Ovarian reserve refers to the number and quality of your eggs, also known as oocytes. If you have diminished ovarian reserve, this means that the number and quality of your eggs are lower than expected for your age. Diminished ovarian reserve can affect people of all ages.
Aging naturally reduces your egg reserves. However, several other factors can cause diminished ovarian reserve. These include:
- Tubal disease
- Endometriosis
- Prior ovarian surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Smoking
- Pelvic infection
- Autoimmune disorders
- Mumps
- Genetic abnormalities such as fragile X syndrome