Ovarian reserve depleting among urban women

New Delhi: The ovarian reserve -- pool of eggs present in the ovaries -- is depleting due the increasing sedentary lifestyle in women living in the metro cities, doctors said on Tuesday.

Apart from the depletion in ovarian reserve, doctors also observed that women are having menopause at an earlier age than the usual, which is around 48 to 50 years.

"Urban lifestyle depletes the number and deteriorates egg quality prematurely in women. With the increasing age, the body is affected by poor dietary intake, poor blood circulation, disturbed hormonal balance, autoimmune disorders, and other health problems. Women do not realise but their ovarian reserve is depleting due to the sedentary lifestyle," said Arvind Vaid, an IVF specialist at Indira IVF Hospital here.

According to Vaid, the dietary and lifestyle choices make one improve the quality and health of eggs.

Experts urged women aged above 35 to undergo Anti-Mullerian Hormone(AMH) test to know about the status of the ovarian reserve and also in evaluating ovarian function and possibly in predicting the onset of menopause.

AMH is a hormone secreted by cells in developing egg sacs (follicles). 

"These tests are also useful in evaluating ovarian function and possibly in predicting the onset of menopause which is usually around the age of 45 years. With the changes in lifestyle and the urban area's ambience, woman's ovarian reserve is depleting before time," said Anuja Singh, a senior Patna-based IVF expert.

A low level of AMH reflects poor ovarian response, she said.

"For a good correlation and comprehensive evaluation, it is usually done along with other hormone tests and a transvaginal ultrasound (to count the number of follicles as a reflection of the woman's egg reserve)," said Singh.