Ovaries are a crucial part of the female reproductive anatomy. Not only does it house the female gamete, which is quintessential for a healthy pregnancy, it also regulates a lot of other reproductive functioning in a woman’s body.
When it comes to getting pregnant, the size of the ovaries matter. Ideally, anything that is drastically more or less than usual is considered an abnormality, and the same applies to the ovaries.
While a smaller ovary size indicates less egg reserve, a larger ovary size can insinuate an underlying disorder. This article will explore and highlight everything about the ovary’s standard size, what it entails and why it is essential for a successful conception.
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In this Article
What is the Normal Ovary Size to get Pregnant?
A healthy and normal ovary measures 3cm x 2.5cm x 1.5cm. This applies to both the right and left ovaries present in a woman’s reproductive anatomy.
Typically, the size of the ovary usually is indicative of the egg reserve. So, a smaller ovary can indicate lesser egg reserve in a woman. However, a larger ovary doesn’t always mean heightened egg reserves. It could also be a consequence of an underlying disorder.
Does Ovary Size Affect Pregnancy?
The size of a woman’s ovary does influence their chances and ease of conception. This is typically more prominent in women with smaller ovaries with depleting egg reserves.
On the flip side, women with larger ovaries also have complications. Larger ovaries aren’t synonymous with more egg reserves all the time. Instead, it can be a sign of tumors or undiagnosed ovarian disorders.
This is the primary reason why having a normal-sized ovary with sufficient egg reserve is crucial for a successful pregnancy.
Also Read: Women with Undiagnosed Endometriosis Face Difficulty in Getting Pregnant, Research Says
What Causes Changes to the Size of the Ovary?
The ovary size is never constant. It keeps changing throughout the fertile years of a woman’s life. Some are natural and progressive factors, while others can be due to an undiagnosed condition.
The primary factors that alter the ovary’s size are:
Age
The size of the ovary is at its prime and maximum between puberty and before menopause. The smaller ovarian size is primarily during the pre-puberty stages and right after menopause.
While the average standard size of an ovary is 3 cm in length, 2.5 cm in height, and 1.5 cm in width, it measures around 20mm in diameter before puberty and after menopause. The ovaries are the largest during ovulation or menstruation.
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Ovarian disorders
Common conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), cysts, tumors, etc., can alter the shape and size of the ovary too. These conditions lead to unconventional enlargement of the ovary, resulting in severe pain and risks of internal bleeding. If left undiagnosed can lead to infertility or problems conceiving.
Hormonal stimulation
Women diagnosed with infertility often undergo fertility treatments to enhance their chances of conception. Treats like In-vitro fertilization (IVF) involve hormone injections that can change the ovary’s size. It leads to enlargement of the ovaries during ovulation in a cycle.
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Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the ovaries increase drastically in size. This happens due to the enhanced hormones like estrogen and progesterone that support a healthy pregnancy term. The size difference is typically witnessed during pregnancy scans.
Do Larger Ovaries Indicate Better chances of Conception?
It is imperative to think the “Larger Ovaries = More Eggs = Better Chances of Pregnancy.”
Although it might seem like that, it isn’t always true.
Having larger ovaries doesn’t automatically guarantee higher chances of conception or higher egg reserves. Instead, the ovaries can be enlarged due to an underlying disorder too.
Most women with enlarged ovaries are diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). If you are experiencing irregular periods, it is ideal to consult a doctor with the symptoms.
Also Read: Unexplained Infertility: Do You Really Need an IVF or IUI?
How to Enhance Ovary Size?
If you have a smaller ovary size, it automatically insinuates limited or fewer egg reserves. While a few tips can improve the ovary size and result in better chances of pregnancy, nothing is 100% guaranteed.
Always consult a reliable gynecologist for better support and guidance through the treatment.
Maintain a healthy body weight
Both underweight and overweight women struggle with ovarian disorders and other reproductive complications that alter the ovary’s size. Unregulated body weight affects the egg’s fertility too. So, focus on maintaining a healthy body weight for your overall reproductive health as well.
Indulge in physical activities
A sedentary lifestyle is the most significant contributor to poor reproductive functions in a woman. Hence, fertility experts suggest regular physical activities, including walking, exercise, etc., to maintain optimal ovarian health. Even yoga and meditation have potent impacts in improving ovarian reserve and eventual fertility.
Manage stress
Stress is a trigger for poor reproductive health. Women trying to get pregnant need to avoid stress at all costs. The heightened cortisol levels due to stress often alter the availability of other reproductive hormones in the body, leading to risks of changed ovarian size, irregular periods, and other complications.
Switch to a balanced diet
Our body’s physiology is heavily dependent on the food we eat. The nutritional value of our diet directly affects reproductive functions and anatomy too. So, if you are dependent on just junk food or eating a clean diet without including optimal sources of the micro and macro elements, change that habit immediately.
Get rid of ill habits
Bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking are associated with poor reproductive health and anatomy. So, if you are trying to conceive actively or have a standard ovarian size, quit these habits immediately.
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FAQs
Ovary size is typically indicative of the number of potential eggs that a woman harbors inside their body. So, in short, it indicates a woman’s fertile period. Having a normal ovary size in mm indicates healthy fertility, while an abnormally small or large ovary might require medical intervention.
Should the left and right ovaries be the same size?
The ovary volume is directly proportional to a woman’s body weight. During the fertile years, the ovary volume is around 24 ml and a little higher, depending on the weight of the person. Also, the size and volume of one ovary can drastically differ from the other one. It is perfectly normal and nothing of concern.
What is the normal size of the female right ovary?
The normal size of a healthy female ovary is 30 mm in length, 25 mm in width, and 15 mm in thickness. Depending on the weight of the person and their reproductive health, the size might vary.
Conclusion
Ovary size is a vital determinant of a woman’s reproductive health. If you notice drastic changes or alternations to the size and anatomy, it is ideal to seek medical help immediately without any questions asked. We hope this article gives you all the insights you need regarding ovarian size and health and its impacts on a healthy conception and pregnancy.
