What does follicular activity mean?
http://womenshealth.about.com/od/womenshealthglossary/g/follicular_phas.htm
follecular stimulating hormone stimulating the development of follecle from which ovule is released
Follicular activity refers to the reproductive process in females, specifically the development and maturation of follicles in the ovaries. Follicles are small sacs within the ovaries that contain developing eggs. Each month, during the menstrual cycle, multiple follicles start to grow, but usually only one follicle becomes dominant and matures.
To understand follicular activity in more detail, it is important to learn about the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is divided into different phases: the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is the first phase and starts on the first day of menstruation.
To track follicular activity, one can use various methods:
1. Menstrual Cycle Tracking: Keep a record of your menstrual cycle by noting the first day of menstruation each month. This can help you approximate the length of your follicular phase, which typically lasts around 14 days.
2. Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Measuring your BBT (your body's lowest temperature at rest) every morning before getting out of bed can help identify your ovulation pattern. A slight increase in BBT indicates that ovulation has occurred and the follicular phase has ended.
3. Ovulation Predictor Kits: These kits detect the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) levels that occurs prior to ovulation. By monitoring LH levels using urine or saliva tests, you can predict when follicular activity is at its peak.
4. Ultrasound Monitoring: Under the guidance of a healthcare professional, transl ultrasound scans can provide a visual assessment of the follicles within the ovaries. This allows the observation of follicular growth and helps determine the dominant follicle.
Understanding follicular activity is particularly important for individuals trying to conceive or seeking fertility treatments. It helps identify the fertile window—the days when fertilization is most likely to occur, generally around the time of ovulation. Additionally, monitoring follicular activity can provide valuable information about a woman's reproductive health and any potential issues with ovulation or egg development.