Too many follicles

[Kate9423]

Hi all

I'm 32 years old and TTC for the first time.

I suspect I have PCOS, but the only symptom would be the excess hair growth.

I have regular periods with confirmed ovulation etc.

I had a private fertility scan which showed 20 follicles on the left and 12 follicles on the right.

My AMH levels were 6.3

Different places say it could indicate PCOS but it doesn't affect my cycle if so.

My question is, has anyone been told that you can have too many follicles? Or am I panicking that there's too many and it'll cause problems? 🤦🏽‍♀️

Hi OP,

Are you able to discuss the results with a clinician at the place you did the test? I think that would be helpful, as they should be able to interpret them for you.

Have you started TTC already and have been having issues? (is this what triggered you to have the scan?)

I can only speak from my own experience but will share in case it is helpful. I am in a similar situation to you in that I also have a relatively high number of follicles on each ovary (detected via scan) and they are therefore "polycystic" by definition, but I do not really fit other criteria for PCOS diagnosis. I have long but fairly regular cycles, and do ovulate as confirmed via test. I was concerned before TTC about the follicles, however as it happens we ended up conceiving on our first cycle, using ovulation tracking. Discussing this with the Dr after, it sounds like the presence of the follicles alone is not necessarily cause for concern if ovulation is still occurring, it is rather that in some cases the presence of follicles goes hand in hand with anovulation. I would definitely discuss this with your Dr though, and see what they advise, as if I have learnt anything it is that every body is different and unique when it comes to fertility!

Wishing you the best of luck on your TTC journey!

Thanks so much for that, I appreciate you sharing!

I had the scan for peace of mind following 5 years on the mirena coil.

We've been trying for 3 cycles post removal, heading into our 4th and my period and ovulation etc is all normal with confirmed ovulation using bbt/general body signs.

I'm just impatient and anxious about being a complete dud. I fully appreciate that stats would say to be patient etc, but factors like high follicle count etc clearly only add to the frustration.

@Kate9423 I was on the pill for almost 10 years and when I first came off I didn't have a period for 9 months which was very stressful. This is what prompted me to go and have a scan, and in the interim luckily my period reappeared!

It does sound positive though if you're ovulating regularly, even though it's frustrating it's not happened yet. Maybe look at getting some bloods done if you can? I had my hormone levels checked in conjunction with the follicles being found (luckily they came back normal) - could put your mind at rest/pick up anything early x