What is ovarian reserve?

Bottom lineOvarian reserve is the number of eggs left in your ovaries, which declines naturally from about 1 to 2 million at birth to roughly 25,000 by 37 and 1,000 by 51; it's measured by AMH, antral follicle count, or day-3 FSH. It estimates egg quantity and IVF response but not egg quality or your monthly chance of natural conception, so a low reserve doesn't mean you can't conceive, and it's most useful for fertility and IVF planning.

Ovarian reserve is the number of eggs remaining in your ovaries. You're born with all the eggs you'll ever have, and the supply declines steadily throughout life.

The numbers

• About 1 to 2 million eggs at birth
• Roughly 300,000 to 500,000 at puberty
• About 25,000 by age 37
• Around 1,000 by 51 (the average age of menopause)

This decline is natural and happens to everyone.

How it's measured

• AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone) blood test - rough estimate of quantity
• Antral follicle count - an ultrasound counting visible follicles
• FSH on day 3 of the cycle - an older marker

What it does and doesn't tell you

• Does: estimate egg quantity and help predict IVF response
• Doesn't: measure egg quality or predict your monthly chance of natural conception

A low reserve doesn't mean you can't conceive naturally, and a normal reserve doesn't guarantee it. Age affects egg quality independently of reserve.

Why it matters

Ovarian reserve testing is most useful for fertility planning and IVF, interpreted with a clinician alongside your age and goals.

Read what is AMH and our at-home hormone tests guide.

Femora keeps your cycle history so any reserve testing is interpreted with full context.