Women’s reproductive potential depends on different factors, including the quality and quantity of eggs. As you grow older, you become less fertile because the quality and quantity of your eggs reduce. However, this is not exclusive to older people, as younger women can also be diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve in Mountain View since the biological clock varies from person to person. Some women are still fertile in their 40s yet some lose their fertility in their 20s. Fortunately, women diagnosed with DOR can try fertility preservation, including egg freezing.
How can I tell if I have DOR?
You can hardly tell if you have diminished ovarian reserve since most women exhibit no noticeable symptoms. However, as the condition progresses, you may notice changes in your menstrual cycle. For example, your cycle becomes shorter – from 28-day to 24. The following symptoms are also associated with diminished ovarian reserve.
- A menstrual cycle that is less than the average 28 days.
- Heavy menstrual flow
- Missing your menstrual periods
- Difficulties getting pregnant
- Miscarriage
These symptoms may not always exhibit themselves, and therefore it is essential to consult with your specialist if you have not been successful conceiving for at least a year. Symptoms such as hot flashes, missed periods, and vaginal flashes are common for women in their menopause.
Is there treatment for diminished ovarian reserve?
There is currently no treatment that can prevent or reverse ovarian aging. Therefore women diagnosed with this condition who wish to conceive usually resort to fertility preservation methods such as egg freezing. Specialists collect and freeze the eggs, which will be thawed and used for fertility treatment. The following information gives you more insight into what egg freezing involves.
What to expect if you need to freeze your eggs
Egg freezing involves multiple steps, which include:
Ovarian stimulation
Usually, the ovary releases one egg during each menstrual cycle. However, you will take synthetic hormones that cause multiple eggs’ release for ovarian stimulation. The medications used are essential since they maximize the number of eggs harvested during the second step, which is retrieval. Your doctor may administer this medication through an injection. Examples of these medicines include menotropins and follitropin alfa or beta. Your doctor can also issue an injectable gonadotropin-releasing hormone to prevent premature ovulation.
Your doctor monitors you to ensure your body responds to the stimulating medications during this time. As the follicles develop, the estrogen levels increases while progesterone levels do not heighten until after ovulation. Expect follow-up visits whereby your doctor monitors the development of the follicles using imaging tests such as a vaginal ultrasound. It may take up to 14 days until the follicles are fully developed for harvesting, during which your doctor administers human chorionic gonadotropin to mature the eggs.
Egg retrieval and freezing
The doctor will sedate you and use transvaginal ultrasound as guidance while inserting a suction device with a needle to draw the eggs. Specialists aim to remove multiple eggs to improve the chances of birth. Next, the eggs are cooled under negative zero temperatures to preserve them for future use.
If you have further questions about diminished ovarian syndrome or any fertility preservation method, consult with your specialist today at NOVA IVF.
