Essential egg facts
What you should know about for your fertility literacy
Every woman is born with a set number of eggs. This is called her ovarian reserve. Unlike sperm, which is continuously produced, a woman’s eggs are all present from birth and no new ones are made.
The exact number of eggs varies from person to person. At birth, that number is usually between 1-2 million. Despite how large that number sounds, only about 300-500 eggs will be ovulated over a woman’s lifetime. The rest naturally degenerate through a process called atresia. By menopause, only a few hundred eggs remain.
Does age really matter?
As much as we wish it weren’t true, age does affect your eggs. Both the quality and quantity decline over time. By age 30, it is estimated that you may have only around 10% of your original egg supply left.
Research shows that freezing your eggs before 35 gives you the best chance to preserve your healthiest eggs and protect your future fertility options.
There is good news too!
Not everyone will need to think about egg freezing or fertility treatment. Many women conceive naturally well into their mid-late thirties.
If you’re curious about your reproductive health or want to plan for the future, a Celery Health fertility assessment is a great place to start. It gives you a snapshot of your ovarian reserve and overall fertility for your age—so you can make informed decisions, now and later.
Are all eggs made equally?
Egg quality varies widely between individuals and is influenced by factors like age, overall health, lifestyle habits and genetics. While it’s true that egg quality generally declines as women get older—especially after their early 30s—some younger women may also have eggs of lower quality. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) can also have an impact on egg quality. These aren’t always obvious until they try to conceive and face difficulties.
Factors such as smoking, poor nutrition and ultra processed foods, chronic stress, and certain medical conditions can also impact egg health. Understanding your egg quality early can help you make better-informed decisions about family planning and fertility options.
Celery Health supports egg quality and ovarian health with specialist guidance on fertility, nutrition, genetics and lifestyle
Can my lifestyle affect my egg quality?
We can’t change our age – the biggest predictor of egg quality. However we can improve the factors we have control over. Diet, exercise, stress, smoking, alcohol and exposure to toxins may all impact egg quality and the ability to conceive.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to support your reproductive health. At Celery Health, our expert team offers guidance on fertility optimisation through nutrition, lifestyle, sleep and mental wellbeing.
Does egg freezing preserve fertility?
Yes. Egg freezing (or oocyte cryopreservation) is a method to preserve fertility by freezing eggs at your current age, ready for future use. It’s a good option for those not ready or able to have children now but who want to keep their options open.
However, it’s important to know that egg freezing isn’t a guaranteed path to a baby. Success depends on factors like your age at the time of freezing, egg quality and how many eggs are stored.
Want to know if it’s right for you? Chat with one of our Celery Health specialist general practitioners to explore your options.
Do fertility treatments improve egg quality?
Fertility treatments like IVF can help overcome some fertility challenges, but they don’t actually improve egg quality. Instead, they work by making the best use of the eggs you have and tackling other factors that affect your chances of getting pregnant.
Optimising egg health
Protecting and supporting egg health isn’t a quick fix—it’s a lifestyle. From a fertility-friendly diet and regular movement to stress management and reducing exposure to toxins, small daily choices can make a big difference.
There are simple, effective changes you can make at home—and we’re here to help. At Celery Health, our team can guide you on building your own egg-savvy lifestyle.
Some fertility supplements may also support egg health by providing key nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins. For personalised supplement advice tailored to your body and lifestyle, chat with one of our fertility team today.