Nowadays, a large number of women are delaying becoming mothers due to career, personal or health reasons. In such a situation, egg freezing has emerged as an important option for women to preserve their fertility. However, when it comes to egg freezing, there are two medical terms most commonly heard: egg quality and egg quantity. Although the names sound similar, their meanings and effects are quite different.
Many women believe that having more eggs increases the chances of pregnancy, while some believe that only the quality matters. However, fertility experts say that both are important, although their importance is not equal. Age, lifestyle and reproductive health directly affect egg quality and egg count, so it is very important to take the right decision at the right time.
According to Dr. Madhu Goyal, Obstetrics and Gynecology at Fortis Hospital, Greater Kailash, “Understanding the difference between egg quality and quantity helps women have the right expectations and make better decisions.”
What does egg quality really mean?
Egg quality means the internal health of the egg. A good quality egg is one that has the right number of chromosomes, allowing fertilization to form a healthy embryo. Dr. Madhu Goyal says that after the age of 30, egg quality gradually starts decreasing. This increases the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, which can affect pregnancy and fetal development. Eggs frozen at an early age not only thaw better, but they also have a higher chance of a successful pregnancy.
What is egg quantity?
Egg quantity means the number of eggs present in the ovary. It is usually detected with an anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) blood test or ultrasound scan. Although it is normal for the number of eggs to decrease with age, it is important to understand that having more eggs does not mean that they are all healthy. “Sometimes a woman may have a higher number of eggs but poorer quality, while other women may have fewer eggs but healthier eggs,” she explains.
Quality vs. Quantity: Which is More Important?
In the case of egg freezing, egg quality is a little more important. A healthy egg has a higher chance of being fertilized and developing into a viable embryo than several poor quality eggs. But this does not mean that quantity does not matter. Not every frozen egg survives the thawing process, and not every fertilized egg develops into an embryo. This is why doctors often recommend freezing a large number of eggs to increase the chances of success.
