Ovarian reserve refers to the ability of the eggs remaining in a woman’s ovaries at a given age, to produce a viable pregnancy.
For women who are age 35 or higher or women with a poor response to fertility drugs, we will typically perform ovarian reserve testing. Even if this testing is normal, age is still a very important factor in fertility treatment options and success.
The age-related decrease in ovarian reserve begins in the mid-thirties and there is a significant decline in fertility rates beginning at age 35. This decline is gradual at first, but then becomes more rapid closer to age 40, such that it becomes more difficult to conceive spontaneously or with only minimal fertility treatment at these ages.
Fortunately, more aggressive fertility treatments are available and they will typically be recommended at increased reproductive ages. Treatment may include a limited number of cycles with fertility pills or moving directly to insemination, fertility shots, or in-vitro fertilization (IVF) . For patients who are not candidates for IVF, use of a donated egg from a woman of younger age may be recommended. Adoption should also be considered as a possible option.
For more information, see the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) booklet Age and Fertility.
