Ovarian reserve is a term that refers to a woman’s reproductive potential based on the number and quality of her eggs within her ovaries. Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) signifies a decline in this potential, primarily due to a reduction in the quantity or quality of the remaining eggs. This condition impacts a woman’s natural fertility and success rates with fertility treatments.
The primary cause of diminished ovarian reserve is natural aging. However, DOR can also arise from genetic factors, aggressive medical treatments like radiation for cancer that can damage the reproductive system, certain surgical procedures, or injuries. In many instances, the exact cause of a decrease in ovarian reserve remains unidentified. Therefore, accurate Dor Diagnosis is crucial for women concerned about their fertility.
Women who receive a dor diagnosis face similar challenges in conceiving, whether through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or natural conception methods. Furthermore, DOR is often associated with an increased risk of miscarriage in women conceiving via IVF using their own eggs, primarily due to the diminished quality of the eggs. Early and precise dor diagnosis can help women and their partners make informed decisions about family planning and explore appropriate interventions.
Ovarian reserve is often likened to a biological clock, but it’s important to understand that this clock varies significantly among women. Some women maintain fertility well into their 40s, while others may experience a decline in fertility in their 20s. Generally, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine notes that women begin to experience a decrease in ovarian reserve before becoming infertile and before the cessation of menstruation. Seeking a dor diagnosis can provide valuable insights into an individual’s reproductive timeline.
From birth, women are endowed with a finite supply of approximately 2 million eggs, which represents their lifetime egg reserve. This number steadily diminishes throughout life. By puberty, the average woman has around 400,000 eggs remaining. By the late 30s, this number further decreases to approximately 27,000. At the onset of menopause, the ovarian reserve is typically depleted, with only around 1,000 eggs remaining in the ovaries. Understanding these natural declines underscores the importance of timely dor diagnosis for proactive reproductive health management.
