Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Fertility-related issues are a significant hurdle in your journey to becoming parents. Given the fact that there are 10-15% of married couples experiencing infertility, it becomes important to understand what are the various causes of these problems and how to solve them. One such cause is a decrease in ovarian reserve. This condition affects the ability of a woman to conceive naturally.
As the number of healthy eggs reduces, so do your chances of pregnancy. Hence, whether you have been diagnosed with this problem or are planning a pregnancy in the future, knowing everything about depleted ovarian reserve is essential. Knowing the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and ovarian reserve treatment options will help you make informed decisions.
All this and a lot more about ovarian reserve has been discussed in detail in the following sections.
What is a Low Ovarian Reserve?
Low ovarian reserve refers to a condition where the number and quality of a woman’s remaining eggs are lower than expected for her age. Women are born with a limited quantity of eggs, and this reserve innately diminishes over time. However, in some cases, the decline occurs more rapidly than the natural depletion of ovarian reserve by age, leading to a reduced ovarian reserve.
This condition can impact fertility, as fewer eggs are available for fertilization, and those that remain may be of lower quality. Women with this condition may experience challenges in conceiving naturally and might have to consider fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) to increase their chances of pregnancy. Of course, many factors contribute to this condition. However, your age is the best indicator of ovarian reserve depletion. Your doctor will compare your reserve with age as the standard to confirm this condition.
According to studies, women or assigned females at birth will likely experience poor ovarian reserve by the time they turn 35 years old. The average number of eggs present throughout life is:
- At birth - 1 to 2 million eggs
- At puberty - 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 eggs
- At age 40 - 25,000 eggs
- At menopause - less than 1,000 eggs
Depending on your ovarian reserve testing results, the doctor will discuss your options with you.
Exploring the Common Causes of a Low Ovarian Egg Reserve
Here are some causes of diminished ovarian reserve:
Age
The most significant factor affecting ovarian reserve is age. As you enter your late 20s or early 30s, you will be able to notice a significant decline in the quality and quantity of eggs present in your ovaries.
Genetic Disorders
Genetics are also known to affect your fertility. Let us assume your mother or grandmother had reproductive problems or early onset of menopause. Then, you have increased chances of having a diminished ovarian reserve.
Previous Surgeries
If you have had surgical procedures involving the ovaries, they may affect your ovarian reserve as well. That is why it is important to share everything about your medical history with your doctor. This helps them get an accurate diagnosis of low ovarian reserve.
Chemo and Radiation Therapies
Cancer treatments can be harmful very to your ovaries. Hence, chemotherapies and radiation therapies will significantly reduce the number and quality of eggs in your ovaries. This is why doctors recommend freezing eggs (egg bank) before undergoing such treatments.
Lifestyle
Smoking or any other kind of tobacco usage has been shown to promote the decline of your ovarian reserve. It is thus essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make the right choices.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are also known to affect the functioning of your ovaries and cause severely diminished ovarian reserve.
Environmental Factors
Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides, industrial chemicals, or heavy materials, may negatively impact ovarian health and lead to a decrease in egg reserve.
Diminished Ovarian Reserve Symptoms
Listed below are the various low ovarian reserve symptoms that you should know about:
- One of the most prevalent signs of low ovarian reserve is irregular menstrual cycles. Your cycles may be shorter or longer. Both these are signs that your ovarian reserve has been significantly affected.
- You will also experience abnormal bleeding if you have a low ovarian reserve.
- There will also be hormonal imbalances in your body. As a result of this, you may observe symptoms such as:
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Night sweats
- Inability to conceive even after regular and frequent unprotected sex.
- There may be miscarriages as well, because the quality of the eggs has deteriorated.
Diagnostics and Tests Available for Checking if You Have a Poor Ovarian Reserve
Of course, symptoms can give you an idea of what a condition might be. But, how to determine ovarian reserve accurately? For this, numerous screening and test options are available. These include the following:
- Blood Tests: These measure AMH for ovarian reserve, along with FSH and estradiol levels. This will help the doctor comprehend how well you will respond to ovarian stimulation.
- Vaginal Ultrasound: Measures the ovarian volume. It also helps the experts analyze the AFC ovarian reserve (antral follicle count).
- Clomiphene Citrate Challenge: This is a unique method of diagnosis of lowered ovarian reserve that involves the consumption of oral fertility medication. This will be followed by monitoring. The use of this process is very rare.
Treatment Options for Those With a Decreased Ovarian Reserve
There are many ways in which decreased ovarian reserve can be treated. These include the following:
IVF or In Vitro Fertilization
In the initial step of IVF treatment, the ovaries are stimulated to increase the number of eggs released in a single cycle. Sometimes, mild ovarian stimulation may also be chosen. This explains why low ovarian reserve and IVF are interrelated.
With the help of your expert doctor, you will be able to know which is the best IVF protocol for low ovarian reserve.
Egg Donor
If your depleted ovarian reserve is not showing signs of improvement, it is a good idea to seek the help of an egg donor from social egg freezing.
Egg Freezing
Now, if you are not comfortable with pregnancy through egg donation, it is a good idea to get your own eggs retrieved and cryopreserved. Many women who want to ensure a successful pregnancy in the future have chosen one of the many options available, such as the freeze all strategy.
To understand which is the best treatment option for your condition, you must get in touch with a fertility specialist.
Bloom IVF: Providing the Most Excellent Treatment for Decreased Ovarian Reserve
Bloom IVF is a renowned fertility clinic in India where you will find the best treatment options for any problem that is stopping you from a successful pregnancy. Our team of experts is dedicated to delivering personalized care and cutting-edge treatments to improve your chances of conception. Hence, if you have a low ovarian reserve, you can seek our help.
Even if you have had repeated IVF failure, the best doctors at Bloom IVF are available to help you. We utilize the latest tests to assess the problem and tailor a treatment plan for you accordingly. In addition to IVF, we also offer IUI treatment, ICSI treatment, PRP treatment, PICSI, and embryo pooling, among many other services