Female Fertility and Everyoung Health Method

Understanding the Ovarian Reserve

Widespread Misconceptions

Clinical Considerations

Menstrual Phase

• Duration: Day 1 to Day 5
• Hormones: Low levels of estrogen and progesterone.
• Physiology: This phase begins with menstruation, marking the shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium) built up in the previous cycle. The low levels of estrogen and progesterone signal the body to shed this lining, resulting in menstrual bleeding.
• Behavioral and Mood Influences: The decline in estrogen and progesterone can contribute to mood swings, irritability, and feelings of sadness or emotional sensitivity, often associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Follicular Phase

• Duration: Day 1 to Day 13
• Hormones: Rising levels of estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
• Physiology: Concurrently starting with the menstrual phase, the follicular phase involves the pituitary gland secreting FSH, which stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles. One follicle becomes dominant, and as it matures, it produces estrogen, which helps rebuild the uterine lining.
• Behavioral and Mood Influences: Increasing estrogen levels are associated with heightened mood, increased energy, and general well-being. This is often considered the phase where many women feel at their best, both physically and emotionally.

Ovulation

• Duration: Day 14
• Hormones: Luteinizing hormone (LH), a peak in estrogen.
• Physiology: Physiologically, the increase in estrogen produced by the dominant follicle initiates a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), which triggers ovulation - the release of the mature egg from the ovary. This event marks the fertile window of the menstrual cycle. It is important to note that while ovulation itself occurs on a single day, the opportunity for pregnancy is extended because sperm can survive within the uterus for up to five days. Therefore, although the egg is viable for fertilization for only about 24 hours after ovulation, the combination of the egg'segg's viability and the sperm'ssperm's longevity in the female reproductive tract significantly broadens the actual fertile window, making pregnancy possible over several days surrounding ovulation.
• Behavioral and Mood Influences: The estrogen peak may further enhance mood, but as ovulation occurs, some women report heightened senses, increased libido, and sometimes ovulatory pain (mittelschmerz).
  
  

Luteal Phase

• Duration: Day 15 to Day 28
• Hormones: Progesterone, estrogen.
• Physiology: After ovulation, the ruptured follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone and some estrogen. Progesterone prepares the uterus for potential pregnancy by thickening the endometrium. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, decreasing progesterone and estrogen levels.
• Behavioral and Mood Influences: The increase in progesterone can induce symptoms of PMS, such as bloating, mood swings, and irritability. For some, this phase is associated with decreased energy levels and heightened emotional sensitivity. The drop in hormone levels if pregnancy does not occur can also lead to the onset of menstruation, completing the cycle.

Clinical Significance

How is it Done?

• Ovarian Stimulation begins with the woman undergoing hormonal treatment for approximately 10-14 days. This involves administering synthetic hormones to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs during one menstrual cycle, as opposed to the single egg that normally matures each month.
• Egg Retrieval. Once the eggs have matured, they are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure called transvaginal ovarian aspiration. This involves inserting an ultrasound probe into the vagina to locate the follicles that contain the eggs. A needle is then used to extract the eggs from the follicles.
• Cryopreservation. The retrieved eggs are then frozen using a technique called vitrification. Vitrification is a fast-freezing process that prevents the formation of ice crystals, which could damage the egg. The eggs are cooled to a very low temperature (-196°C) and stored in liquid nitrogen.

Restrictions and Considerations

• Age. The success of egg freezing depends on the age at which the eggs are frozen. Younger women (ideally under 35) tend to have healthier eggs, which increases the chances of success.
• Health. Certain health conditions may affect the viability of the eggs or the safety of the ovarian stimulation process.
• Legal and Ethical. There may be legal and ethical considerations, including the storage period of the eggs and decisions regarding their use or disposal in the future. Many women have donated unused eggs to scientists, and that is a concept that sometimes raises ethical questions, too.

Success Rate

Functioning in Fertility

Pros

• Empowerment. Allows women to plan their families on their timelines.
• Preservation. Offers an opportunity to preserve fertility for women undergoing treatments (e.g., chemotherapy) that may affect their fertility.
• Genetic Preservation. Enables women to preserve their genetic material at a younger age.

Cons

• Cost. The process can be expensive, including costs for the procedure, medication, and long-term storage.
• Emotional and Physical Toll. The process can be emotionally challenging and physically demanding.
• No Guarantee. There's no guarantee of pregnancy after using frozen eggs, and success rates can vary. We have seen this question becoming especially prominent if a woman wants to have many children (using the "frozen eggs"),
• Ethical Considerations. It raises ethical questions about reproductive rights, genetic preservation, and the implications of delayed parenthood.

Therefore, egg freezing is a complex, multifaceted procedure with significant benefits and considerations. Everyoung.com partners in all regions we operate in can point you to our partners and reputable locations where high-quality services are provided. Contact us to get more information.