Increasing diagnoses among women under 35 highlight the need for greater awareness of fertility

health and reproductive timelines

Ovarian reserve, the total number of healthy eggs remaining in a
woman's ovaries, is one of the most important indicators of reproductive potential. Every woman is
born with a finite number of eggs, and this reserve naturally declines with age. While this gradual
reduction has traditionally been associated with women in their late 30s and 40s. Specialists from
Nova IVF Fertility and Motherhood Fertility & IVF report a noticeable shift in fertility consultations
and diagnostic patterns, with younger women increasingly discovering reduced ovarian reserve
during routine fertility evaluations or while planning for future pregnancies.

Ovarian reserve is commonly assessed using an Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) blood test, which
provides an estimate of the remaining egg pool, and an Antral Follicle Count (AFC) ultrasound, which
evaluates the number of developing follicles in the ovaries. Importantly, diminished ovarian reserve
(DOR) often develops silently, with most women continuing to experience regular menstrual cycles
and no noticeable symptoms.

Data from Motherhood Fertility & IVF, Bengaluru, suggests that among women aged 28–35
undergoing fertility evaluation, approximately 30–50% recorded AMH levels below 2 ng/mL; while
14–26% had AMH levels below 1 ng/mL  both indicators of reduced ovarian reserve. Further, data
from Nova IVF Fertility, Bengaluru, shows that nearly 30% of women between 28 and 35 years of age
had AMH levels below 1.0 ng/mL, highlighting a growing need for greater awareness and earlier
fertility assessment among women in this age group.

Dr. Apurva Satish Amarnath, Fertility Specialist, Nova IVF Fertility, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru said,
"One of the biggest misconceptions we encounter is that regular menstrual cycles and a healthy
lifestyle automatically indicate normal fertility potential. Ovarian reserve can decline independently
of these factors. We are increasingly seeing young women with unexpectedly low ovarian reserve
despite having no obvious symptoms. The encouraging aspect is that when identified early, women
still have access to a range of effective reproductive options. Because egg quality is generally
preserved at younger ages, early diagnosis provides a valuable opportunity for fertility preservation
and informed family planning."

Dr. Anupama Ashok, Senior Consultant, Fertility Expert at Motherhood Fertility & IVF, Hebbal,
Bengaluru said, "A diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve can be surprising, especially for women
in their early 30s who are not actively trying to conceive. But it is important to remember that this
information empowers rather than limits. Understanding one's fertility profile early enables
informed decision-making, whether that means pursuing pregnancy sooner, exploring fertility
preservation options such as egg freezing, or simply monitoring reproductive health more closely.
Knowledge provides choices, and choices create better outcomes."

As conversations around women's health become more proactive and personalized, specialists stress
that fertility assessments should be viewed not as a response to a problem, but as a tool for
informed life planning. By understanding their reproductive health earlier, women can make
confident decisions that align with both their personal aspirations and family building goals,
ensuring that future choices remain firmly in their hands.