Understanding your ovarian reserve

If you've heard that you have a "low ovarian reserve," you may be wondering what it means for your chances of having a baby.

Ovarian reserve refers to the number of eggs remaining in your ovaries. It naturally declines with age and varies from one woman to another. While ovarian reserve is an important part of fertility, it is only one piece of the puzzle.

What is ovarian reserve?

Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have. Over time, the number of eggs gradually decreases until menopause.

Ovarian reserve is simply an estimate of how many eggs remain. It does not measure whether those eggs are healthy or capable of leading to a pregnancy.

How is ovarian reserve measured?

No single test can measure ovarian reserve perfectly. Fertility specialists usually combine several pieces of information, including:

• AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)

• Antral Follicle Count (AFC) measured by ultrasound

• Your age

• In some cases, FSH and estradiol levels

Looking at these results together provides a much clearer picture than relying on any one test alone.

Why is ovarian reserve important?

Knowing your ovarian reserve can help:

• Estimate how your ovaries may respond to IVF stimulation.

• Guide discussions about egg freezing or fertility treatment.

• Help plan the timing of future pregnancies.

• Identify women who may benefit from earlier fertility assessment.

Does a low ovarian reserve mean I can't get pregnant?

No.

A lower ovarian reserve means there are fewer eggs remaining, but it does not necessarily mean you cannot conceive naturally.

If you ovulate regularly, it only takes one healthy egg to achieve a pregnancy. However, a lower ovarian reserve may reduce the number of eggs retrieved during IVF, which can affect the number of embryos available for treatment.

Does a high ovarian reserve guarantee fertility?

No. Having a higher ovarian reserve generally means more eggs are available, but fertility also depends on many other factors, including:

• Egg quality

• Age

• Ovulation

• Sperm quality

• Fallopian tubes

• Uterine health

• Conditions such as endometriosis or PCOS

Ovarian reserve and age

Ovarian reserve naturally declines over time, but the rate of decline is different for every woman.

Two women of the same age can have very different ovarian reserves, which is why fertility testing can provide valuable information when planning a pregnancy.

When should you speak with a fertility specialist?

Consider seeking specialist advice if:

• You're over 35 and have been trying to conceive without success.

• Your AMH or AFC is lower than expected for your age.

• You're considering egg freezing.

• You have endometriosis, previous ovarian surgery, or a family history of early menopause.

• You're planning IVF or other fertility treatment.

Key takeaways

• Ovarian reserve estimates the number of eggs remaining in your ovaries.

• It is not the same as fertility and does not measure egg quality.

• A low ovarian reserve does not mean pregnancy is impossible.

• A higher ovarian reserve does not guarantee pregnancy.

• Ovarian reserve is best assessed using your age, AMH, AFC, and overall fertility history.

Bboom Insight

Your ovarian reserve is only one part of your fertility story. Bboom combines your age, AMH, AFC, menstrual history, fertility goals, and other test results to help you understand what your ovarian reserve means for your unique situation.