Patient's question:
Why are there follicles but no ovulation?Doctor's answer:
Hello, estrogen (E2) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in sex hormones play a certain role during ovulation.When E2 is normal and the follicle size is also normal, with a peak LH and a low P value, it is an ideal ovulation condition, and ovulation can occur 24–36 hours after the LH peak appears. Below are the factors that can cause follicular development and ovulation disorders:
1. If E2 is low, while ultrasound shows the follicle is greater than or equal to 1.8 cm, it may be considered immature follicle or a "empty follicle."
2. If E2 is normal, but the follicle is less than or equal to 1.6 cm, it may indicate recent ovulation or the development of multiple small follicles, with the possibility of being missed.
3. If E2 is normal, the follicle is greater than or equal to 1.8 cm, and no LH peak appears, it suggests a disorder in the gonadotropic axis feedback mechanism or an immature follicle.
4. If E2 is excessively high, it can also predict the occurrence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
5. If the follicle is less than or equal to 1.4 cm, and LH or P has already risen, it indicates premature luteinization of the follicle.
6. When P is greater than 2 μg/L, it suggests the uterine implantation window has closed, reducing the chances of blastocyst implantation.
Finally, measuring E2 and P during the luteal phase helps assess luteal function, with the most accurate results obtained 6–7 days after ovulation. During the luteal peak, if P is too low (