A Helping Hand For Low Ovarian Reserve
Low ovarian reserve is a common reason for infertility in women, especially those at an advanced reproductive age. Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a medical condition that occurs when a woman has significantly fewer follicles in the ovaries relative to age. In some cases, egg quality is also significantly diminished. Women are born with a set supply of follicles within the ovaries that are non-replenishable. These follicles are expected to decline with age, but a steep decline can lead to difficulties getting pregnant. Some cases need assistance in the form of in vitro fertilization (IVF), but some clinics go a step further with donor egg IVF. Understanding DOR and donor IVF can help hopeful parents make better decisions when addressing infertility.
What causes your low ovarian reserve?
Low ovarian reserve is primarily an age-related issue. Women at an advanced reproductive age of at least 35 are more likely to have DOR. Younger women can have a low ovarian reserve, but the condition is often linked to other causes. Genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, for instance, can cause premature ovarian failure. Previous ovarian surgeries, chemotherapy, and the use of certain medications can also cause a rapid decline in ovarian reserves. Lifestyle factors like smoking may lead to a faster decline in ovarian reserves. The condition has no symptoms, but women will struggle to conceive, experience pregnancy loss, or have lighter periods. A fertility specialist can diagnose the condition using tests such as an anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) blood test or a follicle count.
Can IVF help?
Doctors will recommend IVF for women with a significantly low ovarian reserve. Conceiving naturally will be difficult, and even strategies like intrauterine insemination (IUI) will produce minimal results. With IVF, the fertility clinic surgically extracts follicles from the woman’s ovaries. This is timed with hormone medication to produce multiple eggs at once. The follicles are combined with sperm to create embryos, which are then transferred to the woman’s uterus for pregnancy. IVF is the gold standard for many infertility conditions, boasting high success rates. The challenge, however, begins when the fertility team is unable to extract enough viable follicles. Women with low ovarian reserves can fail to produce high-quality eggs during the IVF process. Even those who can provide sufficient eggs can experience failed IVF cycles due to poor embryo quality.
Is it time to call in a donor?
Donor IVF is the most effective and recommended option for women with severely low ovarian reserves. This step is useful for women at an advanced maternal age with DOR or poor egg quality. With donor egg IVF, the recipient uses embryos created with eggs from a younger, reproductively healthier woman. Donor eggs can come from a family member or a fertility bank that provides high-quality eggs from screened donors. The IVF process continues with embryos created and transferred to the intended recipient’s uterus. Donor egg IVF is often more successful. Donors are younger, with higher-quality eggs that are rigorously tested. While success rates can vary by clinic, most statistics indicate that donor egg IVF has a success rate of up to 70% per cycle. Women who try IVF without donors may experience success rates of 10% or lower.
The choice is yours
Donor egg IVF is a viable option, but women must consider all factors before proceeding. The emotional and psychological challenges of a lack of genetic, choosing the right donor, and family dynamics can be overwhelming. The risks of IVF and pregnancy remain, along with the financial considerations of donor egg IVF. Despite these obstacles, the benefits far exceed the risks. Fertility clinics also provide support and resources to make the process smoother. Women with a low ovarian reserve no longer need to give up hope of having a child. With IVF and the many resources available, there is a clear path to parenthood.
