What is the number of anthral follicles?
The number of anthral follicles (AFC), also known as the number of resting follicles, comes out of the number of initial egg follicles in the ovary on the menstrual cycle. Every anthral follicle has the potential to develop into viable eggs for fertilization. Women undergoing fertility treatment have an AFC test level to determine the likelihood of future pregnancy through insets in vitro (IVF). The average fertility woman has between 15 and 20 follicles per cycle, and any result of younger five suggests that the greater degree of difficulty will become pregnant. Transvaginal ultrasound creates an ovarian image and this image is then carefully checked for any visible anthral follicles. Each follicle is labeled manually for scanning and the total number will be recorded in medical graphs.
Testing the number of follicles of anthral follicles can be performed at any day of the menstrual cycle. Some fertility doctors can use anthral folkale counts to predict the number of remaining fertile years of women. Number of folliclesMore than 20 would indicate that the woman has the remaining 15 to 20 fertile years. If a woman has ten or less, she may have about 13 years before menopause.
female ovarian reserve, the amount of potential eggs remaining in its ovaries can be estimated with the number of anthral follicles. More available eggs in reserve indicate a greater possibility of pregnancy after fertility treatment. Fertility specialists usually recommend daily injections of the hormone stimulating follicles (FSH) to support the production of eggs prepared for fertilization.
Women with a low number of follicles of anthral follicles may require a larger amount of FSH injected to form the same amount of eggs as a woman with a high number. Some women may not be able to produce enough eggs even with large doses of FSH. These women may decide to use eggs as part of the IVF process.
Increased dose FSH can mannerIT unpleasant side effects. Many women may develop a slight case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Abdominal pain and a small weight gain are common side effects of injection FSH. Gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting may be accompanied by elevated levels of the circulating FSH in the body.
Some women may experience a serious OHSS reaction after FSH injection to improve the number of follicles of anthral follicles. Severe OHSS can cause extreme weight gain and abdominal bloating from Acites, accumulation of internal fluids in the abdominal cavity. Treatment of this painful condition is limited to rest in bed and administration of intravenous (IV) fluids. Painkillers can be prescribed until the abdominal swelling is reduced.