Introduction
Have you ever thought about how many eggs a woman has and how doctors measure them? A female oocyte is an immature egg cell. These eggs are the female gametes, the reproductive cells that join with male sperm to create life. Unlike men, who produce new sperm daily, women are born with all the oocytes they will ever have.
A woman’s egg count declines over time. This drop is natural but can affect fertility, especially after the age of 35. The number of oocytes also matters for women planning to get pregnant later in life or undergoing fertility treatment. Doctors measure female oocyte count to check reproductive health and predict fertility potential. So, read on to learn what oocytes are, how age affects them, the role of AMH levels, and ways to improve egg quality.
What Are Oocytes and Gametes?
An oocyte is the scientific term for an immature egg cell in the ovary. During ovulation, one oocyte matures into an egg that can be fertilized. If sperm meets the egg, conception can occur.
Gametes are the reproductive cells in humans. In women, gametes are the eggs (oocytes), and in men, gametes are sperm cells. Both gametes carry half the genetic material needed to form a baby.
Female Egg Count by Age
Women are born with around 1–2 million oocytes. By puberty, only about 300,000 remain. Each menstrual cycle, a group of oocytes begins to mature, but only one is usually released. Here’s how female egg count by age typically changes:
| Age | Estimated Egg Count |
| Birth | 1–2 million |
| Puberty | 300,000–400,000 |
| 25 | ~150,000 |
| 35 | ~80,000 |
| 40 | ~25,000 |
| 45 | ~1,000 |
While quality is as important as quantity, both factors decline with age. This is why many women consider fertility testing before 35 if they plan to delay pregnancy.
Female Egg Size and Quality
The size of a female egg is about 0.1 millimetres, not visible to the naked eye. However, size does not indicate fertility potential. Egg quality, the health of the DNA inside the egg, plays a bigger role.
Healthy eggs have the correct number of chromosomes. However, abnormal eggs may lead to failed fertilization, miscarriage, or genetic conditions. Age, lifestyle, and medical conditions like PCOS can also impact the overall quality.
How Do Doctors Check Female Oocyte Count?
To understand a woman’s fertility potential, doctors measure her ovarian reserve, the number of eggs she has left. While no test can give an exact egg count, several medical checks can provide a reliable estimate.
1. AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) Test
This is a simple blood test that can be done at any point in the menstrual cycle. AMH is made by cells in the ovarian follicles (tiny sacs that hold immature eggs). The level of AMH in the blood reflects the number of developing follicles, and indirectly, the number of eggs left. AMH normal levels by age are listed in the table below:
| Age | AMH (ng/mL) |
| 25–29 | 3.0–5.0 |
| 30–34 | 2.5–4.5 |
| 35–39 | 1.5–3.5 |
| 40–44 | 0.5–2.0 |
Low AMH may indicate fewer eggs, but it doesn’t always mean infertility, some women with low AMH still conceive naturally.
2. Antral Follicle Count (AFC)
This is done with a transvaginal ultrasound, a small probe is inserted into the vagina to take clear images of the ovaries. The doctor counts the antral follicles, which are small fluid-filled sacs each containing an immature egg. What the results mean:
- High AFC (over 20 follicles) – Often seen in women with PCOS; may indicate many eggs but not necessarily high quality.
- Normal AFC (10–20 follicles) – Healthy egg reserve for most age groups.
- Low AFC (less than 6 follicles) – Suggests lower egg supply.
3. Blood Tests for Other Hormones
These tests give a bigger picture of how the ovaries are working. They are often done on day 2–5 of the menstrual cycle:
- FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): High FSH means the body is working harder to stimulate the ovaries, common in low egg reserve.
- Estradiol (E2): High early-cycle estradiol can be a sign of reduced ovarian reserve.
- LH (Luteinizing Hormone): Checked especially in PCOS cases, as LH can be higher than FSH in this condition.
4. Medical and Reproductive History
Lab results are always interpreted alongside personal history, including:
- Menstrual Cycle Patterns: Irregular cycles mean ovulation problems.
- Family History: Early menopause in close relatives can suggest lower reserves.
- Past Treatments: Chemotherapy, pelvic surgery, or radiation can reduce egg supply.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, extreme dieting, or high stress can also affect ovarian reserve.
AMH Test Cost and Considerations
The AMH test cost in India generally ranges from ₹800 to ₹5,000. This variation depends on factors like location, lab reputation, and whether additional consultations or packages are included. Most commonly, it falls between ₹1,000 and ₹3,000, with urban centers often at the higher end due to advanced facilities. Insurance may cover it if ordered for infertility evaluation.
How to Improve Female Egg Quality?
Egg count cannot be increased naturally, but quality can often be improved. Here are some expert recommended tips for you to follow if you are looking an answer for how to increase AMH levels and egg quality:
- Prioritize antioxidant-rich foods. Daily portions of berries, dark greens, nuts, seeds, and 2–3 weekly servings of salmon or sardines give vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, and omega-3s. These foods improve female egg quality, protect egg DNA and mitochondria.
- Add proven supplements. Coenzyme Q10 200–600 mg/day helps oocytes make energy.
- Vitamin D 2,000 IU/day and folate 400–800 µg/day support chromosome division.
- Stop all tobacco. Cigarette toxins create oxidative stress and accelerate egg loss.
- Aim for a BMI of 19–25. Extra or too little weight disturbs hormones, while dropping 5–10% restores regular cycles in many overweight women.
- Move moderately for 150 min/week. Over-intense training can raise cortisol and block ovulation, so keep workouts balanced.
- Practice daily stress control with breathing, mindfulness, or yoga. High chronic stress raises cortisol and prolactin, disrupting follicle-stimulating hormone.
- Sleep 7–9 hours each night. Short or poor sleep upsets circadian genes in the ovary and reduces fertility.
- Check health basics. Treat thyroid, insulin resistance, or vitamin D deficiency early to protect egg competence.
PCOS and AMH Levels
Women with PCOS often have higher AMH levels because they have many small follicles. However, high AMH in PCOS doesn’t mean higher egg quality. PCOS management focuses on improving ovulation and overall fertility health.
Final Thoughts: Your Fertility, Your Future
With your total female oocyte count, you can make better choices about family planning. Egg count declines naturally with age, but understanding AMH levels by age and ovarian reserve puts you in control.
If you are thinking about the next step, Femcare Fertility offers expert testing and personalized guidance. No matter if you want to conceive now or in the future, we’ll help you create a plan that works for your life. Your fertility journey is unique, start tracking it today.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Question: Can women increase their egg count?
Answer: Women are born with the total female oocyte count they will ever have. No diet, supplement, or medical treatment can create new eggs. The best approach is protecting existing eggs through healthy habits and timely family-planning.
Question: What is a good AMH level for pregnancy?
Answer: For most reproductive-age women, an AMH of roughly 1.0–3.0 ng/mL signals a reassuring ovarian reserve. Lower or higher numbers can still be normal; age and overall health matter when predicting pregnancy odds.
Question: Does low AMH mean I can’t get pregnant?
Answer: Low AMH reflects fewer remaining eggs, which is not egg quality. Many women with low AMH conceive naturally or with help such as IVF. Success depends on age, partner factors, and general reproductive health, not the AMH result alone.
Question: How often should I check my egg count?
Answer: Under 35 and not trying yet: test every few years or when planning ahead. Over 35 or actively considering pregnancy: annual testing offers better guidance for timing and treatment options.
Question: Can lifestyle changes improve AMH?
Answer: Healthy weight, balanced diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking or endocrine disruptors may slow the normal AMH decline, but they rarely raise the value. Focus on overall health to support fertility rather than chasing a specific number.