Eggs: Quality or quantity?
Egg cells, also called oocytes or oocytes, are the reproductive cells of women. Normally, each month we spend several ovules but we only mature one, the one that we are going to ovulate. However, when we ovulate and are trying to get pregnant, we do not know what the quality of this egg is like.
The quality of the ovules can only be known and studied in cases where there are assisted reproduction processes such as IVF or in vitro fertilization, since during these techniques, the embryologist specialists can see what the ovule is like, its shape, texture, structure and it easy or not that they are to fertilize in the laboratory.
Quantity and quality of eggs are not the same
Now, that we may have many ovules does not mean that they are of quality and vice versa, that they have few, does not mean that they are going to be of poor quality.
Two examples. It may be that a woman over 40 years of age has a very good ovarian reserve and that many eggs will be able to be obtained in an ovarian estimation. That does not mean that all of them are going to be good, mature, or that they all fertilize. And unfortunately, the numbers indicate that very few will make it to blastocyst or lead to a healthy pregnancy. However, it is obvious that if we want to seek pregnancy with more than 40 and our own eggs, it is better to have many than few and enhance the quality of these, we will tell you how.
Another example would be the situation of one. woman aged 35 or younger who has been diagnosed with low ovarian reserve, in this case, if she will have few ovules, but these can be of a much higher quality than in the previous case and have better fertilization rates, growth and pregnancy.
Always remember that it has to be personalized and have the opinion of the experts. You, for your part, can have a healthy lifestyle, rest and take care of your nutrition
The quality of the eggs for an IVF treatment
The more oocytes that are obtained for an IVF treatment, in part, the better, but remember, quantity is not quality and many times a large quantity is not going to be sought, but those oocytes that come from follicles of the ovaries that are growing in a certain way. more optimal.
In addition, the relationship between quality and results will be clearly seen in the following days, when these mature oocytes can be extracted and the entire laboratory process is carried out.
Can I improve the quality of my eggs?
Whether you seek pregnancy naturally or through assisted reproduction, you will always be able to enhance the quality of your eggs.
If you seek pregnancy naturally, we will not be able to observe them but that does not mean that you cannot improve them, you can improve them just as if we prepare to receive ovarian stimulation.
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5 Key tips to improve oocyte quality
Here I leave you the key tips that every woman should take into account in the search for pregnancy
- Rest, sleep is essential for good antioxidant and hormonal health. It is our system of repairing ourselves. In addition, if we do not rest well, we will not be able to lower our stress levels from day to day. If you need to rest deeply, you can always resort to a supplement with melatonin: LINK
- Weight: maintain a balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables that allows you to have a body mass index within normal limits, neither overweight nor underweight. And remember, there is no ideal food for the quality of the eggs, the important thing is that your daily menu is balanced, fresh and full of vegetables and fruits and maintain an optimal body mass index.
- Exercise: exercising to enhance your fertility and the correct growth of the follicles and the quality of the ovules is essential. Keep in mind that if all goes well, we hope that you will be pregnant shortly, so you have to be in shape no matter how old you are, exercise will help your fertility and acquire healthy lifestyle habits.
- Emotions. Trying to get pregnant can be a very stressful time, especially if we plan to go through assisted reproduction treatments. How we live it will directly influence our stress levels, sleeping poorly, eating poorly or consuming more tobacco or toxic substances. These can influence the quality of your oocytes. So, take care of your emotions, pamper yourself, take your time and if you need it, go to a psychologist to accompany you in your treatment and make it possible for it to be successful.
- Fertility vitamins. Vitamins are so important in the quality of oocytes that they deserve a separate section.
Vitamins and egg quality
Vitamins and minerals are extremely important in our general health and even more so in our daily lives, which are usually exhausting and highly toxic. Most of the vitamins and minerals we have to acquire from a balanced and fresh diet, but we can also enhance them by taking supplements that help us combat this oxidation and enhance the quality of the eggs and ovulation.
- Over 35. Women over 35 years of age are ideally able to take a fertility supplement that meets more antioxidant requirements than just normal folic acid. Rich in biotin, CoQ10 and all structural vitamins such as this one: LINK fertility supplement over 35 especially if we go to a stimulation treatment.
- Natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It is also very important to know that there are molecules such as DHA and EPA from Omega3 that will help us not only in the quality of the ovules, but also in a correct hormonal and anti-inflammatory balance. LINK
- There are many vitamins and elements related to fertility such as inositol, Vitamin C, resveratrol, vitamin D, or the Vitamin E among tens. The important thing is that you value with your trusted specialist what will be the ideal supplementation for you according to your characteristics and at the time of the search that you find.
Causes of poor oocyte quality
Remember, there are clear causes related to poor egg quality that are worth avoiding if you are preparing to seek pregnancy, are already pregnant, or are preparing for your assisted reproduction or in vitro fertilization treatments.
Habits related to the poor quality of the ovules: sedentary lifestyle, diet rich in processed foods and sugars. Not resting properly or enough hours. Consumption of alcohol and sweetened and carbonated beverages. smoking. Other causes such as age or low ovarian reserve, you will not be able to change, so have the power to change what is in your hands.
Think that if you change these habits, you will not only improve the quality of your ovules and future embryos, but you will promote a healthy pregnancy and a healthier life without free radicals.
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