A diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) — sometimes described as 'low egg count' — is one of the most emotionally difficult things a fertility patient can hear. Understanding what DOR actually means, how it's diagnosed, and what treatment options remain available is essential for making informed decisions about your path forward.
What Diminished Ovarian Reserve Actually Means
Ovarian reserve refers to the quantity and quality of eggs remaining in a woman's ovaries. All women are born with a finite number of eggs, and this number declines continuously from before birth through menopause. DOR is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests and ultrasound findings. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is the most reliable blood marker — produced by small follicles in the ovaries, AMH levels correlate closely with remaining follicle pool. Antral follicle count (AFC) — a count of small follicles visible on baseline ultrasound — provides complementary information.
Why DOR Doesn't Mean Infertility
One crucial point to understand: diminished ovarian reserve indicates lower quantity of eggs, but doesn't necessarily indicate poor egg quality in younger patients. A 30-year-old woman with low AMH still has the excellent egg quality typical of her age — she simply has fewer eggs to work with. Many women with DOR conceive successfully with fertility treatment, though treatment response may differ from patients with normal ovarian reserve.
IVF With Diminished Ovarian Reserve
IVF remains a viable option for many DOR patients, with treatment protocols modified to optimize response in low-reserve ovaries. Embryo banking — accumulating embryos from multiple retrieval cycles before attempting transfer — may be recommended for DOR patients with significantly reduced expected egg yields per cycle.
The Fertility Institute of San Diego specializes in treating patients with complex diagnoses including diminished ovarian reserve, offering individualized protocols developed by experienced reproductive endocrinologists who understand the nuances of low-reserve fertility treatment.
Donor Egg Options
For patients with severely diminished ovarian reserve or repeated IVF cycle failures using own eggs, donor egg IVF offers excellent pregnancy rates regardless of recipient age. Success rates for donor egg IVF typically range from 45–65% per transfer, largely independent of the recipient's age.
Explore all available fertility treatment options at the Fertility Institute of San Diego, including donor egg programs, personalized IVF protocols for DOR, and comprehensive fertility evaluation services that provide a complete picture of your reproductive potential.