A woman is born with a lifetime package of immature eggs ( approximately 2 million). These immature eggs have the potential to grow, fertilise, and become a foetus. They are stored within your ovaries. Unfortunately, the number of these immature eggs decreases as you get older.
The total sum of eggs in your ovaries is called “Egg Reserve” or “Ovarian Reserve..” A medical test, the egg reserve test, identifies your chances of getting pregnant by estimating the quantitative state of your eggs. But with a gradual decrease, it can get challenging to maintain a healthy egg reserve.
A poor ovarian reserve can be due to multiple reasons, including diet, genetics, routine, etc. Knowing your egg reserve is wise to understand your pregnancy chances. This article explains everything you should know about egg reserve tests.
Table of Contents
What is Egg Reserve Test
The egg reserve test is a reliable predictor of response to fertility treatments. But it is not easy to predict the chances of your pregnancy on your own.
Genetics, ovarian reserve, and age are three strong and accurate predictors of fertility rate. Your eggs are developed in the ovaries before birth. As you age, the total quantity of your eggs lowers.
The egg reserve testing involves using a combination of different hormone tests. The follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, and anti-mullerian hormone help measure the egg quantity in your ovaries. All these testing includes gauging the number of your eggs, not the quality. Here is what each hormone means;
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone – The levels of FSH in your blood indicate the ovary’s health. Knowing the ovary’s health can help determine the condition of your follicle’s development and egg stimulation.
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone – This test is more accurate than FSH. The AMH controls the production of eggs (ovarian reserve) in your body. Testing the levels of AMH can help identify the egg quantity.
- Estradiol is a type of oestrogen that maintains the ovary’s health.
Who Should Go for the Egg Reserve Test?
There is no specific condition to go for the test. However, healthcare professionals recommend this test for women undergoing any fertility treatment.
With this test, you get a personalised conceiving regime to improve your chances of getting pregnant. We recommend going for this test if you are in any of these situations;
- Trying to get pregnant for more than six weeks
- Delaying your pregnancy if you are under the age of 35
- Understanding your ability to get pregnant
- Going for IVF or any other pregnancy treatment
- Assessing your options for future fertility
- Have a history of ovarian surgery, hormonal therapy, or chemotherapy
- Diagnosing for specific reproductive issues, such as ovarian tumours
- Family history of ovarian cancer, ovarian cyst, autoimmune diseases, etc
- You have high E2 blood or high FSH test
- Symptoms of Polycystic ovaries
- No response to gnRT injections
- Low follicle count
Final Words
The ovarian reserve can vary from woman to woman. There can be genetic, environmental, or habitual factors affecting your ovarian reserve. If you plan to get pregnant naturally, getting an ovarian reserve test to know your chances can determine if you have enough eggs.