Follicle Size
How Follicle Size Affects the Ability to Conceive
As more and more couples struggle through fertility issues, the effect that follicle size has on conception is becoming common knowledge. Knowing what is considered normal and how your body will change is an important tool while trying to have a baby.
A woman begins life with nearly 1,000,000 ovarian follicles. Inside each of them is a collection of cells surrounding an immature egg or ovum. As that girl grows, she will lose almost half of them to body absorption throughout her childhood. Approaching puberty and beginning menstruation, that girl has roughly 400,000 ovarian follicles left.
As a girl or woman has her monthly cycle, between 10 and 20 of those follicles will begin to grow. Usually only one reaches the proper follicle size to trigger the release of the egg. The rest are harmlessly absorbed into the body.
Follicle growth happens when a drop in estrogen ends up signaling your pituitary gland to release something called the Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (or FSH). The follicles will respond to that hormone and start to grow.
Once your follicles have reached a certain stage of maturity, generally 10 to 18mm, they will send a signal to release the Lutenizing Hormone (or LH) which tells the follicle to release the mature egg inside. Studies have shown that when follicles under 15mm in size release their egg it is not likely to result in pregnancy.
As ovulation approaches, the follicle essentially reaches out to the ovary. It secretes estrogen and once the follicle and ovary meet, they both open to facilitate the exchange of the egg. Afterwards the follicle is either absorbed into the body as an empty vessel or used to produce necessary hormones in the case of pregnancy. Follicles play an extremely important role in the process of conception, from delivery to nurturing.
There are many things that can affect a woman’s ability to conceive. Sometimes the hormone balance is off and the FSH or the LH is not properly secreted. This will result in a lack of communication and a break in the system. Other times the required follicle size is not reached and so the transfer from the follicle to the ovary cannot be completed well.
Thankfully there is medication available to help with both of those circumstances. Some prescriptions will assist your body in the ovulation stages, bringing a balance to your hormones. Others will ensure that the follicles reach optimum size, again usually by controlling the release of hormones at proper times. In all of these cases, you will need to be sure that sex happens at certain times and frequencies to allow for conception.
Some claim that natural lifestyle changes can also help to balance your hormone levels, which will help communication within your reproductive system. This should assist in reaching the required follicle size as well help the timing of the egg release. Regular cardiovascular exercise will increase and improve blood flow throughout your body, specifically helpful within your ovaries. Acupuncture massage claims to have a similar effect. Also cleansing your body naturally from harmful things like xenoestrogen (which is the culprit in many female reproduction disorders) can help. Strengthening your diet by reducing sodium and caffeine intake for healthier kidneys may also help.
There is a danger of developing a follicular cyst if the follicle grows too large and does not release the egg (allowing a signal for absorption to be released). Fortunately, follicular cysts often dissolve or disappear within a short period of time, usually within days or sometimes months.
Many women and the men in their lives are educating themselves on the important role that follicle size has in conception. Work at maintaining good health, visit your doctor or fertility specialist and investigate all of your options. Realize that “normal” is not the same as “necessary” and best of luck on your journey.