Pineapple Power: Fertility Facts and Fiction

The role that healthy eggs play in fertility  cannot be overstated. There are many things that can easily impact the quality of a person’s eggs. Factors such as age, genetics, medical history, mental health, lifestyle, diet and exercise, all play a role that influences egg quality. That being said, if a person wants to become pregnant, there are a few adjustments they can make in order to improve the quality of their eggs as they prepare for conception. This is the discussion we shall be having in this article.

How to Improve Your Egg Quality

Before we get into it, we must address the matter of age and how it impacts fertility. By nature fertility declines with age, and even with the healthiest lifestyle, at some point, a woman ceases to produce eggs, and pregnancy is simply not possible. This is true even with assisted reproductive technologies which have made it easier for women to have the option to become pregnant later in their lives. Whereas fertility and ageing cannot be reversed, while a person is still in their reproductive years, it is possible to improve the quality of their eggs. Below are some lifestyle and nutritional adjustments one can make toward this end.

Do Not Use Nicotine or Tobacco Products

The use of tobacco and nicotine based products have a negative impact on the health of a person, as well as their prospects of conceiving or carrying a baby to term. As well, these products reduce both the quantity of eggs that a person can produce, and the quality of those that are produced. 

Again, smoking reduces the success of fertility treatments because it prevents the embryo from implanting itself into the uterine wall, by up to 50 percent. Professional healthcare providers are urged to discourage their patients from using tobacco and nicotine based products, especially if they are prospective mothers, so that they can have positive results, whether for natural or assisted conception.

Manage Your Stress

Stress affects a person’s health, not just psychologically, but physically. If a person wants to become pregnant, stress can also negatively affect conception. Preparing to bring a life into the world and raise a child can come with some anxiety, pressure, and also stress.  A prospective parent has to make new considerations that affect their resources at the physical, mental, social and financial levels among others. 

Psycho-emotional stress negatively affects antral follicle development, negatively affecting the health of the embryos that are grown from those eggs. If you would like to become pregnant, it is advised that you adopt stress management techniques as well as seek professional counselling to facilitate a healthy pregnancy.

Adopt a Nutrient Rich Diet

The easiest way to improve fertility, egg health and egg quality is through a healthy and nutritious diet. This is also effective when one is using assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to become pregnant. Fiber, folate, starch, and polyunsaturated fats have been observed to improve pregnancy rates, particularly with ARTs. Diets that comprise highly processed foods and high levels of trans saturated fats not only affect the health of the ovaries, but result in poor pregnancy rates. 

Include Supplements

Before you make any dietary changes or include supplements in your diet, it is crucial to speak to a professional healthcare provider, especially if you are planning to begin  building your family. That said, a nutritious diet will provide the necessary nutrients your body requires. 

When trying to become pregnant however, supplements such as Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) have been observed to improve pregnancy rates in women, particularly if they had not previously responded positively to ovarian stimulation therapy.  In addition, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and myo-inositol are crucial in the development of embryos. 

Exercise

As with diet, committing to an exercise routine should be done after having received professional medical advice. Regular exercise is vital to a person’s health, and if they are trying to conceive, it improves the chances conceiving especially when a person has obesity or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Exercise should be done in moderation however, because excessive exercise can cause the body to stop ovulation altogether. 

In Summary

Becoming pregnant is not always so easy, but with the guidance of a medical professional, it is possible to build your family. In the meantime, adjustments in lifestyle can help to improve the quality of your eggs, which can help in overcoming fertility challenges you may be experiencing.  If you have been unable to become pregnant for over six months, contact Fertility Associates of Memphis. Our team of  compassionate professionals are ready to assist you in your family building journey.