Interactive FAQs Miscellaneous Infertility Question: I am 32 years old and one of my ovaries was removed because of an ovarian cyst. Are my chances of pregnancy reduced? Mary F. Indiana Answer: There are no published studies that describe the fertility potential in humans during natural cycle attempts at conception after one ovary has been removed (oophorectomy). Studies looking at fertility during infertility treatment tend to show that fewer follicles develop, a bit more drug is needed to reach ovulation and fewer eggs are retrieved at IVF. Looking more closely at in vitro fertilization data shows that these eggs appear to go on achieve fertilization, undergo cell division and implant at rates similar to eggs retrieved when both ovaries are present. Risk factors that may pose additional problems are loss of the ovary at a younger age, family history of early menopause, smoking (greater than 10 pack/year history), history of depression. Day three FSH blood testing can help pinpoint fertility potential. While day 3 FSH levels appear slightly higher compared to age matched women with both ovaries, this effect is limited. The day 3 FSH value remains a good tool to determine fertility potential. The critical FSH values predicting diminished fertility does not change. So, if values above 10 indicate diminished fertility in a particular program, that is the case regardless if the woman has one or two ovaries. Dr. Perloe FAQ archives: IVF PCOS Clomiphene Ovulation Ovulation Induction Injections Age Related Infertility Endometriosis Donor Egg Donor Sperm Male Factor Infertility Fallopian Tube Reanastomosis Tubal Infertility Unexplained Infertility Endometrial Factor Return to the IVF Homepage This page, and all contents, are Copyright © 2003 by IVF.com, Atlanta, GA, USA.