Poor Egg Quality: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Written by
Arva Health Team
18-Jun-2024
Poor egg quality: Causes and Treatment
Getting pregnant comes with it’s fair share of hurdles, and a significant factor can be poor egg quality.
Eggs are the foundation for a healthy pregnancy, and their health directly impacts the chances of conception, embryo development, and a successful birth.
This article explores everything you need to know about egg quality, including the signs, causes, diagnosis, and how to improve your fertility potential.
By understanding these factors, you can take control of your reproductive health and make informed decisions about your family planning journey.
So, read on!
What is egg quality?
Egg quality refers to the health and viability of a woman’s eggs. High-quality eggs have the right number of chromosomes and the ability to combine with sperm to create a healthy embryo.
Poor egg quality can result from genetic abnormalities, making it less likely for the egg to be fertilized or to develop into a healthy embryo.
Nerd it out🥸: The connection between genetics and fertility
Why is egg quality important?
Here’s a breakdown on why egg quality is important
Fertilisation: High-quality eggs are more likely to undergo successful fertillisation with sperm.
Embryo development: Healthy eggs contribute to the proper development of embryos, increasing the chances of implantation and a successful pregnancy.
Reduced miscarriage risk: Good egg quality reduces the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, which can lead to miscarriage.
What are the causes of poor egg quality?
Several factors can contribute to poor egg quality, including age, lifestyle, and medical conditions.
1. Age
Age is the most significant factor affecting egg quality. Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, and these eggs tend to err in terms of cell division over time, which can cause genetic abnormalities, and thus poor egg quality over time. After the age of 35, egg quality declines more rapidly, and the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities increases.
2. Lifestyle factors
Smoking: Smoking can lead to oxidative stress, damaging eggs and reducing their quality.
Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol intake can negatively affect egg health.
Poor Diet: A diet lacking in essential nutrients can impair egg quality.
Obesity: Excess body fat can disrupt hormone levels, affecting egg quality.
3. Medical conditions
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS can cause hormonal imbalances that affect egg quality.
Endometriosis: Endometriosis can damage ovarian tissue and negatively impact egg health.
Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like lupus or thyroid disorders can affect egg quality.
Genetic Disorders: Certain genetic conditions can lead to poor egg quality.
4. Environmental Factors
Exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides and heavy metals, can harm egg quality. Occupational exposure to chemicals and pollutants can also play a role.
What are the symptoms of poor egg quality?
Poor egg quality often does not present clear symptoms until a woman attempts to conceive. However, there are some signs and indications that may suggest poor egg quality:
Difficulty conceiving: Struggling to get pregnant despite regular unprotected intercourse.
Recurrent miscarriages: Experiencing multiple miscarriages may indicate issues with egg quality.
Irregular menstrual cycles: While not always a sign of poor egg quality, irregular cycles can be associated with underlying conditions that affect egg health.
Poor response to fertility treatments: A low response to ovarian stimulation in IVF cycles can be a sign of poor egg quality.
How is poor egg quality diagnosed?
Several tests and evaluations can help diagnose poor egg quality:
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) Test: Measures the levels of Anti Mullerian Hormone levels in the blood, which is an indicator of ovarian reserve and egg quantity.
Follicle-Stimulating hormone (FSH) Test: High levels of FSH on the third day of the menstrual cycle can indicate reduced ovarian reserve and egg quality.
Antral follicle count (AFC): An ultrasound to count the number of antral follicles in the ovaries, providing an estimate of ovarian reserve.
Ovarian reserve testing: A combination of blood tests and ultrasounds can help assess the quantity and quality of eggs, or the ovarian reserve.
What are some treatments for poor egg quality?
While it is not possible to reverse age-related decline in egg quality, several strategies and treatments can improve overall fertility and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
1. Lifestyle modifications
Healthy diet: A balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can support egg health. Foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and fruits are beneficial.
Regular exercise: Moderate exercise can improve overall health and hormonal balance, positively affecting egg quality.
Avoid smoking and alcohol: Eliminating smoking and reducing alcohol consumption can significantly improve egg health.
Maintain a healthy weight: Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can optimize hormonal balance and improve fertility.
2. Medical treatments
Fertility medications: Medications like clomiphene citrate and gonadotropins can stimulate ovulation and improve the chances of releasing healthy eggs.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): In vitro fertilization (IVF) or Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can help by combining eggs and sperm outside the body and transferring the healthiest embryos to the uterus.
Ovarian Stimulation: In some cases, stimulating the ovaries with medications can increase the number of eggs produced during an IVF cycle, providing a better chance of selecting high-quality eggs.
Antioxidant Supplements: Supplements such as CoQ10, melatonin, and DHEA may improve egg quality by reducing oxidative stress and supporting cellular health.
3. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
Egg Donation: For women with significantly poor egg quality, using donor eggs from a younger, healthy donor can be an option.
Embryo Screening: Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can identify chromosomally normal embryos, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.
How Arva can help
Understanding your egg quality is crucial for navigating your fertility journey.
At Arva, we understand the challenges of dealing with poor egg quality and are here to support you every step of the way.
Our at-home fertility test empowers you with valuable insights by measuring key hormones like AMH, which indicates your ovarian reserve and egg quantity. Additionally, the test goes beyond basic hormones, providing a more comprehensive picture of your fertility health.
Arva also offers personalised egg freezing consultations with experienced gynaecologists across India (plus with this, you also get a guide and access to a super supportive community!)
These consultations can delve deeper into your test results and explore options to improve your egg quality, including lifestyle modifications and potential medical interventions.
If you're considering egg freezing, Arva's network of qualified professionals can guide you through the process, ensuring you preserve your fertility potential to plan out your future, on your own terms.
Remember, we’re by your side!❤️
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FAQs
1. Can lifestyle changes improve egg quality?
Yes, adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight can help improve egg quality.
2. Can poor egg quality cause miscarriage?
Yes, poor egg quality can lead to chromosomal abnormalities in embryos, which can increase the risk of miscarriage.
3. What dietary changes can support egg quality?
A diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and fruits, can support egg health and improve fertility.
4. When should I seek professional help for poor egg quality?
If you are over 35, have been trying to conceive for more than six months without success, or have a history of recurrent miscarriages, it is advisable to seek professional help for fertility assessment and guidance.
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