How Many Follicles Are Normal in Each Ovary?
If you’re trying to get pregnant, or just learning about your body, you might’ve come across the term “ovarian follicles.” It sounds a bit technical, but don’t worry—it’s pretty simple once you break it down.
We’ll go over what follicles are, what’s a normal number, and why you should care.
So, What Are Follicles, Anyway?
Inside your ovaries are tiny sacs called follicles. Each one holds an immature egg—kind of like a little egg house. Once a month, your body selects one little follicle (or occasionally a few) to grow and get ready to release an egg. That’s when your body releases an egg so it can possibly meet sperm and lead to pregnancy.
The other follicles that don’t get chosen? They usually fade away.
How Many Follicles Should You Have?
The number of follicles you have in each ovary depends on a few things:
- Your age
- Your hormones
- Where you are in your menstrual cycle
Doctors usually check this using something called an ultrasound during the first few days of your period. This test shows how many small follicles are sitting in your ovaries, ready to grow. Doctors refer to this number as your antral follicle count.
A typical range is about 6 to 10 follicles per ovary. But this number can go up or down depending on your age and overall health.
Follicle Count by Age
Here’s a general idea of what’s normal based on age:
- In your 20s to early 30s: You might have 10 to 20 follicles per ovary. TThis is the time when it’s easiest for most women to get pregnant.
- In your mid to late 30s: The number starts to go down. Around 6 to 10 follicles per ovary is common.
- In your 40s: Follicle numbers drop more, and you might have less than 5 per ovary.
Remember, this is just an average. Everyone is different—and that’s totally normal.
What If You Have Too Many Follicles?
If each ovary has more than 12 follicles, it might be a sign of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). In PCOS, your body doesn’t ovulate regularly, even though there are a lot of follicles. But having a high number of follicles doesn’t always mean you have PCOS—your doctor will look at other signs too.
What If You Have Too Few?
Having fewer than 4 or 5 follicles in each ovary might mean your egg reserve is getting low. That low count can make things tougher, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. Lots of women do—even without medical help.
Why Does Follicle Count Matter?
Follicle count gives doctors a better picture of how healthy your fertility is. It can help them:
- It helps doctors estimate how many eggs you’ve got left in your ovaries.
- Plan fertility treatments like IVF
- Check for conditions like PCOS or early menopause
Final Thoughts
A healthy ovary usually has 6 to 10 follicles, but the number can change as you get older. If you’re trying to conceive or are just curious, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor. A simple ultrasound and some bloodwork can give you helpful answers.
And remember—living a healthy lifestyle (good food, regular movement, sleep, and managing stress) can also support your fertility and hormone balance.
