Panama Fertility

How Many Eggs Does a Woman Have?

Fertility Facts Explained

Understanding Ovarian Reserve and Fertility

One of the most common fertility questions is: how many eggs does a woman have? The answer is both fascinating and important for understanding reproductive health.
Unlike men, who produce sperm continuously, women are born with all the eggs they will ever have. This fixed number declines naturally over time. Therefore, understanding ovarian reserve is essential for family planning.

 

At Panama Fertility Florida, we help patients evaluate their reproductive timeline and explore options that maximize their chances of success.

How Many Eggs Is a Woman Born With?

A female fetus has approximately 6 to 7 million eggs at around 20 weeks of pregnancy. However, by the time she is born, that number drops to about 1 to 2 million. This decrease continues naturally. By puberty, the average woman has approximately 300,000 to 500,000 eggs remaining. Importantly, not all of these eggs will mature. Throughout a woman’s reproductive years, only about 300–400 eggs will be ovulated.

How Does Age Affect Fertility?

 

Age is the most significant factor in female fertility.

  • In your 20s: Egg quantity and quality are generally optimal.

  • Early 30s: Fertility remains strong but begins to decline gradually.

  • After 35: Decline accelerates.

  • After 40: Both egg quantity and quality decrease significantly.

As a result, understanding your ovarian reserve becomes especially important if you plan to delay pregnancy.

What Is Ovarian Reserve?

Ovarian reserve refers to the number and quality of eggs remaining in the ovaries.

Specialized fertility testing can estimate ovarian reserve through:

  • AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) blood test

  • FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) levels

  • Antral follicle count via ultrasound

At Panama Fertility Florida, we use advanced diagnostic tools to provide accurate assessments and personalized guidance.

Can You Increase the Number of Eggs?

Unfortunately, women cannot increase their egg count. The number of eggs is fixed from birth.

However, you can support egg health by:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight

  • Avoiding smoking

  • Managing stress

  • Eating a nutrient-rich diet

  • Reducing alcohol consumption

Although lifestyle changes cannot increase egg quantity, they may help preserve egg quality.

What If Ovarian Reserve Is Low?

A low ovarian reserve does not necessarily mean pregnancy is impossible. It simply means fertility may require medical support.

Depending on your situation, treatment options may include:

  • Ovulation stimulation

  • Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

  • In vitro fertilization (IVF)

  • Egg freezing

  • Donor eggs (in certain cases)

Early evaluation improves treatment outcomes significantly.

When Should You See a Fertility Specialist?

You should consider a consultation if:

  • You are under 35 and have tried for 12 months without success

  • You are over 35 and have tried for 6 months

  • You have irregular cycles

  • You have a history of reproductive conditions

  • You want to assess fertility proactively

At Panama Fertility Florida, our specialists provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your goals.

Planning for the Future

Many women today are choosing to delay pregnancy due to career, education, or personal reasons. Understanding how many eggs a woman has — and how that changes over time — allows for informed decisions.

Egg freezing, for example, offers women the opportunity to preserve fertility at a younger age when egg quality is higher.

Knowledge empowers proactive planning.

Why Choose Panama Fertility Florida?

We combine advanced reproductive technology with personalized attention. Our team understands that fertility journeys are deeply personal.

Therefore, we focus on:

  • Comprehensive diagnostics

  • Transparent treatment options

  • Emotional support

  • Advanced IVF technology

Our goal is to help you achieve the family you envision.

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🌟 At Panamá Fertility, we offer tailored treatment plans for women with endometriosis, combining expertise, advanced technology, and compassionate care to help you achieve pregnancy.

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Name
Picture of Dr. Mario Vega C.
Dr. Mario Vega C.

Dr. Mario Vega Croker graduated among the top of his medical school class before coming to New York. He is currently specializing in Gynecology and Obstetrics at hospitals affiliated with Columbia University and the Mount Sinai Medical School, where he was appointed Administrative Chief Resident in Gynecology and Obstetrics. He has also been recognized for his minimally invasive surgical skills with the “Special Resident in Minimally Invasive Gynecology” award from the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) and the “Resident Achievement Award” from The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS).

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