How to Improve Egg Quality

A woman’s ovaries contain the eggs she will ever need from when she is born, which means that no new eggs are produced later in life. This is the reason why a woman’s “biological clock” can be daunting to those who would like to get pregnant. 

The number and quality of eggs (ovarian reserve) may begin to decrease at age 30 or even earlier. But age is not the only reason that the number and quality of eggs decrease. 

Key Takeaways

• Egg quality is a major determinant in female infertility, and it can be affected by everything from lifestyle choices to mental health and genetic predisposition.
• Some of the biggest factors affecting egg quality include diet and exercise, age, and medical history.
• If you have been trying to get pregnant for over a year without a successful pregnancy, it may be time to talk to a healthcare provider about ways to assess and improve fertility and egg quality.

What is Egg Quality?

Egg quality refers to an ovum’s or egg’s genetic quality. A good-quality egg has 23 chromosomes, while an abnormal egg has fewer or more chromosomes. A chromosomally abnormal egg leads to poor egg quality and the development of genetic conditions upon fertilization.

Women are born with all the eggs they will ever need, and these eggs will be released during ovulation once a female starts their menstrual cycle. Egg quality is important because when a healthy egg results in a healthy embryo. Several factors like age can increase the quality of an egg. The more a woman ages the the more she is likely to develop chromosomally abnormal eggs (too few or too many chromosomes). 

Conception with an abnormal egg can either fail to implant, lead to a miscarriage, or lead to a birth with chromosomal disorders like Down’s syndrome. However, many women can still conceive even past this age, and studies show the global average age of women in childbirth is rising. In fact, by 30 years, a woman’s eggs are 70% chromosomally normal and this reduces with consecutive years such that by the time a woman reaches 40, only about 35% of her eggs are chromosomally normal. 

To increase the chances of pregnancy, assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization or IVF in clinics like Ivy Fertility are used. Here, the compassionate healthcare professionals will walk with you and lay out the next steps. 

Other factors affecting egg quality include:

• Genetics (e.g. low egg count at birth, early menopause)
• Prolonged stress 
• Unhealthy lifestyle habits
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Medical conditions like cancer
• Weight outside the normal BMI

How Do I Know The Quality Of My Eggs?

Egg quality is determined through tests, and different tests can be used to achieve this. 

Counting Eggs

Your eggs can be counted using a transvaginal ultrasound. This ultrasound looks at the antral follicle count (AFC) and is usually done between days three and twelve of your period. The total number of follicles that range between four and nine millimeters are counted in both ovaries, giving insight on which eggs have the potential of maturing. 

Hormonal Testing

There are two main hormonal tests used to check the quality of your eggs. 

FSH Test

Follicle stimulating hormone or FSH is the hormone responsible for the growth of ovarian follicles which produce hormones like estrogen and progesterone. FSH also supports ovulation by helping the ovaries mature eggs for each cycle. A blood sample is taken on the 3rd day of your menstrual cycle, and the sample is used to test whether the eggs are resistant to FSH. The higher the FSH value, the lower the quality of the eggs.

The AMH Test

Egg follicles produce the anti-mullerian hormone or AMH, a glycoprotein that protects and matures the eggs. The AMH test estimates the total number of follicles remaining in the ovaries. The more follicles a woman has, the more eggs she can release, and the better the chances of pregnancy. However, the AMH test isn’t 100 percent predictive of pregnancy. It only provides a rough estimate.  

A higher level of AMH can indicate something like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), while a low level could mean premature or accelerated aging.

Can I Improve Egg Quality?

Yes, you can improve egg quality. The following tips can improve the quality of eggs when trying to get pregnant or planning for IVF. 

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

There are a lot of changes you can make in your day-to-day life in order to have a healthy lifestyle. 

• Eat the right food: A nutritious diet rich in whole foods, fruits, and vegetables is important in maintaining a healthy reproductive life. You should also avoid that are high in alcohol, caffeine, and saturated fats because these foods can negatively impact fertility. 
• Move your body Regular exercise is necessary for reproductive health. It is no secret that a healthy lifestyle also includes regular exercise. A 2023 study revealed that incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine can increase the chances of conception, particularly in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Take the right supplements: While a healthy diet should give you all the nutrients you need, supplements do go a long way in improving egg quality. Supplements you can take include Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Vitamin D, Omega-3 fatty acids, Inositol, and folate. However, before taking any supplements, consult your healthcare professional. 

Avoid smoking and alcohol

The effects of cigarette smoking during fertility treatment of natural conception can result in a 50 percent lower success rate in the implantation of an embryo. Alternative devices like vapes and other nicotine-containing products also have similar negative impacts on ovarian reserve and quality. 

If you would like to increase your chances of a successful pregnancy, you have to reduce your alcohol and caffeine consumption. Alcohol disrupts hormone levels, affecting egg development. Caffeine can also interfere with egg maturation and implantation. 

Manage Stress

Different studies reveal that psycho-emotional stress negatively affects egg maturation in the ovary and suppresses subsequent embryo development. Hormones like Prolactin and Cortisol that are triggered due to stress interfere with the ovulation process. You can engage in stress-relieving methods like meditation, yoga, and exercise. 

Bottom Line

Egg quality plays a crucial role in conception and successful pregnancy, no matter if you’re trying to conceive naturally or are starting fertility treatments. Certain factors can impact negatively or positively the quality of your eggs, and it’s important to know how to improve the quality of eggs and increase your chances of a successful pregnancy.