What are the couples options if the woman has diminished ovarian reserve?
Their options will depend, of course, on other infertility diagnoses if any. All infertility problems that are correctable should be optimized. Treatment then is dictated by the diagnosis that is unrelated to diminished ovarian reserve. In general, more aggressive treatment is indicated than for couples with normal ovarian reserve. What ever options couples are offered and choose, they must consider the need to try with the woman’s own eggs, the need for psychological closure on their infertility if treatment fails with the woman’s own eggs, and the cost benefit ratio for treatment with a poor prognosis. IVF is an option for couple with diminished ovarian reserve, but one with a poor cost benefit ratio. An alternative that offers a much better cost benefit ratio is ovum donation, where a younger woman donates eggs to another couple.
