1. How does egg retrieval affect the ovaries?
In a natural cycle, several follicles develop each month, only one is ovulated and the rest regress naturally.
Retrieval stimulates and collects follicles that already existed that month—it does not consume future eggs.
- Retrieval does not reduce lifetime egg supply
- It only uses the month’s available follicles
2. Egg retrieval doesn’t increase egg numbers
Hormonal stimulation allows multiple eggs to be retrieved in one cycle, but these are follicles that were already present that month.
Normally, most of them would disappear naturally; collecting them does not accelerate menopause.
3. FSH stimulation injections: safety and side effects
FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) promotes follicle growth. In treatment, synthetic FSH injections are used to help multiple follicles mature simultaneously.
These injections support the maturation of existing follicles—they do not create new eggs. There is no evidence that this accelerates ovarian aging or menopause.
4. Next steps
If you feel concerned, consult a fertility specialist to build a plan tailored to your situation.