One of the biggest misconceptions is that IVF “uses up” eggs faster, leading to early menopause. However, research shows that IVF does not significantly shorten reproductive lifespan.
IVF medications stimulate multiple follicles to mature in a cycle, but these eggs would have been lost anyway.
The total egg supply declines naturally over time, and the ovaries do not “run out” of eggs faster due to IVF.
Can IVF Affect Menopause Timing?
While IVF does not cause early menopause, certain factors related to ovarian health can influence when menopause occurs:
1. Preexisting Low Ovarian Reserve
Women with low anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) or high follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) may have fewer eggs to begin with. This means they may experience menopause earlier regardless of whether they undergo IVF.
2. Multiple IVF Cycles and Ovarian Sensitivity
Some studies suggest that undergoing many rounds of ovarian stimulation could slightly affect ovarian function over time. However, this effect is usually minor and depends on a woman’s baseline ovarian reserve.
3. Underlying Health Conditions
IVF doesn’t cause early menopause, but certain health conditions can. Women with:
Endometriosis
Autoimmune disorders
Genetic predisposition to early menopause
Maybe more likely to enter menopause early, but this is due to their condition—not the IVF process.
What Really Causes Early Menopause?
Early menopause is typically due to:
✔ Genetics – Family history is the biggest predictor.
✔ Smoking – Can accelerate ovarian aging.
✔ Autoimmune disorders – Can trigger ovarian failure.
✔ Surgery – Removal of the ovaries leads to immediate menopause.
✔ Chemotherapy or radiation – Can damage ovarian function.
The Bottom Line
🚫 IVF does not directly cause early menopause.
✅ The eggs retrieved during an IVF cycle would have been lost naturally anyway.
🔍 Women with low ovarian reserve or underlying health conditions may experience earlier menopause, but not because of IVF.
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