Sarang-i Women's Clinic
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Sarang-i Women's Clinic
2F–3F, Apple Tower, 69 Baekjegobun-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea
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02 - 419 - 7501
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02 - 419 - 7588
Institution
Sarang-i Women's Clinic
Representative
Hyung-Jae Won and 2 others
Business No.
230-90-13223

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Diminished Ovarian Reserve

Personalized treatment for patients with diminished ovarian reserve.

  • About Sarang-i
  • Patient Guide
  • Fertility Care
  • Specialty Clinics
  • Gynecology
  • Sarang-i Story
  • Low Ovarian Reserve
  • Endometrial Care
  • Repeated Implantation Failure
  • Recurrent Miscarriage
  • Fertility Preservation
  • Egg Banking
Life · Love · FamilyLife · Love · FamilyLife · Love · FamilyLife · Love · Family

What is Diminished Ovarian Reserve?

Diminished ovarian reserve refers to a condition where the number of remaining follicles in the ovaries is lower than expected for the age,
or the ovarian response to stimulation in fertility treatment is expected to be low.

A low ovarian function test result alone cannot determine the possibility of natural conception.
It is important to consider age, menstrual history, ovarian reserve tests, and other infertility factors together.

Diminished ovarian reserve illustration
Indications

When to check ovarian function

Not all women need ovarian function testing.
Testing may be considered when preparing for pregnancy or when risk factors for diminished ovarian reserve are present.

01

Preparing for pregnancy after age 35

Ovarian reserve and fertility naturally change with increasing age.

02

History of ovarian surgery

Surgeries for ovarian cysts or endometriosis may affect ovarian reserve.

03

Family history of early menopause

Family history is one factor considered when evaluating ovarian function.

04

Before or after chemotherapy / radiation

Fertility preservation counseling may be considered before treatments that can affect ovarian function.

05

Previous poor ovarian response

If fewer follicles grew than expected during IVF, ovarian reserve can be reassessed.

Indications

When to check ovarian function

Not all women need ovarian function testing.
Testing may be considered when preparing for pregnancy or when risk factors for diminished ovarian reserve are present.

01

Preparing for pregnancy after age 35

Ovarian reserve and fertility naturally change with increasing age.

02

History of ovarian surgery

Surgeries for ovarian cysts or endometriosis may affect ovarian reserve.

03

Family history of early menopause

Family history is one factor considered when evaluating ovarian function.

04

Before or after chemotherapy / radiation

Fertility preservation counseling may be considered before treatments that can affect ovarian function.

05

Previous poor ovarian response

If fewer follicles grew than expected during IVF, ovarian reserve can be reassessed.

0105
Testing

Testing methods for diminished ovarian reserve

We evaluate current ovarian reserve through AMH testing, antral follicle count (AFC) ultrasound, and basal hormone tests when needed.

1

AMH Test

Blood test-based evaluation

A test that measures Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) in the blood.
Since AMH is secreted from small follicles in the ovaries, it is used to evaluate ovarian reserve
and predict the expected response to ovarian stimulation in fertility treatment.
Test values alone do not determine natural conception probability or egg quality.

0103
2

Antral Follicle Count (AFC)

Ultrasound-based evaluation

Checks the number of small antral follicles visible in both ovaries during early menstrual cycle via transvaginal ultrasound. AFC, together with AMH, can be used to assess ovarian reserve and predict expected response to ovarian stimulation. It also helps evaluate ovarian morphology and screen for other ovarian conditions.

0103
3

Basal Hormone Test

Selective additional evaluation

When needed, FSH and estradiol (E2) levels can be checked during early menstrual cycle. When AMH is very low, menstrual patterns have changed, or additional information about ovarian function is needed, these tests can provide a more comprehensive picture of the current status.

0103
0103
Fertility Care

Diminished Ovarian Reserve and Fertility Treatment

There is no established treatment to increase remaining follicles or restore ovarian reserve. Therefore, we plan how to utilize remaining ovarian function by considering age, ovarian function tests, infertility duration, and other factors.

STEP 01
STEP 02
STEP 03
If preparing for pregnancy now

Plan pregnancy attempts after confirming ovulation

If ovulation is occurring and other conditions like tubal patency and semen analysis are favorable, natural conception can be attempted, or ovulation induction and IUI may be considered. Ovarian function test values alone do not determine natural conception possibilities.

Key ChecksOvulation · Tubal Status · Semen Analysis · Infertility Duration
If time-sensitive treatment is needed

IVF treatment is individually planned

IVF may be selected considering age, infertility duration, ovarian reserve, and previous stimulation response. AMH and AFC help predict the number of eggs retrievable after ovarian stimulation, and low values alone do not limit IVF treatment possibilities.

Key ChecksStimulation Method · Expected Follicle Response · Egg Retrieval · Embryo Transfer
If pregnancy is not planned yet

Egg freezing and fertility preservation can be discussed

If you are not currently planning pregnancy but are concerned about age or declining ovarian function, egg freezing may be considered after evaluating current ovarian reserve and expected response. The number of storable eggs and future pregnancy outcomes may vary by age and individual condition.

Key ChecksOvarian Function Assessment · Ovarian Stimulation · Egg Retrieval · Egg Freezing
Fertility Care

Diminished Ovarian Reserve and Fertility Treatment

There is no established treatment to increase remaining follicles or restore ovarian reserve. Therefore, we plan how to utilize remaining ovarian function by considering age, ovarian function tests, infertility duration, and other factors.

STEP 01
If preparing for pregnancy now

Plan pregnancy attempts after confirming ovulation

If ovulation is occurring and other conditions like tubal patency and semen analysis are favorable, natural conception can be attempted, or ovulation induction and IUI may be considered. Ovarian function test values alone do not determine natural conception possibilities.

Key ChecksOvulation · Tubal Status · Semen Analysis · Infertility Duration
If time-sensitive treatment is needed

IVF treatment is individually planned

IVF may be selected considering age, infertility duration, ovarian reserve, and previous stimulation response. AMH and AFC help predict the number of eggs retrievable after ovarian stimulation, and low values alone do not limit IVF treatment possibilities.

Key ChecksStimulation Method · Expected Follicle Response · Egg Retrieval · Embryo Transfer
If pregnancy is not planned yet

Egg freezing and fertility preservation can be discussed

If you are not currently planning pregnancy but are concerned about age or declining ovarian function, egg freezing may be considered after evaluating current ovarian reserve and expected response. The number of storable eggs and future pregnancy outcomes may vary by age and individual condition.

Key ChecksOvarian Function Assessment · Ovarian Stimulation · Egg Retrieval · Egg Freezing
Q & A

Diminished Ovarian Reserve

AMH is useful for predicting the amount of remaining follicles and ovarian stimulation response. However, it is not a standalone test for determining natural conception possibilities. Age, ovulation status, tubal condition, and male factors must also be considered.

They are not the same. Diminished ovarian reserve means a reduced number of remaining follicles, while menstruation and ovulation may still be maintained. Premature ovarian failure is a separate clinical condition where ovarian function decline and menstrual abnormalities occur before age 40.

There is no established method to increase the number of remaining follicles and restore ovarian reserve. Rather than trying to raise test values, it is more important to determine appropriate treatment timing based on current ovarian function, age, and pregnancy plans.

If you plan to conceive in the future but are not ready now, fertility preservation options like egg freezing can be discussed after assessing ovarian reserve and age. The number of retrievable eggs and outcomes may vary by individual.

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