Role of Ovarian Volume in Fertile and Infertile Women by Sonography at Swabi

Abstract

Background: The measurement of ovarian volume via sonography is an important parameter in assessing ovarian aging and defining fertility potential in women. In the Swabi region, where advanced medical facilities are limited, measuring ovarian volume could be particularly useful for diagnosing fertility issues. This cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between ovarian size and female fertility among women in Swabi. Objective: To evaluate the role of ovarian volume in distinguishing between fertile and infertile women in the Swabi district using ultrasound. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Radiology, Mahaban Medical and Research Hospital, Swabi, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 101 participants were recruited from community health clinics using convenience sampling. Data on demographic characteristics, medical history, and menstrual cycle regularity were collected via standardized questionnaires. Ovarian dimensions were measured by trained personnel using transvaginal sonography (TVUS), which provided accurate and reproducible results. Descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, and percentages, were calculated for variables such as age, ovarian measurements, and fertility status. Cross-tabulation was used to classify participants based on fertility status and menstrual cycle regularity. Correlation tables were generated to examine the interrelationship between fertility status and cycle regularity. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Software for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25.0). Results: The average age of participants was 28.52 years (SD = 5.08). The mean ovarian volumes for the right and left ovaries were 6.66 cm³ (SD = 3.28) and 7.46 cm³ (SD = 4.26), respectively. Among the participants, 62 were fertile, and 39 were infertile. Fertile participants had slightly higher mean ovarian measurements (right ovary: 6.90 cm³, left ovary: 7.19 cm³) compared to infertile participants (right ovary: 6.29 cm³, left ovary: 7.89 cm³). The regularity of menstrual cycles did not significantly differ between fertile and infertile women, with 31 fertile participants having regular cycles and 31 having irregular cycles. Conclusion: The study found that fertile women had slightly higher ovarian volumes compared to infertile women. However, menstrual cycle regularity did not differ significantly between the two groups. These findings suggest that while ovarian volume may be a useful indicator of fertility, menstrual cycle regularity alone is not a reliable predictor of fertility status in this cohort.