How to Improve Egg Quality in Women

Table of contents:

• Effect of age on Fertility

• Why Egg Quality is Important

• How to Check Egg Quality In Women

• Signs Of Good Quality Egg

• Signs of Poor Quality Egg

• What Causes Poor Quality Egg

• Ways to Improve The Quality Of Egg For IVF Naturally?  

• A Diet that Can Help In Improving Egg Quality

• Take Home Points

• FAQs On Improve Egg Quality in Women

Introduction

The outcome of pregnancy and baby is highly dependent on the quality of the Eggs. Embryos produced from poor-quality eggs often fail to implant in the uterus( attachment to the uterus for further development). Poor quality of eggs often leads to chromosomal abnormalities in babies. 

It is important to note that It is not only the quality of eggs that influences the outcome of the baby, remember the quality of sperm is equally important since the zygote is formed by fertilization of both sperm and Egg. 

For this blog, we are focussing on How to improve egg quality. therefore our discussion would be limited to how to improve egg quality, the effect of age on fertility 

Effect of age on Fertility

Aging is inevitable, egg quality is significantly impacted by age. We must understand certain things about the female egg(ovum) before we move forward:

• Fixed fertility period:

Women are fertile only for a fixed period of their life. Ranging from puberty(11-13 yrs) to Menopause(49-50yrs).

• Decline in number of eggs:

Females are born with a fixed number of eggs. Eggs in females start forming when the baby is in the mother's womb. At birth, the egg count is about 1 million to 2 million. By the first period, this count further declined to 3 lakhs to 5 lakhs. By 20s it reaches 1.5 lakhs to 3 lakhs.

• Increased chromosomal abnormalities:

There is a significant increase in the risk of chromosomal abnormalities(genetic disorders). For example, the risk of Down syndrome increases with increased maternal age.

Why Egg Quality is Important 

Maintaining egg quality is important in women. Here are the reasons for that: 

• The fate of pregnancy depends on the quality of the egg:

The fate of a baby and pregnancy is dependent on the mother's egg and sperm.

• Poor quality eggs mean difficulty in pregnancy:

If the Sperm or female egg is defective then pregnancy becomes difficult. It is important to note there are many reasons apart from this that need to be evaluated for infertility.

• Miscarriages often happen with poor-quality eggs:

If pregnancy happens with poor-quality eggs then also there are high chances of miscarriages. 

• If you’re planning for IVF:

If you’re planning for IVF, egg quality is important as good quality eggs will lead to healthy embryos and further continuing a healthy pregnancy.

How to Check Egg Quality In Women  

Several tests can measure egg quality in women, but no test is 100% predictive still they give a good idea about egg quality in women. Here are some tests to check for the quality of eggs in women:

• AMH test:

Antimullerian hormone(AMH) is a hormone produced by growing Egg follicles. AMH levels in women's bodies help in determining no. Of eggs, she may have. It doesn’t mean that having very high AMH levels can be good, it can suggest disorders like PCOS. Too low a level of AMH can be seen in premature ovarian failure or Menopause. 

• FSH test:

FSH is produced by the pituitary gland, which stimulates follicles present in the ovary to grow. FSH levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle, compared with AMH which is less variable. FSH levels are low in conditions like PCOS or irregular cycles. FSH is less sensitive compared to AMH.

• Antral count:

The antral count is done by transvaginal ultrasound( a type of ultrasound). It is usually done around the time of ovulation to look for follicles and ovulation status. 

Signs Of Good Quality Egg 

Good Quality of eggs in women is extremely important as a healthy ovum or egg will lead to the formation of a healthy embryo which further leads to a healthy baby. Poor quality of eggs if fertilised may find it difficult to grow till the baby. Here are signs of a good quality egg:

• Normal hormonal levels:

As discussed earlier, hormone levels like AMH and FSH can indicate good-quality eggs.

• Regular menstrual cycles:

Regular menstrual cycles can indicate good-quality eggs. Women ovulate one egg in one menstrual cycle, that too a dominant follicle that is selected from a group of follicles present in ovaries, this can be nature's way of choosing a healthy egg for fertilization.

• Ovulatory symptoms:

Due to hormones during the menstrual cycle, there is variation in cervical fluid status and baseline body temperature. When there is ovulation there is a change in baseline body temperature.

• Healthy pregnancies:

A healthy pregnancy without any complications indicates good quality eggs.

• Young age:

Egg quality declines with advancing age, therefore if you are young there are more chances of having good-quality eggs.

Signs of Poor Quality Egg  

Like signs of good egg quality, there can be signs of poor quality of eggs in women which you can look for:

• Irregular menstrual cycles

• Reduced AMH levels

• Recurrent miscarriages:

Genetically malformed embryos are more likely to get miscarried, therefore several miscarriages can indicate poor egg quality. Please Note recurrent pregnancy loss has other causes that need evaluation.

• Decreased estrogen levels

• Poor production of eggs despite infertility treatment:

Poor egg production despite infertility treatment may indicate poor egg quality.

What Causes Poor Quality Egg 

Poor egg quality can be due to some underlying problems that you may have. A thorough clinical examination by a healthcare professional may help you find the problem and treatment. Here are some of the causes  of poor egg quality:

• Age:

Age is one of the important factors that may cause a decline in egg quality, with the number and quality of eggs decreasing.

• Endometriosis:

In this condition, the normal tissue of the uterus lining (which sheds during menses) grows in some other place. If that growth happens in ovaries it can lead to poor quality of eggs.

• Radiation therapy:

If you have undergone radiotherapy for some other cause or ovary-related disease then this may decline poor-quality eggs.

• Ovarian surgery:

if you have gone through surgeries related to ovaries this may compromise egg quality in women.

• Pelvic inflammatory diseases(PID):

Pelvic inflammatory diseases, if left untreated can cause significant damage to reproductive organs like ovaries compromising egg quality.

• Smoking:

Smoking is associated with increased infertility and declining egg quality in women.

Ways to Improve The Quality Of Egg For IVF Naturally?

How to improve egg quality? There are some avoidable causes of poor egg quality in women. Here are some tips and ways to improve egg quality for IVF naturally or improvement of egg quality in general:

• Eating a balanced diet:

Eating healthy foods rich in antioxidants and maintaining a balanced diet helps in maintaining essential minerals and vitamins required for maintaining good quality eggs.

• Quitting smoking:

Quitting can be a good start if you are a smoker. Smoking has been associated with poor egg quality and infertility.

• Maintaining healthy weight:

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for good quality eggs. Obesity has been linked with PCOS which can cause poor-quality eggs and irregularities in the cycle.

• Practice meditation:

Stress can cause irregularities in the menstrual cycle and poor quality of eggs. Practicing meditation can help deal with stress and can help maintain fertility.

• Increasing blood flow to ovaries:

Increasing blood flow to ovaries can help improve egg quality. The quickest way to increase blood flow is to stay hydrated. Yoga poses like lotus pose or child’s pose can help increase blood flow to the ovaries.

• Regular checkups and Supplements:

Regular checkups with Healthcare Professionals, if you’re having lower abdominal pain. You can take supplements like CoQ-10, and fish oils after talking with your doctor.

A Diet that Can Help In Improving Egg Quality 

There are foods that you can include in your diet to improve egg quality. Here is a list of foods which can help in improving egg quality:

• Include complex carbs instead of simple carbs:

Complex carbs like oats, rye, bajra, and ragi are filled with nutrients like selenium and zinc which are important for maintaining fertility. Complex carbs don't cause sudden blood glucose spikes and prevent hormonal imbalances.

• Berries:

Berries are full of antioxidants and minerals essential for maintaining reproductive health.

• Leafy green vegetables:

Leafy green vegetables like broccoli and spinach contain iron, vitamins A, B, C, and E. These vitamins and minerals help in maintaining the good quality of eggs in women.

• Omega-3 acids rich foods:

Include fish like salmon into your diet for omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help improve egg quality.

• Fermented foods:

Fermented foods like yogurt improve intestinal health, Fermented foods also improve egg quality.

• Seeds:

Seeds like sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds contain micronutrients as well as monounsaturated fats.

• Beans and lentils: 

Beans and lentils contain protein, iron, vitamin B complex, and magnesium. These help in improving egg quality.

Take Home Points 

• The outcome of pregnancy and baby is highly dependent on the quality of the Eggs.

• There is decreased fertility with age, there is an increased chance of getting chromosomal abnormalities like Down’s syndrome with increased age.

• To check the quality of eggs in women AMH levels, FSH levels and antral count test is available.

• Signs of good quality eggs in women include regular menstrual cycles, young age, previous healthy pregnancy, normal hormone levels, and ovulation symptoms.

• Signs of poor egg quality of egg in women include irregular menstrual cycles, recurrent miscarriages, older age, reduced AMH levels, and decreased estrogen levels.

• Causes of poor-quality eggs in women are endometriosis, radiation exposure, chemotherapy, pelvic inflammatory diseases, ovarian surgery, etc.

• How to improve egg quality? Eating healthy and maintaining a healthy weight is extremely important. Other steps that you can take include quitting smoking, practicing meditation, and increasing blood flow to your ovaries.