While the number of eggs that women are born with is genetically predetermined, there are potential ways to optimize ovarian longevity and become an ova-achiever.
Most women are born with an ovary on each side of their uterus. These almond-shaped glands produce and release eggs for fertilization and secrete the hormones estrogen and progesterone to support menstruation, pregnancy and overall health.
Alas, these vital female organs have an expiration date — and it’s earlier than you might think. Ovaries age significantly faster than other parts of the body, making their functional lifespan about 50 years.
“Ovaries follow a biologically programmed decline in both egg quantity and quality, not a uniform aging process like skin, muscle or cardiovascular tissue,” “As a result, reproductive aging often occurs faster and earlier than most other aspects of physical aging. ” While the number of eggs that women are born with is genetically predetermined, there are potential ways to optimize ovarian longevity and become an ova-achiever.
Women tend to be born with 1 million to 2 million eggs, a number that naturally decreases over time. The more good-quality eggs a woman has, But obstacles abound. Women experience a progressive decline in their egg quality and in their ovarian follicles, which house immature eggs.
Fertility wanes, increasing the risk of miscarriage or genetic abnormalities in offspring, and, eventually, “Subtle declines in egg quality begin in the late 20s to early 30s, even when cycles still appear normal,” Pero explained.
“Egg quantity tends to show more measurable decline starting around the early 30s, with a steeper drop after age 35,” she continued. “By the late 30s and early 40s, both egg quality and quantity typically decline more rapidly, even before menopause. ”That’s why it’s important to take charge of ovarian aging — it drives physical and cellular aging throughout the body. There’s not a specific test that reveals ovarian age.
Physicians often look at levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol for insight into ovarian reserve, which is the remaining egg supply.
“A transvaginal sonogram can also count the number of little eggs seen in each ovary, often called a basal antral follicle count,” Stelling said. Eating healthily, sleeping well, exercising, managing stress, avoiding smoking and limiting exposure to toxins can also support hormonal and reproductive health.
“It would be wonderful if we had a magic wand to make ovaries or any part of the body younger, but we are not really there yet,” Stelling said. Targeting ovarian stiffness is one area that’s being explored. As ovaries age, the surrounding tissue becomes rigid, inflamed and scarred. The scarring is known as fibrosis.
“It’s still too early to really know its effect in human fertility preservation or treatments, but worthy of study. ”She said some of these tools may help reduce oxidative stress in ovarian tissue, support mitochondrial function in remaining follicles and slow the rate of decline.
“But ovarian aging is fundamentally driven by the loss of a follicle pool you were born with and cannot regenerate,” Pero noted. “The goal isn’t reversal — it’s preservation, optimization and buying your body more time with the hormonal output it still has. ” Ovaries have a crucial role in producing and releasing eggs for reproduction and secreting essential sex hormones.
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