10 things you should know about ovarian reserve
The ovarian reserve is the amount of oocytes that a woman has in her ovaries, these determine the degree of fertility and this reserve decreases as the years go by. It is essential to conduct studies to verify internal conditions and define family planning based on the results.
For most women the term of ovarian reserve it is unknown and unimportant. The reality is different, this factor is relevant for planning the family future of the couple or mother, especially due to the current decision to postpone the moment to have a child.
If you do not know this important information about your ovaries, you may have difficulties in achieving pregnancy in the future.
So we decided to collect 10 vital points about the ovarian reserve , so that you can understand it better and check if it is necessary to know it and apply it in your life.
1. The ovarian reserve is finite
All women at birth have an exact number of oocytes, which are naturally expelled with each menstruation.
2. What is the test to know my ovarian reserve?
The ovarian reserve can be known through a gynecological examination, using a transvaginal ultrasound at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, then the number of antral follicles that each ovary contains is counted.
3. What are antral follicles?
The antral follicles are natural formations that house the ovules and is the place where they mature. They are relevant because they will be responsible for the correct maturation of each ovum.
4. What factors affect the ovarian reserve?
Family history, exposure to different toxic agents, autoimmune pathologies and cancer treatments affect the ovarian reserve.
5. How does age affect our ovarian reserve?
After the age of 35, a considerable decrease begins to be noticed. After the age of 40, ovarian reserves have minimal levels and at 43 years of age getting a pregnancy becomes an arduous task, which is why assisted reproductive techniques are the safest and most viable option.
6. Can pregnancy alter our ovarian reserves?
When we start pregnancy, menstruation stops, so our ovarian reserves are not altered.
7. What should I do if I have low ovarian reserves and want to get pregnant?
The options that the specialist will give you will depend on your age and the causes that produce it. Assisted reproduction methods are ideal to resolve this eventuality, such as egg donation, in vitro fertilization and cryopreservation of mature oocytes.
8. Can the ovaries be stimulated?
There is a method known as hormonal stimulation and it is performed with a drug called clomiphene citrate, which allows the development of a greater number of oocytes, maintaining a high functional quality.
9. Is it true that the ovarian reserve is not well known?
More than 60% of women are unaware of the meaning of ovarian reserve , being of vital importance for the fertility of the woman.
10. Why is it difficult to get pregnant after 40 years?
The main reason is that at the age of 40, ovarian reserves are reduced, the body begins to prepare for menopause, and this is where the fertility phase culminates.
The oocytes develop with various abnormalities because the necessary hormones are reduced. This makes it common for women to seek other alternatives.
In addition to the ovarian reserve, there is another method to know the state of fertility of a woman, through specific tests certain essential hormones are measured that indicate the state of our fertility.If in your case you find yourself postponing pregnancy for various reasons, we recommend that you take the ovarian reserve test, to verify that everything is in perfect condition and make the right decision about your family future.
