Did you know that women are born with all the eggs we will ever make in their lifetime?
Women are born with approximately one to two million eggs or oocytes in their ovaries. It seems like a lot, doesn’t it? Unfortunately with human nature, most of your eggs will be lost before you reach puberty, leaving you will approximately 300,000 to 400,000 eggs and it is estimated that women sometimes lose as many as 1000 a month over their fertile years.
Sometimes women lose more or begin to see the decline in egg number earlier than normal. Approximately 1 in 1000 will experience premature ovarian failure before the age of 30 and around 1 in 100 will experience this before they turn 40.
It is a distressing and difficult situation many women find themselves facing, but what causes this and is there anything you can do to stop the decline?
The actual causes of premature ovarian failure are generally unknown; however, research has suggested that toxins used in chemotherapy, chromosomal defects and certain autoimmune diseases can result in a rapid decline of eggs. In some instances, there is a genetic component to premature ovarian failure and in other times, the cause is simply unknown, which can be extremely frustrating.
Some of the symptoms that women experience is generally similar to menopause, which can range from hot flushes at night, difficulty getting pregnant and irregular periods. The diagnosis of premature ovarian failure often results in a long term physical and psychological impact, so it is essential to reach out and ensure there is appropriate support available.
Is there anything that can “fix” this?
Unfortunately, there is very little that can be done to slow or reverse the process at the moment, however this does not mean you cannot get pregnant, it just means the journey may feel a little more complex.
It’s important to know that when it comes to fertility treatment, we focus on the quality of your eggs and not the quantity, which is why at Fertility First we are very much focused on your health and wellbeing. Helping to improve your egg quality is a way you can take back control and it generally comes down to adjusting your lifestyle.
Eating a diet that is rich in antioxidants to help reduce your body’s levels of oxidative stress, ensuring you’re getting an adequate amount of exercise and reducing exposure to pollutants and chemicals has been shown to boost egg quality and improve your chances of conceiving.
Facing the prospect of having to undergo fertility treatment sooner than you expected can place a large amount of pressure on relationships, your mental health and add to the frustration you may also be experiencing.
Fertility First offers a range of treatment options that can help make your journey easier and help alleviate the stress you may be experiencing due to this difficult situation.
Some women experiencing premature ovarian failure may look to the option of using donor eggs to help create their family. This may be a difficult decision to make and adds further to the stress they may be feeling. Most women will find that donor eggs are difficult to access and, in some cases, they will be required to travel overseas or join a long waiting list.
At Fertility First, we offer a premium donor egg program designed to help all women gain access to quality eggs at an affordable cost, without the need to travel overseas or join an extensive waiting list. We find that women suffering from premature ovarian failure are already experiencing a substantial amount of stress, we aim to make the process as easy as possible.
