC should be interpreted as one part of a wider reproductive health picture, not as a standalone fertility diagnosis. Why do I need an antral follicle count (AFC) scan? An AFC scan may be recommended if you are trying to understand your fertility, preparing for fertility treatment or considering fertility preservation, such as egg freezing. Doctors commonly use AFC to help assess: AFC is particularly useful during fertility treatment because it can help fertility specialists plan medication doses and counsel you about likely responses to ovarian stimulation. However, AFC is just one piece of the fertility puzzle. It should not be used in isolation to make big decisions about your reproductive future. AFC scan vs AMH blood test: what’s the difference? If you have come across both AFC and AMH while researching fertility testing, you might be wondering whether you need one, both, or whether they tell you the same thing. The short answer is that they both help estimate ovarian reserve, but they do it in different ways. AMH, or anti-Müllerian hormone, is a blood test that measures a hormone produced by small follicles (eggs)  in the ovaries. AFC is an ultrasound scan that counts the small follicles (eggs) developing in the ovaries during that cycle.  Both tests can help estimate how your ovaries may respond to fertility medication during IVF or egg freezing. ASRM guidance notes that AMH and AFC have been shown in multiple studies to be broadly equivalent, although each has strengths and limitations.  In practice, many clinicians use AFC and AMH together because they provide different but complementary information. AMH gives a hormone-based estimate of ovarian reserve, while AFC gives a visual assessment of the ovaries and pelvic anatomy. At Hertility, we offer both. AMH is included in our Advanced Hormone & Fertility Test, and our clinical team can arrange a Pelvic Ultrasound Scan that includes an AFC scan as well as assessing the uterus, ovaries and endometrium and interpret both results together, giving you a full, personalised picture of your ovarian reserve rather than a number in isolation. How is an antral follicle count (AFC) scan done? An AFC scan is usually performed as a transvaginal ultrasound, which gives a clearer view of the ovaries than an abdominal scan. A narrow ultrasound probe is covered with a protective sheath and lubricating gel, then gently inserted into the vagina. Most people describe the scan as mildly uncomfortable rather than painful, often similar to the sensation of a smear test. The sonographer slowly scans each ovary from one side to the other, counting the small follicles visible on screen. These often appear as small, dark, round shapes within the ovary. You may be able to see the ultrasound screen during the appointment, and your sonographer can talk you through what they are seeing. The scan typically takes 10 – 20 minutes. As well as counting your follicles, at Hertility, our sonographer will also assess: This means an AFC scan can give more information than follicle count alone. When is the best time to do an AFC scan? The best time to have an AFC scan is usually during the early follicular phase of your menstrual cycle. For most people with regular periods, this means around day 2 to day 7 of the cycle, with cycle day 1 being the first day of proper menstrual flow, not spotting. This early-cycle timing is preferred because the ovaries are usually in a more “baseline” state. At the beginning of the cycle, several small follicles may be visible in the ovaries. As the cycle progresses, one follicle usually becomes dominant and prepares for ovulation. Once a dominant follicle develops, it can become harder to assess the smaller antral follicles clearly. Can you have an AFC scan at any time in your cycle? Yes, in many cases, an AFC scan can still be performed outside the early follicular phase. Your doctor or clinic may recommend scanning at another point in your cycle if: However, if the main reason for the scan is to get the most accurate baseline AFC, the early follicular […]