Even if you’re not considering trying to get pregnant, it is never too early to start thinking about getting advice from an infertility specialist and getting an egg count.
What you should know about your egg count
While most women begin testing over the age of 35, abnormal ovarian reserve tests can help younger women as well.
Egg history
Remember from your sex-ed class that a woman’s eggs are produced during fetal development, and every woman is born with the total amount of eggs she will have her entire life. After birth your eggs start deteriorating, so that during puberty only around 350,000 eggs remain. Egg count declines in quality as they age, making it more difficult for them to respond to the hormones that trigger ovulation. The ones that remain are called your ovarian reserve, and the more of these you have, the higher your chances are of conceiving. Unlike men, who replenish their sperm every 90 days, women do not replenish their egg supply. Counting your eggs allows you to take charge of your health and fertility, and can ultimately aid in conception.
Egg health
While age is one of the biggest determiners of a woman’s ability to conceive, factors such as ovarian surgery, chemotherapy, smoking, and family history can also influence egg quantity and quality. Many doctors recommend women who fall into these categories meet with a specialist and consider early egg evaluation.
