What is the normal size of the egg? Does it affect pregnancy?

normal ovum size

The number of eggs in females at puberty may reach about 300,000 to 400,000 eggs, and an egg is a single cell that is released from one of the female reproductive organs, called the ovary, and the egg has the ability to develop into a new organism when it is fertilized with a sperm cell (sperm). Which leads some of them to wonder about whether the size of the egg affects the occurrence of pregnancy? What is the normal size of the egg? In the following article, we will present the answers to these questions.

What is the normal size of the egg?

The egg is located inside the follicle; Therefore, its size depends on its size, and the follicle is a small bag of fluid in the ovary that contains the developing egg, and its size is about 3 millimeters.

In each menstrual cycle, a number of follicles are selected to grow and mature, each containing an egg, but most of these follicles fade and do not reach maturity, so that one follicle is selected to mature and grow to the appropriate size.

When the follicle matures, it ruptures and releases the egg, which is now ready for fertilization, which usually happens about 14 days after the start of your period.

During this period and different stages of the menstrual cycle, the ovaries secrete hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone, which leads to a change in the size of the follicles and may reach 22 to 24 millimeters, and thus change the size of the eggs they carry.

The following table of egg size includes the stages of change in the natural egg size growth from the first day of the menstrual cycle until the fourteenth day of it:

  • The normal size of an egg on the first day of the fourth day is 2 to 4 millimeters.
  • The normal size of the egg on the fifth day is 5 to 6 millimeters.
  • The normal size of the egg on the sixth day is 7 to 8 millimeters.
  • The normal size of the egg on the seventh day is 9 to 10 millimeters.
  • The normal size of an egg on the eighth day is 11 to 13 millimeters.
  • The normal size of an egg on the ninth day is approximately 13.5 millimeters.
  • The normal size of the egg on the tenth day is 13.5 to 15 millimeters.
  • The normal size of an egg on day 11 is 15 to 17 millimeters.
  • The normal size of an egg on day 12, 13 and 14 ranges from 18 to 22 millimeters.

It should be noted that the previous numbers may change slightly; Because of factors that differ from one woman to another, which lead to a difference in the size of the eggs.

What is the normal egg size for a twin pregnancy?

The results of some research indicated that the size of the follicles that carry the eggs may reach 12 millimeters or more, and this may be an indication that the chances of achieving a pregnancy with twins or a multiple pregnancy increase significantly.

What is the normal size of the egg for pregnancy?

After knowing the normal size of the egg, we will talk about its importance in pregnancy; Because it must be the right size for fertility, the minimum size of an egg for pregnancy is 18 to 20 millimeters.

As for the case that the ovaries produce small-sized eggs, this may cause a problem in pregnancy, which may lead to miscarriage afterwards or to genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome.

The most important tips for maintaining a normal egg size and thus a greater chance of a healthy pregnancy include:

  • Eat healthy.
  • Regular exercise, which helps increase blood flow.
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight (normal body mass index).
  • Reducing stress and tension.
  • Stay away from cigarettes.
  • Communicate with a gynecologist to confirm and maintain healthy ovaries.

Aging is also one of the factors affecting the size of the egg as well, affecting fertility. In the late thirties and early forties, follicles release a high percentage of eggs of abnormal size, which leads to higher rates of miscarriage.

Does the large size of the egg prevent pregnancy?

Usually, the larger the size of the egg, the greater the chance of fertilization, and that the smaller the size of the egg causes fertility problems and the small size may lead to a miscarriage.

The size of the egg preparing for fertilization ranges between 18 to 36 millimeters, and the appropriate size is 22 to 24 millimeters. The difference in size is due to the presence of anatomical differences between one woman and another, or due to a specific disease condition.

After answering a question, does the large size of the egg prevent pregnancy? We advise you to read our article about the treatment of small size of the egg; To find out the available solutions in the event that the size of the egg is smaller than the normal size.

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