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At what age are 90% of your eggs gone?

Published in Female Reproduction 2 mins read

By the age of 30, a woman will have lost nearly 90% of her eggs.

Understanding Ovarian Reserve

A woman's ovarian reserve, the number of eggs she has, is not constant. It declines over her lifetime. Here's a breakdown of the process:

  • Peak Egg Count: A female fetus has her maximum number of eggs, roughly 6 to 7 million, at around 20 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Egg Loss: This number starts to decrease from that point onward.
  • Significant Decline: By the time a woman reaches 30 years old, she has lost approximately 90% of her eggs.
  • Further Depletion: By age 40, only about 3% of the original egg supply remains.
  • Natural Infertility: Most women lose their natural ability to become pregnant in their mid-40s.

Impact on Fertility

The drastic reduction in egg quantity plays a significant role in a woman's fertility potential:

  • Decreased Fertility with Age: The progressive loss of eggs contributes to decreasing fertility as women age.
  • Age-Related Fertility Challenges: This natural decline is a primary reason why women find it more difficult to conceive naturally as they get older.
  • Reproductive Considerations: For women considering future pregnancy, understanding their ovarian reserve at various stages of life is important for making informed decisions.
Age Percentage of Eggs Remaining
Fetus (20 weeks) 100% (6-7 million)
30 Years Approximately 10%
40 Years Approximately 3%