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Low ovarian reserve
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Low ovarian reserve at HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, we understand the challenges of low ovarian reserve, and we're here to support you every step of the way. More than 40% of our fertility treatment cycles occur in couples or women with low ovarian reserve. Instead of focusing on numbers alone, we take a personalised approach, using ovarian reserve markers to guide you through the best possible options.
Our goal is to help you make informed decisions while maximising your chances of success. Any chance, even a reduced one, of achieving a pregnancy with your own genetic child is precious and important.
A low ovarian reserve means you have fewer egg follicles in your ovaries than expected for your age. While this can affect your chances of conceiving, many women with low ovarian reserve have successful pregnancies with the right support and tailored treatment plan.
A follicle is a fluid-filled sac in which an egg develops, and your ovarian reserve naturally decreases over time. The number of follicles affects your chances of getting pregnant either naturally or through assisted reproductive techniques, like in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
If you're considering fertility treatment , knowing your ovarian reserve can help you plan your next steps, ensuring you receive the best care and support on your fertility journey.
Most people with a low ovarian reserve don't experience any symptoms. You may only find out you have it if you seek help for infertility. But low ovarian reserve symptoms can include:
A shorter menstrual cycle, which means you have periods more frequently
- Your periods stopping
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood changes
The number of eggs you have naturally decreases with age. And understanding the factors that affect your count can help you make more informed decisions about your fertility treatment. In some cases, ovarian reserve may decline faster due to:
- A developmental or genetic condition
- Autoimmune conditions
- Medical procedures like chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- Surgery on your ovaries or fallopian tubes
- Certain infections
- Lifestyle factors like smoking and exposure to pollutants
- Underlying causes which can't be identified
There are several tests that look at different markers for ovarian reserve. You'll usually have a combination of these tests, and the results will be used along with your age to help your specialist assess your ovarian reserve and create a personalised plan to maximise your chances of success. Ovarian reserve tests include:
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) blood test: FSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in your brain to stimulate your ovaries. FSH level is higher when you have a low number of eggs.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) blood test: AMH is a hormone produced directly by growing follicles in your ovaries. This means it's a more direct measure of ovarian function than FSH. A high AMH level means you have a greater number of eggs.
Antral follicle count: This uses a transvaginal ultrasound scan to look at the number of immature follicles (antral follicles) on your ovaries. This gives a good indication of how many eggs you have.
Ovarian volume: Your consultant may also look at how big your ovaries are during a transvaginal ultrasound. Your ovaries reduce in size as the number of eggs decreases.
Your fertility specialist may recommend ovarian reserve tests if you've been having difficulty conceiving. You can also choose to have an ovarian reserve assessment before you start trying for children to help you plan for the future.
It's still possible to get pregnant naturally if you have a low ovarian reserve, and many women go on to have successful pregnancies. But it may take longer to conceive. Assisted reproduction techniques, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), can help increase your chances of conceiving.
Your fertility specialist may recommend several fertility treatments if you have low ovarian reserve. These may include:
- Specialised IVF treatment protocols to stimulate egg growth or prevent ovulation so that eggs can be collected
- Taking fertility medications before or during an IVF cycle
- Using embryo transfer techniques to select the highest quality embryos for transfer
- Using donor eggs if necessary. This may sometimes increase the chance of pregnancy
Your consultant will go through all the possible options with you and personalise your treatment to your situation. If you're not ready to start fertility treatment straight away, you may want to consider egg freezing to help preserve your eggs for when the time is right.
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The low ovarian reserve process
What to expect
From the moment you step through the door, until the time you're ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible with us, every step of the way.
If you have any questions that aren't covered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial consultation
Your fertility journey will begin with an in-depth conversation so your fertility specialist can review your medical history, discuss your concerns and answer any questions. If you have low ovarian reserve, they'll create a personalised plan that's tailored to you.
02
Tests and scans
Your specialist will arrange a series of tests and scans. If you have low ovarian reserve, these may include blood tests to assess hormone levels, ultrasound scans to check your antral follicle count and other assessments to evaluate egg health and overall reproductive function.
03
Follow-up appointment
After your tests and scans, you'll have a follow-up appointment with your fertility specialist to discuss your results. They'll explain the findings clearly to make sure you understand your fertility health and the options available to you.
04
Discuss any next steps
Your specialist will outline the next steps and make recommendations based on your unique circumstances. If you have low ovarian reserve, this may include IVF with tailored stimulation protocols, egg freezing or making lifestyle changes that support ovarian health and fertility.
Our fertility clinics
Lister Fertility Clinic
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital
First Floor 215 Great Portland Street W1W 5PN London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Beaconsfield Clinic
Little Hall Barn Windsor End, Beaconsfield HP9 2JW Buckinghamshire
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Shard
The Shard Outpatients St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our fertility treatments can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll provide you with a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Low ovarian reserve FAQs
No, low ovarian reserve is not the same as menopause. If you have low ovarian reserve, you still have egg follicles and ovarian function remaining, which means pregnancy is still possible. While ovarian reserve naturally declines over time, the rate of change varies for everyone. Your specialist can help assess your situation and explore the best options to support your fertility journey.
Yes, many women with low ovarian reserve have successful pregnancies, either naturally or with the support of fertility treatment. Your specialist will create a tailored treatment plan to help increase your chances. They'll also support you every step of the way and answer any questions you may have.
Yes, IVF can increase the chance of pregnancy for someone with low ovarian reserve. Your consultant may recommend specialised treatment protocols or additional medications to help maximise your chances.
We know that undertaking fertility treatment can be challenging, and part of that is understanding the potential costs involved. We try hard to ensure our fees are as transparent and simple to understand as possible.
Before you start your treatment, you should receive a clear, costed treatment plan so you begin your journey knowing what your treatment should cost. The cost will depend on your treatment plan, but you can view our price list to gain a clearer understanding.
As required for a clinic that is subject to regular Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority (HFEA) inspection, the laboratory meets the highest standards for quality, safety and patient care. At HCA UK, we're proud to hold a 5/5 HFEA rating across our fertility clinics.
Patient stories
How Lister Fertility Clinic helped two fathers-to-be
Paul is sitting in his home in Belfast, with his husband Neil and their beautiful three-month-old son Felix, talking about their journey to fatherhood – a journey that the Lister Fertility Clinic, part of HCA Healthcare UK, accompanied them on.
Clare’s fertility treatment
Clare and her husband Derek thought they might never have children, until joining the egg-sharing programme at the Lister Fertility Clinic.
Alice and Aaron's fertility treatment
After being told they’d never have children, Alice and Aaron turned to the Lister Fertility Clinic. They now have a beautiful two-year-old daughter.
“Mr Benjamin Jones was introduced to me after a difficult first IVF experience. He was not only extremely empathetic but incredibly knowledgeable. He has a wonderful manner and way of explaining things.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.