Most of the couples struggling with becoming or staying pregnant fear that they have an underlying medical problem that will keep them from having children. That may indeed be so, but egg size is another factor to consider. Your capacity to get pregnant depends largely on how big your egg is. The egg may not be ready for fertilisation if it is very small or immature.
The minimum egg size to get pregnant and how the size of the ovaries relates to fertility will be discussed in this article. To learn more about how these aspects influence your ability to get pregnant, read on.
What is the Minimum Egg Size to Get Pregnant?
In order to determine whether an egg is ready for fertilisation, physicians take a reading of the follicle size and not the actual egg. The small, fluid-filled follicle in the ovary contains the egg.
Follicles are supposed to be between 18 and 20 mm (1.8 and 2 cm) in diameter for fertilisation. A pregnancy is, however, not ensured by size. The quality of the egg is one of the other critical criteria.
Since it boosts the chances of having a healthy pregnancy, physicians would rather extract eggs for IVF procedures if the follicles measure between 16 and 22 mm. Regular monitoring is used to ascertain the optimal moment for collecting eggs.
Role of Follicles in Pregnancy
The follicles are situated in the ovaries with small bag-like structures. These small sacs contain many immature eggs. During ovulation, the matured egg is released into the body. If it is fertilised by encountering sperm, it develops into a foetus.
Otherwise, women may experience a menstrual cycle that sheds the linings and ruptures the egg. Follicles are the house of eggs. They are stored and matured inside the small sac.
A Basic Guide to Follicle Growth and Ovulation
Before releasing an egg during ovulation, follicles gradually develop. This is how they typically grow:
Day 7: The follicles are tiny, measuring 5–6 mm.
Day 9: They reach 8–10 mm in size.
Day 10: They continue to develop, growing to 10–12 mm.
Day 11: Approaching ovulation, now 12–14 mm.
Day 12: Measuring 14–16 mm, almost ready.
Day 14: The best follicle size for ovulation is 18–26 mm.
Since every woman is different, ovulation can occur earlier or later.
Different Follicle Sizes
This table shows the different follicle sizes that are ideal for natural and assisted reproductive processes as follows:
| Category | Ideal Follicle Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Ideal Follicle Size
|
18-22 mm
|
Best for Pregnancy, whether it is right ovary or left ovary. |
|
Natural Conception/IUI
|
18-24 mm
|
Indicates the egg is mature and ready for conception |
|
IVF Egg Retrieval
|
18-20 mm
|
Follicles in this range are ideal for IVF |
|
Small Follicles (<18 mm)
|
Less than 18 mm |
The egg may not be mature enough to support the pregnancy process.
|
|
Follicle size before trigger shot
|
13-18 mm
|
More follicles in this range improve the success of IVF. |
|
IUI Success
|
18-22 mm
|
Best size for higher pregnancy chances |
|
PCOS & Follicle Size
|
18-22 mm
|
Medications like Letrozole help follicles grow to this size and are apt for pregnancy. |
|
Follicle Size for Twins
|
18-22 mm
|
More mature follicles = higher chances of multiples |
|
Overly Mature Follicles
|
Over 24 mm
|
An egg may be post-mature, reducing fertility potential |
Techniques for Monitoring Follicle Development
Several methods can be employed to monitor the maturity of follicles in various stages to determine the best time for natural conception or fertility interventions. In order to comprehend the maturation of follicles fertility experts adopt certain important methods as below:
Method 1: A Thin Probe is employed to observe the size of the follicle
Transvaginal Ultrasonography (TVS) is the procedure, where a thin probe is placed inside your vagina to get a clear view of the ovaries and follicles. This helps doctors measure the size of the follicles and check their growth during your fertility treatment.
Method 2: Similar to routine blood tests, these hormone tests are employed to monitor follicle growth
The blood tests for hormones measure the quantity of essential hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol. Oestradiol reveals follicular growth, and ovarian reserve and the response of the body to fertility drugs are evaluated with the assistance of FSH.
Method 3: Urine is taken to test LH
Physicians can also suggest urine tests to identify a luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, indicating ovulation is near. This is useful in the timing of intercourse, intrauterine insemination (IUI), or egg retrieval during IVF.
Method 4: Simple monitoring of Basal body temperature
A less accurate but more conventional approach is the measurement of basal body temperature (BBT). Monitoring body temperature each morning before exertion can lead to patterns that signal when ovulation will occur.
Because nothing is foolproof, physicians will sometimes combine several of these methods to have the highest probability of successful conception or treatment of fertility.
Factors Influencing the Development of Follicles
Growth of the follicle is controlled by several factors, some of which further impact fertility. For older women, due to high age, there is a decline in the development of follicles (egg quality). Age is the main factor that influences the fertility of women in the natural or IVF process.
Your doctor checks hormone levels during fertility treatment. Low levels of key hormones including oestradiol, FSH, and LH can slow follicle growth and affect egg release.
Lifestyle changes can also influence follicle development. While excessive-processed diets can disrupt hormone balance, a nutritious diet maintains ovary function. While exercise can maintain healthy hormone levels, excessive amounts can have the reverse effect. Stress is also a key component that can disrupt hormone production.
Is It Possible to Become Pregnant with Small Eggs?
In general, you don’t need to worry about the size of your eggs. Rather than size, potential or capacity is required to achieve pregnancy. It may be partly true or partly false to look out the size of an egg, each patient may differ in their condition. When it comes to eggs, the quality of the egg matters a lot compared to size. Immature follicles constitute smaller eggs.
A healthy egg without chromosomal defects can grow into an embryo. Ovarian stimulation can be done by your fertility specialist if follicles grow slowly or eggs are not ideal for fertility treatment. A holistic approach, including lifestyle and hormone balance, is key to improving fertility.
Conclusion
Egg size and maturity are just a piece of your fertility journey. Modern advanced techniques have helped millions of couples achieve pregnancy by resolving this kind of issue with their ultimate support. If you are experiencing the same condition after one year of trying, this is the moment to consult a fertility expert and discover the ideal treatment for your case.
Early advice and counselling can make a significant difference in your path towards parenthood. Don’t hesitate to see a specialist, sometimes a small trigger will have the power to make your dream come true.
