Low Egg Count? Understanding Poor Ovarian Reserve

Ovarian reserve is a medical term used to describe the quantity and quality of oocytes (eggs) a woman has at any given time. Think of it as a “fertility bank account.” As a woman moves through her reproductive years, this balance naturally declines, but for some, the decline happens faster than expected.

1. What is Decreased Ovarian Reserve (DOR)?

Decreased ovarian reserve means your ovaries have a lower-than-average number of eggs compared to other women of your age. Clinically, it is diagnosed using two main markers:

• AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone): A value below 0.5 – 1.1 ng/ml is often indicative of low reserve.
• AFC (Antral Follicle Count): During an ultrasound, seeing fewer than 5 to 7 follicles suggests a reduced egg pool.

2. Why Does Egg Count Decline?

Aging is the natural and irreversible cause, but certain factors can accelerate the loss:

3. The Challenges and Reality

Low ovarian reserve does not mean you cannot conceive, but it does mean that time is of the essence. It is associated with:

• Lower response to fertility medications.
• Higher risk of pregnancy loss due to declining egg quality.
• Reduced success rates in simple treatments like IUI.

4. Best Treatment Strategies

For women with DOR, IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) offers the highest probability of success. At our center, we prioritize the Antagonist Protocol, which is tailored to maximize the retrieval of every available healthy egg.

In cases where multiple IVF attempts do not yield results, we offer compassionate counseling for alternative paths like Oocyte (Egg) Donation or adoption to help you complete your family.