In a surprising revelation that challenges long-held beliefs about female fertility, Dr Sharifa Frederick, clinical director at the Caribbean Fertility Centre, has raised concerns about a growing trend of low egg reserves among young women. Traditionally, women aged 20 to 30 are considered the most fertile. However, recent egg donor drives in Jamaica have painted a different picture.
Dr Frederick shared with the Jamaica Observer that despite hundreds of young women volunteering to donate eggs, only a small fraction make it through the rigorous screening process. Of the many applicants, only about 10 women were deemed suitable donors following medical and psychological evaluations. “We often end up with only 20 percent of applicants after initial testing due to factors like abnormal BMI, underlying medical conditions such as sickle cell or seizures,” she explained. “Even among those, many are later disqualified due to poor ovarian reserves.”
Understanding the Low Egg Reserves Challenge
The key indicator used to assess ovarian reserve is the anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) level — a hormone produced by ovarian follicles. An AMH level of 3 ng/mL or higher is ideal for egg donation, but Dr Frederick reported that a significant number of applicants fall below this threshold. After AMH testing, only about 5 percent of the remaining candidates qualify to proceed further. The selection process also includes additional blood work, ultrasound scans, and psychological evaluations, leading to further reductions in eligible donors.
Dr Frederick emphasized the seriousness of these findings. “A lot of these young women simply don’t meet the fertility criteria. The low AMH levels are worrying because they reflect a reduced egg supply, which could affect their ability to conceive in the future,” she said. Various factors, such as genetics, endometriosis, autoimmune diseases, and environmental influences, could contribute to this decline in egg quality and quantity. Some of these conditions may present no symptoms, making early testing even more critical.
A Call for Early Fertility Awareness of Low Egg Reserves
Despite the small number of women who qualify to donate, Dr Frederick sees a silver lining. The donor screenings are providing young women with important insights into their reproductive health. She urges all young women — even those not planning families soon — to get tested. “I’m a strong advocate for AMH testing in all young women,” she noted, adding that early awareness can help prevent heartache later in life.
In some cases, women as young as 22 have been told they might face significant fertility challenges by their early 30s. “If your AMH is low now, you may still be fertile, but that reserve will continue to drop. It’s important to plan accordingly — whether it’s freezing eggs or starting a family earlier,” she advised.
Dr Frederick’s message is clear: fertility should no longer be assumed based on age alone. With lifestyle and environmental factors playing an increasing role, she believes proactive testing is key to empowering women to make informed decisions about their reproductive future.
