Is Ovary Size Important to Get Pregnant

When trying to conceive, it is natural to wonder about every aspect of your reproductive health. The question may come up often: Does the size of my ovaries matter? Yes, but let us put things in perspective. Ovary size can provide some clues about fertility, but it is just one of the many factors that would impact an individual’s ability to conceive. Most women get worried when the doctor discusses ovary size, but minor variations are perfectly normal. Let’s understand this in detail.

What is a Normal Ovary Size?

The size of your ovaries is not fixed, and minor asymmetries between the left and right ovaries are normal. In general, a healthy ovary has dimensions of about 3 to 5 centimetres in length, 1.5 to 3 centimetres in width, and 1 to 1.5 centimetres in thickness. It is to be noted that these measurements can vary slightly at different times within your menstrual cycle.

The ovaries basically have two functions. They discharge eggs every month and make hormones like oestrogen and progesterone to regulate your period cycle. When the size is in the normal range, it usually indicates a good ovarian reserve, which tells about the number of eggs you still have.

Changes in Ovary Size with Age

Ovary size is not constant throughout a woman’s life. Here is a quick overview of how it changes as you age:

Age Range	Ovary Size
Newborn	Approximately 1 cm in diameter
Puberty	Increases in size because of hormonal changes
Adulthood	Reaches maximum size, averaging 3.5 x 2 x 1 cm
Menopause	Decreases to less than 20 mm in diameter

Factors That Affect Ovarian Size

While some variation in ovary size is normal, certain factors can cause your ovaries to be larger or smaller than expected. These include:

• Age: Ovarian size naturally decreases with age, which is associated with a reduction in ovarian reserve and fertility potential.
• Pathological conditions: Benign tumours can increase ovarian size but may not directly affect fertility unless they cause ovulation disorders. Premature ovarian failure involves the ovaries stopping their function before age 40 years, resulting in smaller ovaries and reduced fertility.

• Infertility treatments: Hormonal stimulation during infertility treatments can temporarily increase ovarian size to promote egg production and release.
• Hormonal imbalances: Conditions like hypothyroidism or high prolactin levels may increase ovary size
• Pregnancy: Ovaries can become enlarged during pregnancy because of an increase in the production of hormones like oestrogen and progesterone.
• Tumours: Ovarian tumours, both benign and malignant, can cause an increase in ovary size.

Ovary Size and Egg Count: The PCOS Exception

Larger ovaries often suggest a higher number of antral follicles, meaning more potential eggs for fertilisation. This can increase fertility as more eggs are available for ovulation. However, in the case of PCOS, larger ovaries contain many follicles, but ovulation may not occur regularly or at all. This leads to irregular menstrual cycles and reduced chances of natural conception, despite the high follicle count. So, while larger ovaries might indicate more eggs, conditions like PCOS can negatively impact fertility.

Ovary Size Changes During the Menstrual Cycle

Your ovarian size is not constant, and it changes naturally at different stages of the menstrual cycle. During the first half of your period cycle, i.e., follicular phase, the ovaries are a little bit smaller because follicles are still developing. As ovulation gets close, a dominant follicle grows, thereby temporarily increasing the size of the ovary. After ovulation has taken place, the ovary may slightly reduce in size again. These fluctuations are normal and healthy signs of ovarian activity.

Ovary Size Changes During Pregnancy

Ovary size does not really change much during pregnancy. After ovulation, though, a temporary structure called the corpus luteum forms in the ovary. It remains there for the first few weeks, releasing progesterone to help the early stages of pregnancy. Because of this, the ovaries can look slightly bigger on scans. Usually, they measure about 2.5 to 5 cm long, 1.5 to 3 cm wide, and 0.6 to 2.5 cm thick, with a volume between 4 and 10 cc. Once the placenta takes over hormone production, the ovary usually shrinks back to its regular size.

Why Does the Size of the Ovary Matter for Pregnancy?

Your‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ ovaries play a critical role in fertility since they do the double function of being the source of eggs and releasing reproductive hormones like oestrogen and progesterone. The size of your ovaries can tell a lot about your reproductive health and the chances you have of getting pregnant.

Why ovary size should be taken seriously when planning a pregnancy:

Ovarian reserve: The size of the ovary is usually associated with the number of eggs that can be retrieved. It may turn out that small ovaries correspond to low ovarian reserve, thus making pregnancy harder to achieve.

Hormonal balance: Ovaries that are either very large or very small may cause a hormonal imbalance that contributes to the fertility problem, for example, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Ovulation: To get pregnant, the release of a mature egg from your ovaries during ovulation is a must. Irregular ovary size can be a factor that hinders ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌this.

How to Check Ovarian Size and Function?

When evaluating your fertility, your doctor may use various methods to assess the size and health of your ovaries. Two common techniques include:

• Ultrasound: Transvaginal ultrasounds are used to measure ovary size and help count the number of visible follicles, providing insights into your ovarian reserve.
• Blood tests: Hormonal tests, such as those measuring follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), can help evaluate ovarian function and egg supply.

These assessments, in conjunction with other factors like age and overall health, can give your fertility specialist a clearer picture of your reproductive potential.

Tips to Improve Ovary Health

Good‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ ovarian health is essential for fertility. Here are some ways to keep your ovaries healthy:

• Consume a balanced diet, and include foods that are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that will facilitate the functioning of the ovaries.
• Engage in regular exercise. Moderate physical activity helps to regulate hormone levels and also improves the blood flow to the reproductive organs.
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. They both are harmful to ovarian reserve and hormonal balance.
• Try to maintain a healthy weight. Both being underweight and overweight can impact the functioning of the ovaries.
• Handling of stress is equally important since continuous stress can upset hormone levels and ovulation. Doing yoga, meditation, or taking up a hobby can be of great help in dealing with stress.
• Do not neglect your reproductive health. Regular gynaecological check-ups and ultrasound scans will help in keeping a track of ovarian ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌health.

Flutter Your Way to Healthier Ovaries!

The Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana) is an excellent yoga pose to support ovarian health. It improves blood circulation to the pelvic region, stimulates the ovaries, and helps regulate hormone production. Regularly practising this yoga pose can support reproductive health, reduce menstrual discomfort, and improve fertility by balancing the reproductive system.

Word from An Expert

While ovary size is an important consideration in fertility, it is crucial to look at the bigger picture. A thorough evaluation of ovarian reserve, hormone levels, and overall reproductive health is essential for assessing a woman’s fertility potential. With the right knowledge and support, many women with variations in ovary size can still achieve a healthy pregnancy.~ Lipsa Mishra

FAQs

Does ovarian size increase during pregnancy?

Ovaries may appear slightly larger in early pregnancy due to the corpus luteum, but they generally return to normal size once the placenta takes over hormone production.

Does the size of the ovaries impact fertility?

Ovary size alone is not the only determinant of fertility. However, very small ovaries may indicate reduced ovarian reserve, while unusually large ovaries can be linked to conditions such as PCOS, which may affect ovulation.

How can I improve the health of my ovaries?

A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, avoiding smoking, and managing stress, can support ovarian health.

What is the minimum ovary size for pregnancy?

There is no strict minimum ovary size for conception, but very small ovaries may indicate a low ovarian reserve, which can affect the number of eggs available for fertilisation.

What is the ovary size in the case of PCOS?

Ovaries affected by PCOS are often larger than average, usually about 2 to 5 cm in length, 3 to 6 cm in width, and contain multiple small follicles visible on ultrasound.