With more women choosing to delay pregnancy due to education, career goals, and personal aspirations, fertility-related concerns are becoming increasingly important. One issue that specialists say deserves more attention is low ovarian reserve—a condition that can affect a woman's chances of conceiving in the future.

According to Dr. Kriti Tiwari, Chief IVF Specialist at She Delhi Hospital, awareness about ovarian reserve remains limited despite its significant impact on reproductive health.

What Is Low Ovarian Reserve?

Low ovarian reserve refers to a condition in which a woman has fewer eggs remaining in her ovaries than expected for her age. While it does not automatically mean infertility, it can reduce the likelihood of natural conception and may affect fertility treatment outcomes.

Experts explain that every woman is born with a fixed number of eggs. Over time, both the quantity and quality of these eggs naturally decline.

Why Does Ovarian Reserve Decrease?

Age is the biggest factor affecting ovarian reserve. Fertility generally begins to decline after the age of 30, and the decline becomes more noticeable as women get older.

Other factors that may contribute include:

• Genetic predisposition

• Ovarian or pelvic surgeries

• Certain medical conditions

• Chemotherapy and cancer treatments

• Lifestyle and environmental factors

Specialists also note that some women may experience a decline in ovarian reserve earlier than expected, even before the age of 30.

Are There Any Symptoms?

One of the challenges with low ovarian reserve is that many women experience no obvious symptoms.

However, possible signs may include:

• Irregular menstrual cycles

• Difficulty conceiving

• Reduced fertility despite regular attempts at pregnancy

Because symptoms are often absent, many women only discover the condition during fertility evaluations.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Doctors typically assess ovarian reserve through a combination of blood tests and ultrasound examinations.

The most common test is the Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) test, which helps estimate the number of remaining eggs in the ovaries. Ultrasound scans may also be used to evaluate ovarian follicles.

Does Low Ovarian Reserve Mean Pregnancy Is Impossible?

Not at all.

Experts emphasize that low ovarian reserve does not necessarily prevent pregnancy. Some women conceive naturally despite having a lower egg count, while others may benefit from fertility treatments.

The key is early awareness and timely medical consultation.

Can Egg Freezing Help?

For women who plan to delay pregnancy, egg freezing may be an option worth considering. Preserving eggs at a younger age can provide additional reproductive choices in the future.

A fertility specialist can help determine whether egg preservation is appropriate based on age, ovarian reserve, and personal goals.

The Role of Lifestyle

While a healthy diet and lifestyle may not directly increase ovarian reserve, they can support overall reproductive health and improve the body's readiness for conception.

Maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and getting adequate sleep can all contribute to better fertility outcomes.

The Bottom Line

Low ovarian reserve is becoming an increasingly important women's health issue, particularly as many women choose to start families later in life. Since the condition often develops without noticeable symptoms, understanding your fertility health and seeking timely medical guidance can help you make informed decisions about future family planning.