Summary:
- Ovarian aging is a natural process where the ovaries gradually lose their ability to produce healthy eggs over time. This process begins at birth and accelerates as a woman gets older.
- Epigenetic markers, which are changes in gene expression without changes in DNA sequence, can be used to determine a woman's "biological age" of her ovaries, which may differ from her chronological age.
- Understanding ovarian aging and the use of epigenetic markers can help women and their healthcare providers make informed decisions about family planning and fertility preservation options.