Considering that there are more and more cases of infertility, it is highly relevant to know the different factors that can affect both men and women, to take preventive measures and in many cases avoid major effects.
Among the causes of female infertility, one of the most frequent are those associated with ovulation, where cases occur so complex that they can even compromise the ovaries and their functionality.
Regarding this topic, there are several circumstances by which a woman may have lost an ovary. One of them is because there was a cyst or tumor that, due to its size or characteristics, required the complete removal of the ovary.
As it is known, at birth women have 2 million eggs, which they begin to lose from the very moment of their birth, in an average of a thousand eggs each month, until one day they run out and the ovary stops working. This is called menopause. It usually occurs around age 50.
Losing an ovary is then losing half of the ovarian reserve and this could mean that menopause occurs earlier and that there are fewer eggs to achieve pregnancy. Fortunately, this is not strictly so.
A woman actually spends approximately 400 eggs during her reproductive life and a single ovary can compensate and provide enough eggs for a woman’s entire reproductive life (from puberty to menopause) and to have as many children as she wants.
However, it is important to consult frequently with the specialist, constantly monitor ovulation and if hormonal studies are required to evaluate oocyte production, since it is possible that the condition that led to the loss of the ovary may be repeated (endometriosis, cysts, etc.) more likely if it has already happened once and could jeopardize the integrity of the second ovary and future fertility. This is how the woman should consider the possibility of seeking pregnancy more quickly or preserving her frozen eggs.
Germán Raigosa
Gynecologist, Fertility Specialist
inSer Group
