What it means

AFC stands for Antral Follicle Count. It is the number of small follicles seen in the ovaries during an ultrasound scan at the beginning of a cycle. Each of these follicles may contain an immature egg.

When it’s used

It’s usually checked during early fertility assessment or at the start of an IVF cycle. Doctors use AFC together with AMH and FSH to understand how the ovaries might respond to stimulation.

Why people get confused

Some people think AFC is the exact number of eggs they will get. But it’s only a starting count. Not every follicle will grow, and not every follicle will contain a usable egg.

Think of it this way

AFC is like a snapshot of how many small follicles are visible at the start. It gives a rough idea of what’s there, but it doesn’t show what will actually develop later.

What to expect

The count is done through a scan and may vary slightly from cycle to cycle. It’s used as a guide, not a fixed prediction, and is usually considered together with other test results.