The ovarian reserve is an assessment of the quantity and quality of the eggs remaining in the ovaries. The ovarian reserve is said to be diminished if the quality and quantity of eggs in the patient’s ovaries is lower than expected at their age. Diminished ovarian reserve can affect people at any age, and it is possible to get pregnant despite it-if intervened early.
There aren’t many noticeable physical symptoms of a diminished ovarian reserve. However, patients with diminished ovarian reserve typically find it difficult to get pregnant. They may have irregular menstruation or absent cycles. They may also experience heavy flow during periods and have a history of miscarriage.
Aging reduces the ovarian reserve. Certain conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic infections, auto-immune disorders, mumps or fragile X syndrome could cause the ovarian reserve to diminish faster for your age. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also accelerate the diminishing of the ovarian reserve. In some cases, there is no identifiable cause for the condition.
Women with diminished ovarian reserve have low chances of conceiving with IVF as well. They also often have a greater risk of miscarriage with IVF because of the quality of the eggs.
Diminished ovarian reserve is diagnosed on the basis of blood tests to measure the levels of the FSH and AHM in the blood. The level of these hormones gives the doctors an indication of the condition of the ovaries.
If the condition is diagnosed early, the doctor may recommend harvesting and freezing healthy eggs for future use. IVF may also be recommended in some cases. For patients with a highly diminished ovarian reserve, the doctor may recommend alternative options such as using a donor ovum in IVF.
Diminishing ovarian reserve cannot be prevented. Regular screening can help diagnose the condition early.
A consultation with our panel of doctors, specialists and surgeons will help you determine what kind of services you may need to help diagnose and treat your condition. If you or someone in your family or friend’s circle are facing any health issues, please get in touch with us, we are here for you.
