Can Ovarian Aging Be Reversed?  

While ovarian aging is a natural and irreversible process, several experimental techniques are being explored to help women who would otherwise need egg donation conceive using their own eggs. These include mitochondrial transfer, ovarian rejuvenation therapies, and follicular activation.  

What Is Mitochondrial Transfer?  

Mitochondria are the energy-producing structures inside cells, playing a key role in cell function and survival. As a woman ages, her egg cells' mitochondria become less efficient, leading to lower egg quality. This has been linked to fertility decline and embryo development issues.  

Mitochondrial transfer is a laboratory technique in which healthy mitochondria from a younger donor’s eggs are injected into the eggs of a woman with poor-quality oocytes. The goal is to boost the egg’s energy production, potentially improving fertilization and embryo development while still preserving the woman’s own genetic material.  

Although births have occurred using this technique, it remains highly experimental, and long-term effects are still unknown. Ethical concerns also arise due to the presence of DNA from three sources—the mother, the father, and the mitochondria donor.  

What Is Ovarian Rejuvenation Therapy?  

One of the most widely explored ovarian rejuvenation techniques involves Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. PRP is a concentrated solution of platelets and growth factors derived from a woman’s own blood. In this procedure, PRP is injected directly into the ovaries via a transvaginal approach, similar to how eggs are retrieved during IVF. The goal is to stimulate dormant follicles, potentially improving ovarian function and egg production.  

PRP therapy is currently offered in countries like Greece, Cyprus, and Spain, particularly for women aged 35 to 50 with very low ovarian reserve. While some women hope it will delay the need for egg donation, the success rate remains uncertain and highly variable. Additionally, intrauterine PRP injections have been tested for improving endometrial thickness in women with implantation failure, but results have been inconclusive.  

What Is Follicular Activation?  

Follicular activation is another experimental approach aimed at women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or early menopause. The idea is to reactivate dormant follicles that may still be present in the ovaries. There are two main methods:  

1. Ovarian tissue fragmentation: A laparoscopic procedure removes a piece of the ovarian cortex (where dormant follicles are located), fragments it, and then reimplants it into the ovary. This process may help stimulate follicular growth.  

2. Stem cell injections: Bone marrow stem cells are injected into the ovarian artery to promote tissue regeneration and follicle activation.  

Both methods are still in the research phase, and pregnancy success rates remain extremely low. These approaches are not yet considered reliable fertility treatments but are being investigated as potential future options.  

Learn. Improve. Maintain.  

While ovarian aging cannot yet be fully reversed, research is ongoing. Learning about emerging reproductive technologies, improving fertility planning with personalized strategies, and maintaining realistic expectations about experimental treatments.