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% |