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Cycle monitoring
Cycle monitoring assesses your menstrual cycle and fertility to help you find the best time to conceive
What is cycle monitoring?
Cycle monitoring is a process that is used to monitor your menstrual cycle and determine when you ovulate (release an egg from your ovary).
It is normally used to help couples who are trying to conceive (get pregnant) by identifying the best days of the month to have sex. Cycle monitoring is also an important part of fertility treatment and helps determine the optimal time for frozen embryo transfer during In-vitro fertilisation (IVF), or the insertion of sperm into your uterus during Intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Cycle monitoring is carried out over several cycles and combines regular transvaginal ultrasound scans, blood, urine, post-coital and sperm tests to build an accurate picture of your natural cycle, fertility and the best time to conceive.
Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss private cycle monitoring with a consultant of your choice at Circle Health Group.
This page explains what cycle monitoring is, why you may benefit from cycle monitoring and what happens during the treatment.
How much does cycle monitoring cost?
The cost of cycle monitoring will differ from person to person, because the process has many elements and our approach will be tailored to your individual needs.
If you are paying for your own fertility treatment, you will typically be given a fixed-price package based on your personalised treatment plan. This will be confirmed in writing before you book.
If you have private health insurance, fertility treatment – including cycle monitoring – may be covered by your policy. Speak to your provider to find out.
Why might I benefit from cycle monitoring?
Your consultant may recommend cycle monitoring if you are trying to get pregnant and would like to increase your chances. It can also be used to help couples with fertility problems as part of fertility treatment.
Cycle monitoring gives your consultant a clear overview of your menstrual cycle and fertility and allows them to identify the days on which you are most likely to conceive.
Cycle monitoring can help to identify:
- Whether you are producing eggs (ovulating)
- The days when you are ovulating
- Your hormone levels throughout your cycle
- Whether your ovarian follicles (fluid-filled sacs that contain an egg) are growing
- Whether your endometrium (the lining of your uterus) is preparing for implantation of an embryo, either naturally or as part of fertility treatment
- How thick your endometrium is
What to expect at your initial consultation
At your first consultation, you will be seen by a fertility consultant or a consultant gynaecologist.
Your consultant will ask you about your general health, medical and family history, and any medications you take regularly. They will talk to you about your reasons for wanting to undergo cycle monitoring and what you hope to achieve from the treatment. They may perform a physical examination. If you have a partner you are trying to conceive with, they will want to speak to both of you.
Your first appointment is important as it’s where you’ll meet your consultant, the doctor responsible for your care. Your consultant will take time to get to know you, discuss your expectations for treatment and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. At Circle Health Group, we want you to be as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your cycle monitoring treatment, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.
At the end of your appointment, your consultant will decide if cycle monitoring is a suitable treatment for you based on your age, general health and expectations for treatment. They will explain what cycle monitoring involves including how to prepare for your treatment and what to expect during your recovery.
What happens during cycle monitoring?
During cycle monitoring, your consultant will monitor you during three stages of your menstrual cycle; menstruation, the days leading up to ovulation, and ovulation.
Your first cycle monitoring treatment will usually be between day two and day five of your menstrual period. During your appointment, your consultant will perform a transvaginal ultrasound to check how many follicles you have in your ovaries and whether they are growing. To have a normal chance of conceiving, you should have between six and ten follicles that are between two and ten milimetres in size and grow to around 20 milimetres. Your consultant will use the results of this appointment to decide when you need to have your next appointment to monitor ovulation.
Your next appointment is usually between seven and 12 days after your first appointment and you’ll need to return to be monitored every few days leading up to ovulation. During ovulation, you will be monitored every day.
During your cycle monitoring, you or your partner will have a series of tests and scans to assess your fertility, general health and determine when you are ovulating. These may include:
Hormone tests
These are blood tests that measure levels of the female fertility hormones Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinising Hormone (LH), and Estradiol (E2) and are used to assess your fertility
Blood tests
Other blood tests may include a test to confirm you are immune to rubella (German measles). If you’re not immune, you’ll need to be vaccinated before any treatment. You may also have blood tests such as a full blood count, blood group, antibody screening and haemoglobin electrophoresis (a blood test that detects different types of haemoglobin).
Transvaginal ultrasound scan
Uses high-frequency soundwaves to create images of your uterus and ovaries to check for abnormalities and identify ovulation
Urine tests
When your follicles are growing well, your consultant will ask you to start testing your urine each morning to check for a sudden increase in luteinising hormone (LH). This surge in LH will trigger ovulation. On the morning your urine test shows a surge in luteinising hormone (LH), call the hospital to arrange a postcoital test (PCT) for the following morning. Have sex four to ten hours before your PCT and don’t have a bath before your post-coital test (you can have a shower)
Post-coital test
This test involves taking a sample of cervical fluid from your vagina to detect any abnormalities in sperm or vaginal mucus.
Semen analysis (sperm tests)
Measures the quality and quantity of sperm to assess male fertility and identify any issues that may be affecting your chances of conceiving.
What is a transvaginal ultrasound?
Ultrasound scanning uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images that your consultant can use to examine your internal organs. A transvaginal ultrasound uses a narrow probe (the width of a tampon) called a transducer that is inserted into your vagina to examine your pelvic area. The procedure is painless and takes around 20 to 40 minutes.
Why choose Circle Health Group for cycle monitoring?
At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:
- Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
- The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
- Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
- Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
- Private ensuite rooms as standard
- A range of delicious healthy meals
- Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
- Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care
If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about cycle monitoring, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.
Clinical review and sources
- Transvaginal ultrasound scan Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
- Natural Cycle Monitoring Fertility Plus
- Transvaginal ultrasound Medline Plus
