Monitoring the Female Cycle – Timing is Everything

In every natural cycle, there is only a small window when the egg can be fertilized.

Unfortunately, the body doesn’t follow an app, which in most cases is just a slightly better calendar, but rather its own rhythm.

Through ultrasound-assisted cycle monitoring of the uterus and ovaries, along with hormone analysis, the optimal time for ovulation can be identified, and with it, the perfect day for conception. The fallopian tubes are not visible on ultrasound, but their patency should be clarified in advance.

Cycle monitoring

The first day of the cycle is defined as the day menstruation begins.

Every menstrual cycle is unique, and the timing of ovulation fluctuates from cycle to cycle.

To better understand your cycle, you can start by narrowing down this timing using temperature measurements or urine sticks from the pharmacy.

Cycle monitoring, where both ultrasound and hormone analyses are used, is much more precise:

At the beginning of the cycle, ovarian cysts are ruled out, as they could disrupt the cycle or later appear on the ultrasound as follicles (egg sacs).

Additionally, the thickness of the endometrium (uterine lining) is measured during its development. An optimal thickness is 8–12 mm.

If the endometrium is not thick enough, an estrogen deficiency may be present. In such cases, an individualized hormone plan can help optimize the thickness of the endometrium.

Once the first phase of follicular growth is complete, ovulation can be actively triggered using a hormone, improving the timing of egg and sperm fertilization.

Second Phase of the Cycle (After Ovulation)

In the second phase of the cycle, after ovulation, progesterone levels are measured multiple times.

Many women with unfulfilled fertility describe spotting during the second phase of their cycle.

This is almost always due to a deficiency in progesterone (corpus luteum hormone).

As part of cycle monitoring, progesterone can be supplemented orally or vaginally, following a specific plan to reliably compensate for such a deficiency.