How Can I Find Out My Egg Quality Before Egg Freezing?

If you’re considering egg freezing, one of the first questions you might ask is, how “good” are my eggs? It’s natural to want reassurance before making the investment of time, money, and emotions into freezing your eggs.

The tricky part? There’s no single test that can tell you exactly which eggs will result in a future pregnancy. That said, there are some valuable ovarian factors that *can* be measured with fertility testing; and indirect clues about egg quality that might steer you in the right direction.  

This article will break down what’s measurable and what isn’t, so you can go into egg freezing with realistic expectations and confidence in your decision making.

Ovarian reserve versus egg quality

First, it’s important to separate two related, but distinct, concepts:

• Ovarian reserve = the number of eggs left in your ovaries.
  
• Egg quality = the likelihood that your eggs have the correct number of chromosomes (chromosomal normalcy) in order to have a chance at developing into a healthy embryo, and ultimately, a baby.

Fertility testing today focuses primarily on ovarian reserve. While this doesn’t directly measure egg quality, it helps doctors estimate how you might respond to stimulation medication during an egg freezing cycle.

Ovarian reserve testing

When testing your ovarian reserve, there are a few different variables that doctors look at, in order to evaluate a complete picture: 

AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) 

The AMH test is one of the most common fertility blood tests. AMH is a hormone produced by small follicles in the ovaries.

• Higher AMH typically means you have more eggs available and may respond well to ovarian stimulation.
  
• Lower AMH suggests a smaller supply of eggs.

But here’s the key: AMH only reflects quantity, not quality. A high AMH doesn’t guarantee that the eggs are healthy, and a low AMH doesn’t mean pregnancy is impossible.

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

Another marker is FSH, typically measured on day 3 of your menstrual cycle.

• High FSH may indicate diminished ovarian reserve, because your body has to work harder to recruit eggs.
  
• Normal or low FSH is usually a good sign, though context matters.

FSH levels should always be interpreted alongside estradiol (E2), another hormone tested on day 3.

Estradiol (E2)

Elevated estradiol can sometimes mask high FSH, which is why doctors measure both together. If estradiol is high early in the cycle, it may suggest your body is compensating for fewer eggs, offering more context for ovarian reserve.

Antral Follicle Count (AFC) via Ultrasound

An antral follicle count is performed during a transvaginal ultrasound. The doctor counts the number of small, fluid-filled follicles in both ovaries.

• A higher count suggests more eggs may be retrieved during stimulation.
  
• A lower count points to fewer available follicles.
  

Again, the number of follicles doesn’t predict egg quality, but it does help forecast your likely response to fertility medications.

What egg quality really means

When doctors talk about egg quality, they are primarily referring to whether eggs have the correct number of chromosomes. Eggs with chromosomal abnormalities (aneuploidy) are less likely to fertilize, develop into healthy embryos, or result in a live birth.

The biggest factor affecting egg quality is age:

• In your 20s and early 30s, a majority of eggs are chromosomally normal.
• As you reach your late 30s and 40s, the proportion of abnormal eggs rises significantly.

That’s why so many fertility specialists encourage egg freezing earlier, when a greater percentage of eggs are likely to be high quality. 

Unfortunately, no test can directly measure egg quality before retrieval. Age, ovarian reserve, and your personal medical history are the best indicators.

Can you test eggs after retrieval?

Some people wonder if eggs can be tested once they’re retrieved. Here’s the truth: eggs themselves cannot be genetically tested. Genetic testing only becomes possible after fertilization, when eggs develop into embryos.

That means egg freezing is always a bit of a numbers game. The more mature eggs retrieved and frozen, the higher your chance of having at least one healthy embryo in the future.

Other factors that may influence egg quality

Medical history

Certain conditions can affect both egg supply and quality:

• Endometriosis may reduce ovarian reserve.
  
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) often comes with higher egg counts, but may impact ovulation and hormone balance.
  
• Chemotherapy or radiation can significantly reduce egg supply and damage quality.
  

Lifestyle factors

Your lifestyle choices matter too:

• Smoking is strongly linked to reduced ovarian reserve and accelerated egg loss.
  
• High or low BMI can affect hormonal balance and ovulation.
  
• Environmental exposures (like certain toxins) may also play a role.

While supplements and healthy habits can support general reproductive health, they cannot reverse the natural, age-related decline in egg quality.

Red flags to watch out for

When exploring egg freezing and fertility testing, it’s important to be cautious about misinformation. Be aware of:

• Clinics or services claiming they can test egg quality directly before retrieval. This is not — we repeat, not — scientifically possible.
  
• Overhyped supplements or diets promising to “boost egg quality overnight.” While lifestyle changes can help overall health, no pill can guarantee chromosomally normal eggs.
  
• Unrealistic guarantees like, “we can tell you exactly how many babies your eggs will make.” Egg freezing improves your chances, but outcomes can never be fully predicted.

How Cofertility can help

While no test can perfectly measure your egg quality before freezing, testing your fertility by reviewing your AMH, FSH, estradiol, and antral follicle count can give you a clear picture of your ovarian reserve. Combined with your age and medical history, these results help set realistic expectations for egg freezing success.

At Cofertility, we’re here to help you understand your fertility health and connect you with trusted clinics and resources. Whether you’re just beginning to explore egg freezing or ready to take the next step, our team is here to make the process empowering, transparent, and supported. 

Take our quiz today to see if you might qualify for our egg freezing programs.