A woman typically releases one mature egg each month during ovulation. Although the ovaries begin the maturation process for many eggs (hundreds to about 1,000 immature eggs start developing each cycle), usually only one egg becomes dominant and is released, while the others disintegrate and are absorbed by the body
. In summary:
- Hundreds to around 1,000 immature eggs start developing monthly.
- Only one egg matures fully and is released during ovulation each month.
- The rest of the eggs that begin maturation die off through a process called atresia.
This monthly release of a single egg continues throughout a woman’s reproductive years until menopause
