Unlike most cells in the body, the female reproductive system has one peculiarity. A woman carries a supply of eggs (oocytes) from birth – and no new ones are added during her lifetime. This is why female fertility is limited by age.
How do eggs develop?
During intrauterine development, the ovaries are formed, and around the 20th week of fetal pregnancy, the number of oocytes reaches its peak – up to 6–7 million. From that moment on, their number begins to decline. Most of the cells die naturally, and at the time of birth, about 1–2 million remain. A girl enters puberty with approximately 300–400 thousand.
What happens during a woman's life?
Each menstrual cycle "consumes" hundreds to thousands of oocytes, but only one of them (rarely more) actually matures and is ready for fertilization. The others disappear irretrievably.
Approximately 400-500 eggs are released in a lifetime.
As the supply decreases, so does the chance of conception. When the oocytes are depleted, menopause usually occurs.
Why is this important?
The finite number of eggs explains why a woman's fertility is not unlimited. As she ages, not only do their quantity decline, but the quality of her eggs also declines . Older oocytes are more likely to carry genetic defects, which can make it more difficult to get pregnant or increase the risk of complications.
Simply put: your egg supply is like a “savings account” that you carry with you from childhood. Every month, you draw from it – and eventually it runs out completely.
What does this mean for women today?
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Age plays a role – with increasing age, both the quantity and quality of eggs decrease.
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Lifestyle has an influence - smoking, alcohol, stress and poor diet can speed up the process.
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Supporting egg quality is possible – a healthy diet, enough sleep, and targeted supplements (e.g. coenzyme Q10, myo-inositol, or an active form of folate) can help maintain their quality.
The number of eggs you have cannot be changed – it is set at birth. But the quality of the ones you have left can be influenced. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking appropriate supplements are therefore key to supporting fertility at any age.
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