Why Ultrasound Can Be a Vital Step on Your Fertility Journey

Patricia Cullen, Founder and Clinical Lead Sonographer of Ova Scan, explains why a fertility-focused ultrasound can offer clarity, helping women better understand their bodies whether they are trying to conceive naturally or preparing for treatment.

I recently had the opportunity to speak at the Future Fertility Show in Dublin this March. It was one of those rare spaces where clinical knowledge meets real-life questions, and where women are actively looking for clarity rather than guesswork.

My talk focused on something I see every day in practice: how ultrasound can play a very practical role in optimising fertility, whether you are trying naturally or preparing for treatment abroad.

One of the biggest gaps I see is that many women begin trying to conceive without a clear picture of what is happening in their own body. We are often told to “just try for a year”, but in reality, there is a lot we can assess much earlier that can either reassure you or guide you.

A fertility-focused ultrasound is not just a quick look. It is about understanding your baseline. How many follicles are present in the ovaries, as these are what contain the eggs. What the uterus looks like structurally. And importantly, whether there are any factors that could be quietly affecting your chances.

Timing is another key piece.

A mid-cycle scan can be incredibly useful in identifying if and when you are ovulating. This matters more than many women realise. Many assume ovulation is happening regularly, but that is not always the case. Conditions such as polycystic ovaries can delay ovulation or mean it is not happening at all in some cycles.

Without confirming ovulation, it can feel a bit like trying to catch a train without knowing the timetable.

We also look for structural findings that may affect implantation or pregnancy. Fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis and endometriosis are more common than many realise, and they do not always present with obvious symptoms. For some women, the first sign is difficulty conceiving. Identifying these early can help you and your doctor decide on the next step, rather than continuing to try without answers.

Another important part of the picture is the fallopian tubes. If the tubes are not open, sperm cannot reach the egg. A simple procedure such as a HyCoSy scan can assess this and is often overlooked until much later in the process.

What I emphasised during my talk is that information can change timelines.

Having a comprehensive ultrasound with a sonographer who understands fertility can significantly shorten the path. Sometimes the outcome is reassuring, confirming that everything appears normal and that timing is the key focus. Other times, it provides a clear direction on what needs to be addressed.

Either way, it replaces uncertainty with a plan.

Fertility can feel overwhelming, particularly when things are not happening as expected. My approach has always been to give women a clear understanding of their body in real time, so they leave not just with a report, but with context and direction.

If something does not feel right, or if you have been trying without success, it is worth taking that step to look a little deeper. Not everything needs to wait.

Ova Scan

3 Leopardstown Gardens | Off Brewery Rd, Stillorgan, Dublin, A94 W8C3
www.ovascan.ie
Tel: 083 3366747