What is Ovarian Reserve? 

Ovarian reserve IVF refers to the number of eggs a woman has remaining in her ovaries. This reserve determines a woman’s fertility potential, as the ovaries are like an egg bank that releases eggs monthly throughout a woman’s reproductive life. While one egg is typically released during ovulation each month, many others are lost naturally. As women age, the number of eggs available for a possible pregnancy decreases, which is why age is such a crucial factor when it comes to fertility, whether through natural conception or assisted reproductive technologies like IVF. 

Why is Checking Ovarian Reserve Important?

Nowadays, many women delay motherhood due to various factors. This trend means that most of the women seeking fertility treatment services are at older ages. Age certainly affects ovarian reserve, but other factors such as genetics and lifestyle choices, for instance, smoking, can also impact it. Some women may have an ovarian reserve at low levels before reaching a young age because of genetic or autoimmune conditions or even for completely unknown reasons.

 

Checking ovarian reserve is a procedure that is important for all women who considering fertility treatments. Knowing the ovarian reserve is a way of treatment planning and predicting the success probability for doctors. It can prove to be helpful for women who are bound to delay having kids to know this extent about their ovaries. 

How Does Ovarian Reserve Impact My Chances of Having a Baby?

Women with reduced ovarian reserve can continue to be on regular cycles. So, if you're still ovulating, the chances of natural conception may be decreased, however, it's still possible. IVF involves stimulating the ovaries using fertility drugs so that multiple eggs are produced and, consequently, may be available for in vitro fertilization. However, women with low ovarian reserve often don’t respond well to these medications, producing fewer eggs even with high doses of fertility drugs. 

 

This means that for women who have decreased ovarian reserve yet still have blocked fallopian tubes or low sperm count in the male partner, then the only hope of success with pregnancy is egg donation. For them, eggs can be donated because their eggs are older and less viable. A success rate comes from the use of younger, healthy donor eggs.

How is Ovarian Reserve Measured? 

There are several ways to check ovarian reserve. Here are some of the most commonly used tests: 

1. Serum FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) Test: Can I conceive with high AMH? This blood test is typically performed on days 2-4 of your menstrual cycle. It can measure the level of FSH, which is a hormone produced in your body to regulate much of your reproductive activity. However, FSH levels change from one cycle to another, so this is regarded as one of the less reliable markers of ovarian reserve. Typically, an FSH level higher than 9 IU/L suggests reduced ovarian reserve. In some cases, if the level is higher than 15 IU/L, IVF using your eggs may not be recommended.

2. Antral Follicle Count (AFC): It is a type of ultrasound test that counts the number of immature eggs (termed small follicles) on both sides of the ovaries by using a vaginal probe. Follicles are counted when the size ranges between 2-6 mm in diameter, and if the count is low, typically below 5, then the ovarian reserve is said to be decreased. 

3. Serum AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) Test: This blood test can be taken at any time in your menstrual cycle and is believed to better predict ovarian reserve than FSH. AMH values provide an estimation of how well the ovaries are likely to respond to the drugs utilized in the fertility treatment. Below 5.5 mIU/mL is most often used as a cut-off for low ovarian reserve. 

Understanding your ovarian reserve is important in guiding fertility treatment to make informed decisions about your reproductive future. Trying to conceive naturally or with help like IVF requires knowledge of where you stand so you and your doctor can plan the best course of action for success. At HomeIVF, we'll make sure to get you through each step with support and care.

FAQs

Q. What does ovarian reserve mean, and why is it important?
A. Ovarian reserve refers to the number and quality of eggs remaining in a woman’s ovaries. It plays a key role in fertility potential and helps predict the chances of natural conception or success with assisted reproductive treatments like IVF. Monitoring ovarian reserve is essential for women planning fertility treatments, especially as they age.

Q. How can ovarian reserve be measured?
A. Ovarian reserve is typically measured through several tests, including the following:

• FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) Test
• Antral Follicle Count (AFC)
• AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) Test

Q. Can I still conceive naturally if I have a low ovarian reserve?
A. While women with low ovarian reserve may still ovulate and have regular cycles, the chances of natural conception can decrease. Fertility treatments like IVF may be more challenging with low ovarian reserve, and in some cases, an egg donation may be recommended to increase the chances of success.