Can I Get Pregnant If Only One of My Ovaries Works?

Dear Dr. Fertility,

My husband and I are trying to conceive baby Number Two. We will have been trying for a year when June rolls around and we’re still not pregnant. I am 25, but I only have one ovary. The other was removed due to a large ‘softball-size’ cyst on it. I have not seen my OBGYN to discuss not being pregnant yet. I keep telling myself that I’ll get pregnant sometime and, well, now that a year is approaching I feel that maybe I need to see her and make sure everything is alright. I was told that since I have only one ovary that my chances of getting pregnant are cut in half since I won’t be ovulating every month.

But I have also read that sometimes an ovary will work overtime and ovulate every month. Is this possible? Is there any truth to that? And how could I tell? I do not even know at this time when I am ovulating other than by counting 14 days from the start of my cycle. Any insight or suggestions on this would be great.

Thank you!

Sincerely, Amanda 

Dear Amanda,

We do recommend that women under the age of 35 years seek help after one year of attempting to conceive.  This is reduced to six months for those 35 years or older. Those with known fertility problems (i.e. blocked fallopian tubes or low sperm counts) should seek help much earlier.

In regards to your case, your evaluation should include an assessment of the fallopian tube on the side that you still have an ovary. The easiest way to check this is to perform a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). This is an X-ray that will show if the fallopian tube is open, but may also show if there is any scare tissue in the pelvis as a result of your surgery. This could be the source of your problem. You should also have an ultrasound to check for any cysts in the remaining ovary as well as hormonal evaluation of the egg quality. Your husband will need a semen analysis.

For women who loose an ovary due to surgery, the opposite ovary will usually start to ovulate every month. If you are having monthly menstrual cycles, then you are probably ovulating every month. A fertility specialist can help you with the above tests and any others to better pinpoint the source of any problems and then to design a treatment program for you.

Hope this helps,

Bradford Kolb, MD (a.k.a. Dr. Fertility)

POSTSCRIPT: A few days ago, Amanda wrote in to share great news: She and her husband just found out they are pregnant! Congratulations Amanda! We’re all sending you our best.

Turn the page to read the next Q & A with Dr. Kolb: “Can a Woman Transmit Her Own DNA to Donor Eggs?”

December 23, 2008