Women are born with millions of eggs (5-7 million); however, the number of eggs decreases progressively from birth (1-2 million) to puberty (500,000) and then menopause (1,000). The eggs age at different rates among women regardless of their health status. In general, the quality of a woman's eggs decreases progressively from puberty. More rapid decreases in quality begin at the age of 35, leading to a woman's difficulty in conceiving naturally in her late 30s and 40s. Unfortunately, for some women, the quality of their eggs decline as early as their 20s.

Many women wish they had known that their eggs were aging at a faster rate than normal. With the advancement in egg freezing over the last five years, more women would benefit from knowing the status of their egg quantity as early as possible. Women whose egg quantity is decreased may consider preserving their fertility by freezing eggs or embryos before further compromise occurs based on age or other medical factors.

There are also women whose mother or siblings have experienced infertility or were diagnosed with decreased egg quantity at a young age. These women would benefit greatly from understanding their egg health early in their lives.

Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine (ACRM) offers women an opportunity to determine the current status of their ovarian reserve through ACRM's Fertility Assessment Program. In order to qualify, women must be under the age of 40, not be planning to conceive within the next six months and desire information about her current fertility status.

These tests can be scheduled at any time during the menstrual cycle.

The following services are included in ACRM's Fertility Assessment Program:

• New patient consult
• Baseline ultrasound of the uterus and antral follicle count to measure egg quantity
• Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) blood test assessment of the quantity of eggs
• Regroup office appointment to review test results

The technology employed by ACRM for egg freezing is extremely safe and effective for providing options for those women who wish to preserve their fertility for family building at a later date. ACRM has performed over 300 egg freezing cycles. Although many of these eggs remain frozen for long-term storage and fertility preservation, more than 450 egg thawing cycles have been successfully completed. The oocyte survival rate of cryopreservation is greater than 90%. The pregnancy rate following the egg thawing, fertilization and embryo transfer is 74% with a live birth rate per transfer of 64.3%.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, please call 678-841-1089 or click here.