Health

You probably have heard that it gets difficult for a woman to get pregnant as she ages. But have you ever wondered how this happens? This all relates to the female ovarian reserve.  

The chances of a woman having natural pregnancy as she gets older decreases. This depends on her eggs. As a woman ages, her egg quantity and quality decrease making it more challenging to bear children. Every woman can measure her chances of pregnancy through an ovarian reserve test. 

This guide overviews what female ovarian reserve is and how it affects women’s ability to get pregnant. 

What is Female Ovarian Reserve? 

The female ovarian reserve is the number of immature eggs (oocytes) left in your ovary. 

Every woman is born with a limited quantity of oocytes for her lifetime. The oocytes determine your chances of getting pregnant. However, the amount of eggs decreases as a woman ages. 

Hence, taking a regular ovarian reserve test would be best to measure your chances of getting pregnant. 

What is the Ovarian Reserve Test?

The ovarian reserve test is a collection of screening methods to assess your chances of getting pregnant. There are four important hormones tested to measure your ovarian reserve. Each is responsible for determining your chances of natural pregnancy. They are; 

• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
• Anti-Mullerian hormone
• Inhibin B
• Antral Follicle Count 

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) 

The FSH test is a standard fertility test every gynaecologist uses to measure the ovarian reserve of females. The FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) boosts the growth and division of ovarian follicles. The ovarian follicles contain your eggs. The FSH test is a part of ovarian reserve screening, where a woman’s FSH level is checked. 

• A high level of FSH indicates you have poor egg quality or very few eggs left in your ovary. 
• A low level of FSH shows you have enough egg quality– you have a good chance of achieving natural pregnancy. 

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) 

The anti-mullerian hormone is another important hormone for assessing your chances of pregnancy. Anti-mullerian hormone is a glycoprotein hormone induced by the follicles. 

The AMH test gives more accurate and reliable test results than FSH. Here is what the AMH test tells you; 

• A high level of AMH in your bloodstream means enough and a higher chance of getting pregnant. 
• The low level of AMH shows you have poor egg quality and quantity. 

Inhibin B Testing 

You will be tested for the Inhibin B hormone whenever you go for the FSH test. The inhibin B hormone regulates FSH secretion.

Moreover, the level of inhibin B in your blood decreases as your ovarian reserve decreases. The level of Inhibin B in your blood directly affects the number of your oocytes (immature eggs).

• Low levels of inhibin B mean poor ovarian reserve. 
• High levels of inhibin B indicate you have an optimal ovarian reserve.

Antral Follicle Count 

The antral follicle count (AFC) is a physical medical examination. A transvaginal ultrasound counts the amount of antral follicles (small follicles) in your ovaries. This ultrasound indicates your supply of immature eggs. 

Final Thoughts 

Your chances of achieving natural pregnancy are directly correlated to your ovarian reserve (egg quantity). Going for these tests allows you to know and understand your ability to conceive.