A woman at 43 years old will have around 5,000 to 10,000 eggs left in her ovarian reserve. This number is significantly lower than the millions of eggs a female fetus has at birth. The number of eggs decreases throughout a woman's life, with a substantial drop occurring during her 30s and 40s. While it's possible to get pregnant naturally at 43, the chances decrease considerably due to the lower number and quality of eggs.
Factors influencing the number of eggs:
- Age: The number of eggs declines steadily as a woman ages.
- Genetics: Family history and inherited factors can impact the rate of egg depletion.
- Lifestyle: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor nutrition can negatively affect ovarian reserve.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and autoimmune diseases can impact egg quantity and quality.