Improving Egg Health for Natural Fertility

It is obvious that healthy eggs are one the primary cornerstones of female fertility. The health of a woman’s eggs will determine whether fertilization and then implantation occurs, as well as the viability of a conception.

It has long been established that female humans (like all mammals) develop all the eggs they will ever have by the time they are born. *  In other words, females are born with their entire lifetime supply of eggs (“gametes”) and are not capable of making new eggs.

So, not only is there is a continuous decline in the total number of a woman’s eggs each month, but the quality of the eggs is also thought to deteriorate over the woman’s lifetime. This is the reason that a woman’s age can have such an impact on egg health.

So, protecting the eggs you currently have is of the utmost importance! In this article Austin, TX fertility doctor, Ruthie Harper, MD discusses several natural steps you can take to encourage egg health through diet, supplements, and increased circulation to the reproductive system.

Age is Not the Only Factor in Healthy Eggs

In the past, it was commonly believed that the only factor which determined a woman’s egg health was her age. But new studies and clinical evidence have shown that this isn’t true.

If you are a woman over thirty who is having trouble getting pregnant, you may have been bluntly told by your doctors that your eggs are “old” or not healthy. Your doctor may have even suggested an egg donor, IVF, or adoption. But what most women – and some doctors – don’t know is that there are things a woman can do to help support her “egg health.”

And since egg health and ovarian reserve begin to decline dramatically around the age of 35 to 40 years, it is even more imperative to work toward preserving and improving egg health during this time.

There are many factors that can have an impact on the health of a woman’s eggs including environmental factors, hormones, diet, stress, and more just to name a few.

The 90 Day Cycle of a Healthy Egg

It’s important to remember that the cycle of an egg in preparation for ovulation is approximately 90 days. During this 90-day window before the egg reaches full maturation and is released, it is changing and preparing for ovulation. During this period, the eggs are affected by both healthy as well as unhealthy influences.

Some of the most important factors that contribute to egg health are:

• Circulation (Blood Flow)
• Oxygenation
• Hormone Balance
• Nutritional
• Stress Management

Factors Affecting Egg Health & Fertility

#1. Blood Flow and Proper Oxygenation for Healthy Eggs

Sufficient oxygen-rich blood flow to the ovaries is necessary for good egg health. However, circulation can decrease from insufficient exercise, dehydration, and/or thickening of the blood. Steps you can take to increase blood flow to the ovaries include:

• Drink at least eight 8oz. glasses of pure water every day to prevent dehydration & thin the blood.
• Exercise and move (walk, dance, yoga, etc.) to increase blood flow & help to oxygenate the blood.
• Get abdominal or fertility massage to increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries – from the day after your period has ended up until ovulation.

#2. Hormonal Balance for Healthy Eggs & Fertility

Hormone balance is also necessary for healthy eggs. Environmental factors, stress, poor diet, and more can contribute to hormone imbalance, which may throw off the fertility cycle and prevent ovulation.  If hormonal balance is off, the fertility cycle gets out of balance, and ovulation may not occur. Dr. Ruthie Harper can conduct thorough blood work, to help you determine if a hormonal deficiency or imbalance may be a contributing to your fertility issues.

Natural ways to help balance your hormones, include:

• Cleansing the body of cigarette smoke, alcohol & other toxins
• Improving diet to “eat clean” and avoid artificial foods
• Supporting the liver to help filter toxins from the body

#3. Nutrition for Healthy Eggs & Fertility

During the 90 minute “window of opportunity” of the egg cycle, it is more important that ever to ensure that what you are eating supports egg health. The types of nutrients that is required for egg health can be found in a diet that is dense in nutrition.  You can learn more about Nutrition and Fertility HERE.

Some of the top foods for egg health & fertility are:

• Royal Jelly
• Broccoli
• Berries
• Dark Leafy Greens & Vegetables
• Salmon & Halibut
• Pumpkin & Sesame Seeds
• Turmeric & Ginger

Foods to avoid that may damage egg health include:

• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Sugar
• Soda
• Processed Foods
• Trans Fats
• Diet Too Low in Fat

Natural Fertility Doctor | Austin, TX

These are just some of the fastest, easiest, and immediate lifestyle changes that a woman can make to boost egg health in order to increase the chances of conception. Additional steps like weight reduction and stress management – though harder to implement – can also dramatically improve fertility.

Ruthie Harper, MD specializes in integrative, holistic and natural fertility. If you have tried to become pregnant without success, Dr. Harper opens her practice doors to you with compassion, and more than twenty years of natural fertility experience.

Dr. Harper can help empower you to take control of your personal path to total health, wellness, balance, and fertility – to give you the best opportunity to achieve your dream of growing your family.

Natural Fertility Doctor | Austin, TX: 512.343.9355