Cycle monitoring: Cycle observation at the gynecologist

Have you ever observed your menstrual cycle using the basal temperature curve and the cervical mucus (symptothermal method) ? Then you have basically already carried out a cycle observation yourself. A more precise method is the so-called cycle monitoring, which you carry out together with your gynecologist. This requires three to four appointments in the course of your cycle, in which blood is drawn from you and your uterus is examined by ultrasound.

What is cycle monitoring for?

During cycle monitoring, your gynecologist pays particular attention to whether your menstrual cycle is regular, whether ovulation is taking place and whether the lining of the uterus is ready for implantation of an egg that may be fertilized later. Monitoring the cycle can help with the following points:

• Cycle monitoring helps to determine the exact date of your ovulation. This way you can better plan with your partner when you should have sexual intercourse in order to conceive a child naturally.
• In artificial insemination, too, cycle monitoring is used to determine the date of ovulation. This way your doctor will know when to remove the matured egg cells and use them for artificial insemination . The time of ovulation is then often even influenced by hormone treatment in order to achieve better planning and higher chances of success.
• It can be used to diagnose possible fertility problems, such as hormonal imbalances and problems with egg formation, maturation and implantation. Once such blockages in conception have been diagnosed, your doctor can discuss how to proceed with you.

What happens during cycle monitoring?

Three to four appointments with the gynecologist are necessary for cycle monitoring. He measures the hormone level in your blood and uses ultrasound to examine your uterus. The following takes place in the investigations:

• First examination : The cycle observation starts on the third to fifth day of your menstrual cycle. First, your ovaries and uterus are examined with an ultrasound. Your hormone levels will also be analyzed in a blood test. Your doctor will pay particular attention to your estrogen and LH levels. Both hormones are particularly important for egg cell maturation.
• Second examination: The second examination takes place between the tenth and twelfth day. The measurement of the hormone level and the ultrasound provide information about whether the maturation process of the egg cell was successful and ovulation is imminent. Now your gynecologist can also use the ultrasound to assess how your cervical mucus has built up and whether the cervix is ​​ready for sperm to pass through.
• Third examination : In a third examination, the hormone level is measured again. The corpus luteum hormone, also known as progesterone, is particularly important here. The progesterone level is used to prove ovulation. It is also important for possible fertilization of the egg cell and supports the implantation of the egg cell in the lining of the uterus and the successful continuation of a pregnancy.

Further information

Cycle monitoring is often the prelude to further fertility treatments or diagnostic procedures. You can read more about fertility disorders and what options there are for action in our sections “ Infertility ” and “ Artificial Insemination ”. You can find more tips about your menstrual cycle and natural family planning in our “Getting pregnant” section.