What is Ovarian Reserve Assessment?
Ovarian reserve refers to the number of oocytes (eggs) remaining in your ovaries.
While egg quality tends to decline with age, it cannot be directly measured by any test.
Ovarian reserve testing provides valuable insight into the quantity of your eggs, helping you and your doctor plan your reproductive future with greater clarity. With more eggs you are more likely to have some with good quality.
Why is Ovarian Reserve Important?
Ovarian reserve is one of the key indicators of reproductive potential.
Understanding it early allows you and your fertility specialist to make informed decisions about natural conception, egg freezing, or IVF — based on your goals and timeline.
Who Should Consider Ovarian Reserve Testing?
You may benefit from ovarian reserve testing if you are:
- A woman aged 35 or older and planning to conceive
- A younger woman with risk factors such as:
- Endometriosis
- Previous abdominal surgery (especially if it involved the ovaries)
- A personal or family history of early menopause
- Past chemotherapy or radiation
- Trying to get pregnant for six months or longer without success
- Preparing for fertility preservation (e.g., egg freezing) or IVF
When Should You Assess Your Ovarian Reserve?
The timing depends on your individual goals and medical history.
Assessment is recommended if:
- You wish to delay pregnancy and want to better understand your fertility timeline
- You have experienced difficulties conceiving
- You or your close relatives have gone through early menopause
- You’re considering options like egg freezing or IVF
Assessing your ovarian reserve early helps you plan ahead, avoid unnecessary delays, and make proactive decisions about your next steps.
How is Ovarian Reserve Assessed?
At Reproart, we use a combination of trusted, minimally invasive tests:
- Blood tests to measure:
- Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) — reflects the size of your remaining egg pool
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and estradiol — help evaluate ovarian function
- Transvaginal ultrasound to count antral follicles in the ovaries, which make up your visible follicular pool
Together, these results give a clear and personalized view of your ovarian reserve.
How to Prepare
- AMH testing can be done on any day of your menstrual cycle, as AMH levels remain relatively stable throughout the cycle.
- FSH and estradiol testing should be performed on cycle days 2–5 to obtain accurate baseline hormone levels.
- Transvaginal ultrasound for antral follicle count is ideally done in the early follicular phase (usually days 2–5), when the follicles are most visible and measurable.
- No special preparation is required.
Please share any relevant medical history with your doctor to ensure accurate interpretation.
Understanding Your Results
- A higher antral follicle count and normal hormone levels usually suggest a healthy ovarian reserve
- A lower follicle count, low AMH, or elevated FSH suggest diminished ovarian reserve
It’s important to remember:
- A lower ovarian reserve does not mean infertility. Many individuals with reduced reserve can still conceive naturally or with assisted reproductive techniques.
- Your Reproart Reproductive Endocrinologist will explain your results clearly and help you choose the next best step.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We know that fertility care often brings up many questions — and that every journey is different. Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions our patients ask.
Does low ovarian reserve always mean difficulty conceiving?
Not always. While low reserve can affect treatment response or reduce the chances of pregnancy per cycle, many women — especially younger patients — still conceive naturally or with the help of fertility treatment.
Can ovarian reserve be improved?
The number of eggs cannot be increased, but early testing allows you to act strategically — whether that means egg freezing or starting IVF sooner.
Should I consider egg freezing?
If your ovarian reserve is low or declining — and you’re not ready to conceive now — Fertility Preservation (egg freezing or embryo freezing) may be a good option.
