Ovarian Reserve

Females are born with all the egg cells they'll ever have. Ovarian reserve refers to this egg supply and testing a woman's ovarian reserves is crucial to diagnosis and determination of fertility treatment options.

Ovarian reserve describes a woman’s reproductive potential with respect to both egg quantity and quality. At present the best readily available way to measure ovarian reserve is a blood test drawn on the second or third day of the patient's menstrual cycle. The test measures the level of (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in her blood. This measurement may be very important in choosing the optimal treatment for a patient and also to offer a realistic idea of her chance for a successful pregnancy.

Another test, the Clomiphene Challenge Test (CCT), can provide more information on ovarian reserve. CCT involves blood tests on specific days of the menstrual cycle, along with the administration of clomiphene citrate tablets.

 Ovarian reserve is often a significant issue for older women trying to become pregnant. The use of donor eggs has proven to be an effective option for women in their 40s and even early  50s.

This information is provided for general education purposes and is not intended to take the place of a discussion with your physician. If you have questions about any aspect of your health, you are advised to speak with your physician.