The ovary is a small, almond-shaped organ located in the pelvis. The ovaries produce eggs, or ova, released into the fallopian tubes during ovulation. The eggs travel down the fallopian tubes and are fertilized by sperm in the outer third of the tube. The fertilized egg, or embryo, then implants itself in the lining of the uterus, where it begins to grow and develop. In this article, we’ll read about is Ovary size important to get pregnant and the best ways to improve ovarian and oocyte health
Table of content
- Normal ovary size
- Major factors that affect the size of the ovary
- Best ways to improve ovarian and oocyte health.
- PCOS ovary size
- Does Having Large Ovaries Increase Your Chances to Reproduce?
- How do you diagnose the size of the ovaries?
- Menopause and the ovary’s size
- Is Ovary Size Important to Get Pregnant? FAQs
Your ovaries’ size affects how simple it is to become pregnant because smaller ovaries indicate a woman’s lower-than-average egg reserve. Although larger ovaries, it doesn’t mean that a woman has a significant egg reserve. There are a number of reasons why ovaries might change in size. Let’s go through them below.
Normal ovary size
The normal ovary size is 2.5cm x 1.5cm x 3cm. The egg is not visible to the naked eye. It is best observed under a microscope. It is usually 100 microns in diameter and is the largest cell in the human body.
You should know that very large ovaries suggest PCOs where there may be an absence of ovulation or anovulation. Whereas, the very small ovaries may have decreased the number of eggs and may suggest imminent menopause.
Major factors that affect the size of the ovary
A woman’s ovaries might vary in size multiple times throughout her life. The following are some of the factors that can affect the size of ovaries.
- Age
The size of the ovaries varies with age. The size is maximum in the reproductive years and towards menopause, the ovaries shrink as the follicles within the ovaries get depleted. The normal ovary size in mm is 30 mm long, 25 mm wide, and 15 mm thick. In other words, the normal ovary size in cm is 3 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, and 1.5 cm thick.
Normal Ovary Size By Age
| Age(years) | Volume(cc) |
| <30 | 14 -15 |
| 31 – 40 | 13 |
| 41 – 50 | 11 |
| 51- 60 | 5 -6 |
| Above 60 | 4 – 5 |
- Hormonal Conditions
Many hormonal conditions can also affect the size of the ovaries. For instance, women with PCOS have bulky pearly white-coloured ovaries, and Women with premature ovarian failure or diminished ovarian reserve have very small ovaries which are shrunken. - Infertility Treatment
During infertility treatment, a woman receives hormone injections. These cause the development of multiple follicles and make the ovaries vascular and bulky. - Pregnancy
Early pregnancy increases the size of the ovaries due to the secretion of estrogen and progesterone. The ovaries may remain bulky throughout pregnancy. - Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling
When the ovaries do not ovulate due to PCOS, one of the treatments for this is Laparoscopic ovarian drilling, scientifically called Laparoscopic Electrocauterisation of the ovarian surface. - Ovarian Cyst Removal
There are different types of ovarian cysts. We will talk about benign ovarian cysts which come up due to hormone imbalance or sometimes due to non-ovulation of the egg from the ovarian follicle. This is called a follicular cyst and is the most typical type of cyst.
A Corpus Luteum cyst is formed after ovulation. Fluid accumulates in the corpus luteum and forms a corpus luteum cyst.
Endometriosis within the ovary forms an Endometrioma or a Chocolate cyst. This can cause a lot of pain and swelling and also cause infertility.
A Dermoid cyst is a benign cyst that originates from embryonic cells. It may contain Hair, teeth and sebaceous material. Ovarian cysts may require removal if they increase in size, cause pain or swelling, undergo twisting and torsion or turn malignant. Sometimes an ectopic pregnancy can occur on the ovary requiring its removal.
Also Read: Foods To Improve Female Egg Quality
Best ways to improve ovarian and oocyte health.
Taking care of your ovarian health is essential. Here we have mentioned a list of the most valuable ways to improve the health of the ovary and oocytes. Read about how to improve your ovarian health.
Maintain a healthy body weight
You may not know that obesity can affect a woman’s ability to have children. Extra weight can cause problems with ovulation and pregnancy. It’s also been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy complications.
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for overall health and can help improve ovarian and oocyte health.
Maintain a healthy diet
High fats and low carbs reduce inflammation in your body and may help improve blood supply to the ovaries.
Avocados, olive oils, eggs, green leafy vegetables, fruits and nuts, fish oil and omega3, are helpful supplements.
Adequate folic acid, Vit B complex and Vit D3 boost the energy of the ovaries. Co-Enzyme Q 10 is helpful, and Resveratrol, which is made from Red grapes, is also beneficial. Zinc also increases the energy of the eggs. Maintaining a healthy body weight is one of the best ways to improve ovary and oocyte health.
Exercise daily
Exercising daily helps improve ovary health. Regular exercise will help you keep your ovaries in good condition. It doesn’t have to be intense; even an hour of yoga, 30 minutes of walking and running, or a combination of the three, can help you maintain your health.
Adequate sleep is important.
Adequate sleep is essential for overall health and well-being and significant for women trying to conceive. Research has shown that getting enough sleep can improve ovarian health and oocyte quality.
Furthermore, inadequate sleep has increased rates of early miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities in embryos.
Say no to alcohol and smoking.
For one, smoking and drinking can damage the ovaries and egg cells, leading to reduced fertility and an increased risk of miscarriage. Smoking, in particular, has been linked with an increased risk of early menopause, while drinking alcohol can lead to congenital disabilities and other pregnancy complications.
In addition, it can help to improve overall health and well-being. This, in turn, can help to increase fertility rates and the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
PCOS ovary size
How can Polycystic ovaries be identified?
Women with Polycystic ovaries have ovaries which are double or more than double the size of normal ovaries. They contain multiple follicles. About 15 to 20 follicles are visualised on ultrasound in each ovary. The outer covering of the ovary is pearly white with a smooth surface due to the absence of ovulation. Such ovaries are best visualised through transvaginal ultrasound.
Uterus normal size
The normal uterus is 8 cm long, 5 cm in width and 4 cm thick. The uterus of women who have given birth to children is larger. The size of the uterus is increased in the presence of fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis and bicornuate uterus.
Moreover, the normal uterus size is 75 mm long, 50 mm wide and 25 mm thick. The normal weight of the Uterus is 30-40 grams on average!
Does Having Large Ovaries Increase Your Chances to Reproduce?
That is not always true. A normal size ovary which is appropriate for the woman’s age has good chances of producing healthy eggs and therefore allows for pregnancy. Smaller ovaries can imply less number of eggs, so the depletion of the eggs can prevent conception.
How do you diagnose the size of the ovaries?
The size of the ovaries can be diagnosed with an ultrasound or a blood test. The size of the ovaries is best seen on transvaginal pelvic ultrasounds. Advanced ultrasound techniques using colour doppler and using 3 D and 4-D ultrasounds give better imaging of the ovaries.
Menopause and the ovary’s size
Having big or small ovaries affects the menopause arrival?
Yes, generally speaking, the smaller size of the ovaries may suggest depletion of the eggs and the ovarian reserve. This can result in early menopause.
You should know that low ovarian size is known to be normal. If a woman has a less count of follicles then she will have a high chance of getting menopause early. A woman with a big ovarian size might get into menopause late.
How does menopause affect the size of the ovaries?
The ovaries are responsible for producing eggs and the hormone estrogen. During menopause, the ovaries gradually stop producing eggs and the levels of estrogen and progesterone decline. This can cause the ovaries to shrink in size. The decrease in estrogen can also lead to other changes in the body, such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and vaginal dryness. Menopause is a natural process that typically occurs around age 50.
The size of the ovary will decrease and it will be reduced to 20 mm long 7.5 mm wide and 10 mm thick.
FAQs About Is Ovary Size Important to Get Pregnant?
How many ovaries does a female have?
A woman is born with two ovaries usually. Sometimes if one side of the reproductive system does not develop, there may be a smaller streak ovary, or the ovary may be absent.
Right or left ovary – which one is better for pregnancy?
Both ovaries contribute equally to pregnancy.
What is the normal ovary size in mm?
The average size of an ovary in mm should be somewhere around 30 mm long, 25 mm wide, and 15 mm thick.
What is the normal ovary size in cm?
The average ovary size in cm is 3 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, and 1.5 cm thick.