In plain words
Ovarian reserve describes how many eggs a person still has in her ovaries. It declines with age over a lifetime. It is estimated with a blood test for anti-Müllerian hormone, called AMH, and with an ultrasound count of small follicles. A lower reserve can mean fewer eggs are available for stimulation during fertility treatment. It does not directly show whether a person can conceive naturally. Many people with a lower reserve conceive without help. Ovarian reserve is one part of fertility evaluation. Other tests look at ovulation, the uterus, and the fallopian tubes. Mothers often hear about it when they are planning or considering treatment.
The deeper version
Ovarian reserve is assessed by antral follicle count on and by serum anti-Müllerian hormone, both of which predict ovarian response to stimulation rather than natural . AMH is produced by small growing follicles and is not reliably linked to natural conception, though it correlates with reserve across ages. Age remains the strongest determinant of oocyte number and quality. Diminished ovarian reserve is a diagnosis based on these markers and ovarian response in treatment cycles, and the ASRM (2015) guidance cautions against using a single marker to counsel on natural conception. Evidence on outcomes in women with low reserve is largely from assisted reproduction cohorts.
Where it comes up
- Trying to conceive: how long is normal, when to ask for helpBefore Pregnancy
- Infertility and the long roadLoss and Complications
- Tracking your cycle and ovulationBefore Pregnancy
- The preconception visitBefore Pregnancy
What mothers here say about ovarian reserve
No one has posted under this term yet.
Sources
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine — Testing and interpreting measures of ovarian reserve: a committee opinion, 2015
- Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine — Diagnosis and treatment of infertility: a committee opinion, 2015