We usually recommend having an AMH blood test to measure ovarian reserve hormone called Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH). This simple blood test provides a very good estimate of the number of eggs that you still have in your ovaries.
As eggs, or Oocytes, are microscopic, you cannot really determine how many you have. However, the immature egg cells secrete a hormone call AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone) which can be measured and interpreted in the context of what is the average measure of this hormone for one's age group.
An AMH test tells you the number of remaining eggs you have and whether your ovaries might be aging too quickly. It may reveal that you have a shorter window to get pregnant.
How many eggs do women have in their 30s? There is no one right answer to this question, as certain factors – such as smoking or other personal factors – may mean a woman has fewer eggs than others. The average number of oocytes at the age of 30 would be around 72,000 (12% of maximum pre-birth levels).
For example, a woman at 30 often has around 100,000-150,000 eggs in reserve. By 35, that number is likely around 80,000. Late into the thirties, that number could be 25,000, 10,000, or fewer.
The study published by the University of St. Andrews and Edinburgh University in Scotland found that women have lost 90 percent of their eggs by the time they are 30 years old, and only have about 3 percent remaining by the time they are 40.
By age 30, fertility (the ability to get pregnant) starts to decline. This decline happens faster once you reach your mid-30s. By 45, fertility has declined so much that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely.
Irregular period cycle and difficulty conceiving
If you are facing issues conceiving and have not been able to conceive for a while now, it could be one of the signs of bad egg quality.
At the age of 37, the average woman has around 25,000 eggs left, and by the time she reaches 51, this will have fallen to 1,000. “Just before menopause, your egg supply reaches below 1,000, and ovulations space out before they stop altogether, eventually,” says Dr. Sekhon.
A woman is born with all her eggs. Once she starts her periods, 1 egg develops and is released during each menstrual cycle.
You are at your most fertile during your 20s through your mid-30's. Fertility rates drop off after the age of 35 years old until menopause. After menopause, it is not possible to get pregnant naturally.
Women are born with all the oocytes they're ever going to have. Every passing year they lose eggs until they “run out”. When all of their eggs are gone they've reached menopause. During their reproductive years their eggs grow in little “bubbles” on the surface of the ovary called follicles.
Only one will make it to "mature egg" status and be ovulated. The ones that break down along the way go through what's called "atresia." If you're taking the pill, you'll stop that mature egg from developing, but it doesn't stop the waves of atresia. So, it doesn't "save" your eggs or delay menopause.
What Causes Infertility? Problems with ovulation are the most common reasons for infertility in women. A woman's age, hormonal imbalances, weight, exposure to chemicals or radiation and cigarette smoking all have an impact on fertility.
With these factors in mind, you may want to consider taking a pre-pregnancy fertility test in your late 20s or early 30s. Always talk to your doctor for the best advice for you and your situation, though.
Infertility testing includes physical and ultrasound exams to evaluate the health of the reproductive organs. It includes chemical and hormonal tests to evaluate the health and number of the eggs in a woman's ovaries.
The main cause of poor egg quality is age, but it is not the only one; there can be other reasons too, including but not limited to pelvic radiation, ovarian surgery, any reproductive illness, genetic abnormalities, chemotherapy, excess consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and some unknown factors.
Although the average age of menopause (no eggs remaining) is about 51 y.o., the decrease in the ability to conceive due to low egg number and poor egg quality occurs long before, usually beginning in the 30's and becoming more pronounced in the early 40s.
Male Fertility Facts
Peak male fertility is around 25-29 years old. Sperm quality begins to decline at 30. At 45, men begin to experience a significant decrease in semen volume. Older men can also take longer to conceive a child.
Levels of CoQ10 decrease as you age. Taking CoQ10 supplements can increase blood and tissue CoQ10 levels. CoQ10 supplementation has been shown to improve egg quality, sperm quality, and pregnancy rates.
Studies find that taking CoQ10 for at least one month can be supportive for improving your egg quality. Because of how your eggs develop in your body, giving yourself three months to focus on egg quality is optimal. Although it is possible to support your egg quality in just 30 days.