What is Low Egg Reserve?
Low egg reserve is a condition that occurs when the number of eggs (follicles) in the ovaries decreases. It is becoming more common today with the increasing age of motherhood and plays a significant role among the causes of infertility.
After the age of 35, the number and quality of eggs naturally begin to decrease. This negatively affects the eggs’ ability to be fertilized. However, low AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) levels can occur not only in old age but also at a young age. Therefore, regular check-ups are important at every age.
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What Causes Low Egg Reserve?
The most important reason for low egg reserve is age.
As age increases, the number of eggs decreases and the quality of the remaining eggs deteriorates.
However, the following factors can also negatively affect egg reserve:
- Treatments such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy
- Ovarian surgeries
- Smoking, alcohol, and drug use
- Obesity and insulin resistance
- Turner syndrome
- Chocolate cyst (endometriosis)
These factors can damage egg cells, reducing fertility.
What are the symptoms of low egg reserve?
Low egg reserve usually manifests itself through changes in the menstrual cycle
. The most common symptoms are:
- Shorter menstrual cycles (e.g., less than 21 days)
- Intensification of menstrual bleeding
- Menstrual irregularities
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Early menopause symptoms
However, some women may have low AMH levels despite having a normal menstrual cycle. Therefore, AMH testing is recommended, especially for couples who are having difficulty conceiving.
How is Low Egg Reserve Diagnosed?
Low egg reserve can be determined by both ultrasonography and blood tests .
- Transvaginal Ultrasound: Evaluates follicle count and ovarian structure.
- Blood Test: AMH and FSH hormone levels are examined on the 3rd day of menstruation .
- AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone): Directly indicates egg reserve.
- FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): High levels indicate a decrease in the number of eggs.
If low egg reserve is diagnosed early, a successful treatment plan can be implemented.
What should the AMH value be?
AMH levels vary with age.
However, the following values are generally used as a reference:
- Normal AMH: 1.5 – 4 ng/ml
- Low AMH: 1.0 – 1.5 ng/ml
- Very low AMH: 0.5 ng/ml and below.
In women under 35, low AMH levels may be a sign of early menopause.
In this case, egg freezing or early pregnancy planning is recommended.
Can Low AMH Levels Cause Menstrual Irregularities?
Yes.
Women with low AMH levels typically experience shorter menstrual periods and increased bleeding.
This is a significant indicator of decreased ovarian reserve.
A progressively shorter time between periods and heavier bleeding may signal a condition requiring early intervention.
Is it possible to get pregnant with low egg reserve?
Women with low egg reserves may have difficulty conceiving naturally , but this does not necessarily mean infertility.
The chances of pregnancy are high with in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
High-quality eggs are selected in a laboratory setting, fertilization is achieved, and the embryo is transferred to the uterus.
Alternatively, the embryo pooling method can also be applied.
In this method, eggs collected in multiple treatment cycles are frozen and stored, then combined and transferred.
This method increases the success rate, especially in women with low AMH levels.
Is Low AMH a Barrier to Pregnancy?
Low AMH levels can reduce the chances of pregnancy, but they don’t completely prevent it.
However, it’s important to note that low AMH also increases the risk of miscarriage.
Therefore, a personalized IVF or egg freezing plan should be developed by a reproductive specialist.
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Treatment of Low Egg Reserve (AMH)
Once egg reserves are depleted, it’s impossible to completely reverse this.
However, if detected early, the chances of pregnancy can be increased with appropriate treatment.
Treatment Methods Applied:
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Pregnancy is achieved by selecting high-quality embryos.
- Pooling Method: Eggs collected in several cycles are frozen, then transferred.
- Egg Freezing: A safe option for the future for women who do not yet plan to have children.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Healthy eating, stress management, and avoiding smoking and alcohol support hormone balance.
Early diagnosis is key to a successful treatment process.
Conclusion: Early diagnosis increases the chances of pregnancy.
Low egg reserve is a significant factor affecting female fertility.
However, the chances of pregnancy can be increased with a timely AMH test , early diagnosis, and appropriate IVF treatment .
FertiJin Women’s Health and IVF Center in Istanbul stands out with its high success rate and experienced team of specialists in women with low egg reserve.