The antral follicle count is a measurement that doctors use to determine the health and fertility of women. It is measured by counting antral follicles on an ovary, which can be done with an ultrasound. The antral follicle count goes up as a woman gets older, but at some point, it will level off or even decrease. This article discusses antral follicle counts by age and what they mean for your fertility and health going forward!
What does antral mean?
Antrals are small pockets inside the ovaries where eggs start to develop (called mantra). They form when there is too much fluid around them for everything else to fit. This is like how bubbles in soda pop up once it gets fizzy! There is one antrum per ovary, and they only grow at certain times during the menstrual cycle: usually, after menstruation has stopped but before you’re about to get your next period. The antrums grow until they “pop” into big cavities called ovarian antral follicles. That’s when your antrals are done growing, and you will start to get a period again if it has been less than about 45 days since the antral popped!
What is the average antral follicle count by age? Antral follicle count by age is different for everyone! The antrum starts to grow when you are in puberty, usually around the time of your first period. It will keep growing until it pops into an antral follicle between about ages 30 and 45, on average. If both ovaries have antrals that do this at the same time (and most woman’s do!), then they pop together during ovulation and cause a menstrual cycle with periods every month or so. But if only one antrum has grown enough to turn into an antral follicle, then menstruation can be less frequent than once per month because there isn’t another antrum ready to release its egg yet. For ages 25-34, the count is usually 15 to 30. Between 35 and 4o, the count is usually between 9 and 25. And after 40, antral follicle count will be around 5 to 17 or less per ovary.
Can they be increased?
Some women experience a low count due to selenium deficiency or thyroid issues. If this is the case, antral follicle count can be increased by supplementing with selenium and iodine and eating a balanced diet that supports healthy hormone production. Some women have also increased their antral follicle counts by taking milk thistle to support liver health, which helps balance hormones throughout the body.
To conclude, antral follicle count is a great indicator of ovarian reserve, and antral follicles are actually some of the best quality eggs. With so many women over 40 facing difficulties conceiving, it’s vital to understand antral counts as well as other fertility indicators such as AMHs.