What Should You Do if You Have a Low Egg Reserve?

Low egg reserve — also called diminished ovarian reserve — means the number and quality of eggs in your ovaries has declined. It’s one of the more common reasons women seek IVF, and while it does affect your options, it doesn’t automatically mean you can’t get pregnant.

What Is Low Egg Reserve and What Causes It?

Women are born with all the eggs they’ll ever have. As you age, that supply naturally decreases. By puberty, about one-third remain. Each month, eggs are lost whether or not fertilization occurs, and this process can’t be reversed.

Low egg reserve is diagnosed in 10–30% of women who see a specialist for IVF. It’s often linked to age, but not always. Other causes include genetic conditions, previous ovarian surgery, certain autoimmune disorders, and aggressive cancer treatments. In many cases, theres no clear explanation at all.

Understanding how age affects egg quality can help you understand why your doctor may recommend acting sooner rather than later.

How Is Low Egg Reserve Diagnosed?

Your doctor will typically run a few tests to assess your ovarian reserve:

• AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) blood test — measures the hormone produced by follicles; lower levels suggest fewer eggs remaining
• Antral follicle count (AFC) — an ultrasound that counts visible follicles in the ovaries
• FSH and estradiol blood tests — taken on day 3 of your cycle to check ovarian function

These tests together give your doctor a clearer picture of how your ovaries are responding and what treatment approach makes the most sense for you.

Can You Still Do IVF With Low Egg Reserve?

Yes — IVF is one of the most effective options for women with diminished ovarian reserve, even if success rates per cycle may be lower than average. Your doctor will use IVF stimulation medications to encourage your ovaries to produce as many mature eggs as possible before retrieval.

FSH medications like Gonal-F or Meriofert are commonly used in stimulation protocols. Your doctor may also recommend higher doses or modified protocols to maximize the number of eggs retrieved.

After retrieval, fertilized eggs are monitored in the lab for 5–7 days. If you choose Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), embryos are screened for chromosomal abnormalities around day 5. Only healthy embryos are transferred, which helps lower the risk of miscarriage and improves the chances of a successful pregnancy — especially important when the number of embryos available is limited.

What Is Egg Donation and When Is It Recommended?

If your own egg supply is too low or egg quality is a significant barrier, donor eggs are a well-established alternative. Your doctor works with a third-party egg donation agency to match you with a screened donor — or you may use eggs from a willing family member or friend.

All donors go through thorough physical and psychological evaluations, family medical history reviews, and genetic screening. Many programs share general characteristics like physical traits or educational background. IVF then proceeds normally using the donor eggs.

Egg donation doesn’t affect your ability to carry the pregnancy. Many women with very low ovarian reserve achieve successful pregnancies this way. You can also explore egg freezing as a way to preserve your options if you’re not ready to start IVF right away.

What Else Can You Do to Protect Your Egg Reserve?

While you can’t reverse egg loss, you can support overall egg health. Regular moderate exercise and a nutrient-rich diet are a good start. Avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and managing stress all matter too. If you’ve been told your reserve is borderline, acting sooner gives you more options.

For a full picture of the IVF process and what to expect, read our guide on how IVF works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get pregnant naturally with low egg reserve?

It’s possible, but more difficult. Low ovarian reserve reduces the number of eggs available each cycle, lowering the monthly chance of conception. Many women with this diagnosis do conceive naturally, but most doctors recommend not waiting too long before seeking help.

Does low egg reserve mean poor egg quality?

Not necessarily. Reserve refers to quantity — how many eggs remain. Quality is a separate issue, though the two are often related in older women. You can have low reserve with good quality eggs, especially if you’re younger.

What medications are used in IVF for low ovarian reserve?

Doctors typically use FSH-based stimulation medications like Gonal-F, sometimes combined with HMG products like Menopur, to stimulate the ovaries. Protocols are often adjusted to protect the remaining eggs while maximizing response.

How many eggs do you need for a successful IVF cycle?

There’s no magic number, but more eggs retrieved generally means more embryos to choose from. With PGT testing, even 1–2 healthy embryos can lead to a successful transfer. Quality matters more than quantity.

Can I order IVF medications through Fast IVF?

Yes. Fast IVF is a leading international IVF medication provider carrying European-brand medications at significantly lower prices than US retail. A valid prescription is required. Request a free quote to get pricing for your full protocol.

A low egg reserve diagnosis isn’t the end of the road — it’s a starting point for finding the right plan. Whether you’re moving forward with your own eggs or exploring donation, Fast IVF can help you keep medication costs manageable. Get a free quote today.