Is Ovary Size Important To Get Pregnant?
If you ever paid attention in your high school biology class, you would know that ovaries play a significant role in conception. There would be no ovulation with the ovary, and without ovulation, you would not be fertile to have a baby. Your first ovulation cycle begins when you get your first period. In other words, your first menstrual cycle occurs after your first ovulation. When a sperm fertilizes the egg, implantation occurs, which leads to pregnancy. Now that we’ve established why ovaries are essential for conception, let’s move on from the basic biology lessons and understand if ovary size plays a role in pregnancy.
You might think that the size of the ovary makes a difference when it comes to pregnancy. In theory, it makes sense because the smaller the ovary, the fewer eggs it has. However, having a large ovary might not always mean that there are a large number of eggs.
While several factors affect the size of an ovary, here are some of the most common ones:
1. Age
Age plays a role in ovary size. It is different sizes at different points in a woman’s life. A woman’s ovaries are most likely smaller in size before she hits puberty and becomes slightly larger during her most fertile years. As she grows older and comes closer to hitting her menopausal age, the ovaries may begin to become slightly smaller again. Because age affects fertility and after 30, a woman’s fertility reduces (1).
2. PCOS/PCOD
A common condition among women, PCOS/PCOD results in an imbalance in hormones causing small cysts to develop in the ovaries. Women with this condition may experience irregular periods and may have problems with getting pregnant because the ovaries might not produce eggs regularly. PCOS/PCOS can also cause weight gain and excessive body hair growth (2).
3. Ovarian Edema
Ovarian edema usually occurs in only one ovarian. It is a rare condition caused by fluid buildup in the ovarian tissues. Because of the fluid buildup that blocks blood flow and prevents lymph fluids from draining out, the ovaries may enlarge in size (3).
4. Cysts Or Tumors
It is common for benign cysts and noncancerous growths to occur in the ovaries. They are usually common and may not need treatment to resolve. However, they may cause ovaries to enlarge (4).
5. Ovarian Cancer
The worst of its kind, ovarian cancer, occurs when cancerous cells grow on the ovaries. It is more likely to occur after menopause and may lead to ovary enlargement. If you experience pelvic pain, bloating, or fatigue, it’s best to get yourself checked by a medical professional because ovarian cancer has no specific symptoms (5).
Ways To Improve Ovary And Egg Health
While the size of your ovaries might not be in your control, there are a few things you can do to improve your egg health:
- Maintain A Healthy Body Weight
Being overweight or underweight may affect your egg health. Therefore, maintain healthy body weight.
- Make Exercise A Part Of Your Daily Routine
Exercising daily improves overall well-being. It improves your physical and mental health and gives you a better quality of life. Therefore, include some form of exercise in your daily routine.
- Manage Stress
Stress can be detrimental to your health – both mentally and physically. Find a way to manage your stress levels and take a break to do something you enjoy now and then.
- Avoid Smoking And Alcohol
Smoking and consuming alcohol are bad for health. It messes with your body and can cause complications. Therefore, reduce how much you consume them or avoid them altogether.
If you’re planning to have a baby, take care of yourself and switch up to a healthy lifestyle. But remember not to beat yourself up if you’re having difficulties conceiving or any other fertility issues. Comment below and let us know if this article was helpful for you!
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