How many eggs does a woman have?
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Females are born with between one and two million eggs. The number decreases until a person stops ovulating and reaches menopause. At that point, fewer than 1,000 remain.
By Rachel Ann Tee-Melegrito, medically reviewed by Meredith Wallis, MS, APRN, CNM, IBCLC
A female’s egg quality and quantity determine their likelihood of conceiving. Unlike other cells in the body, egg cells cannot regenerate.
A person’s life stage and the presence of various health conditions also affect the number and quality of their eggs.
This article explores how many eggs a female has and their role at different stages of their life. We also discuss tests to measure egg count, fertility options, conditions that may impact eggs, and more.
How many eggs are females born with?
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG), a female fetus typically has around 6–7 million eggs at 20 weeks of gestation, dropping to 1–2 million at birth.
The number of immature egg cells – oocytes – de...
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