How to Improve Egg Reserve and Quality?

Egg reserve is an important term that helps understand a woman's fertility potential. This concept is used to assess a woman’s reproductive capacity and the quantity of eggs in her ovaries.

What is Egg Reserve?

Egg reserve refers to the number of egg cells present in a woman's body. It is a measure that helps determine a woman's fertility potential. The higher the egg reserve, the greater the fertility potential.

Women are born with a certain egg reserve, but this reserve decreases over time, and the quality of the eggs may also be affected. Particularly in women over 35, the egg reserve begins to decline, which can negatively impact the chances of pregnancy.

Why Does Egg Reserve Decrease?

Egg reserve varies between individuals due to genetic factors. Each month, a woman naturally releases an egg from her follicles due to the menstrual cycle. However, each time, a larger number of eggs are prepared and withdrawn from the reserve. This is why the reserve declines with age, leading to a natural decrease in reproductive capacity. One significant indicator of the egg depletion process is the Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels. AMH, a hormone secreted by the ovaries, is an indicator of egg reserve. As a woman ages, her AMH levels start to decrease, reflecting the decline in egg reserve and reproductive potential. This may manifest with certain symptoms, such as irregular menstrual cycles and a condition known as anovulation, where ovulation does not occur, which is associated with the egg depletion process.

Factors That Reduce Egg Count

The process of egg depletion is a natural development in all women and is associated with the menstrual period. Factors that may contribute to the decrease in egg reserve include:

• Aging: One of the most common causes of declining egg reserve. Women are born with a set egg reserve, which naturally decreases with age. With each menstrual cycle, a number of egg cells are lost, and the number of available eggs diminishes over time. Additionally, the quality of eggs may deteriorate due to environmental factors over time.
• Genetic Factors: Family history, such as the fertility levels of a woman's mother and grandmother, can offer insight into her egg reserve. If there is a family history of early menopause, the likelihood of decreased egg reserve may be higher.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to environmental toxins, smoking, and other lifestyle factors can negatively impact egg reserve. These factors can lead to premature aging of egg cells. Smoking, in particular, can expose egg cells to more oxidative stress.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a condition that causes hormonal imbalances and may adversely affect egg production. The formation of multiple small cysts in the ovaries is a hallmark of this syndrome. PCOS leads to the overproduction of androgens, male hormones, which can disrupt egg maturation and impact egg reserve. Women with PCOS frequently experience anovulation (lack of ovulation), contributing to a decline in egg reserve.
• Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition where the uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, potentially damaging the ovaries and reducing the egg reserve.
• Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy: Cancer treatments can have adverse effects on the ovaries and uterus. These treatments can reduce the egg reserve and may even lead to infertility

How to Determine Egg Quality?

Egg quality is a critical factor that directly affects a woman’s fertility potential and the likelihood of sustaining a healthy pregnancy. However, as egg quality is not a visible characteristic, determining it requires certain scientific methods. A common approach to assessing egg quality is through blood tests that check the levels of specific hormones. The ideal time for blood tests to evaluate egg quality and reserve is typically on the 2nd or 3rd day of the menstrual cycle. The hormones evaluated during this period include:

• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): FSH levels are used to assess ovarian function. High FSH levels may indicate a reduced egg reserve, as higher FSH means the ovaries need to work harder, which can signify poorer egg quality.
• Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH): AMH is widely used to evaluate ovarian reserve. This hormone reflects the number and potential of egg follicles. High AMH levels indicate a higher egg reserve, while low levels may suggest diminished egg reserve. This test is essential in predicting a woman's fertility potential.
• Estradiol (E2): Estradiol is a hormone that guides egg maturation and uterine preparation. Elevated estradiol levels can affect the quality and quantity of maturing eggs.

Although E2 and FSH values don’t directly provide a clear picture, they help reach a conclusion when combined with other diagnostic methods. One indicator that assists laboratory tests in diagnostics is the antral follicles. Antral follicles are developing egg sacs in a woman’s ovaries. A count done through ultrasound in the early days of the menstrual cycle provides information about egg reserve and quality. A high antral follicle count is generally associated with better egg quality. In fertility treatments, like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), examining the collected eggs and obtained embryos under a microscope can indicate quality, as eggs and embryos with good morphological characteristics may show better quality.

Factors Affecting Egg Quality

Egg quality significantly impacts a woman's fertility capacity and health. It is influenced by genetic, environmental, age, and health-related factors. Factors affecting egg quality include:

• Genetic Factors: A critical determinant of egg quality, genetic information directs the correct replication and repair of DNA during egg development. Abnormal genetic material can lower egg quality and increase the risk of miscarriage.
• Age: Age is one of the most crucial factors determining egg quality. As a woman ages, egg quality declines, becoming more noticeable especially after age 35. Aging also increases the likelihood of genetic errors, which can lead to abnormal embryo formation.
• Smoking: Smoking can negatively impact egg quality, as it reduces ovarian circulation and leads to toxin buildup, ultimately affecting the health of eggs.
• Chronic Diseases: Chronic illnesses can place continuous strain on the body and adversely affect ovarian function. Conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and thyroid problems can lower egg quality.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to chemicals, radiation, and toxins can harm egg quality, damaging the ovaries and causing DNA damage.
• Autoimmune Diseases: Autoimmune diseases, where the body attacks its tissues, can harm the ovaries.
• Poor Nutrition: Unhealthy or inadequate nutrition prevents the body from obtaining essential nutrients. The lack of nutrients necessary for egg development can decrease egg quality.

Steps to Improve Egg Reserve and Quality

To improve egg reserve and quality, consider the following steps:

• Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle: A healthy lifestyle is the fundamental step to increasing egg reserve and quality. Adopting a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and protecting the body from harmful toxins support egg health. Avoiding smoking is also essential.
• Consuming Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals and can improve egg quality. It is important to consume foods rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene.
• Getting Enough Rest and Avoiding Stress: Lack of sleep and chronic stress can affect hormone levels and lower egg quality. Getting enough rest and reducing stress are important.
• Fertility-Enhancing Supplements: Some women may consider taking supplements to boost fertility after consulting their doctor. Supplements like folic acid, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids can support egg health.
• Ovarian Stimulation Therapy: This therapy is used to increase egg production by using hormonal medications that encourage the ovaries to produce more eggs. This treatment is commonly used before egg retrieval in IVF or other reproductive procedures.

Egg reserve and quality can sometimes be out of control due to genetic factors. However, with healthy lifestyle choices and professional guidance, positive steps can be taken. Each individual is different. It is essential not to miss routine check-ups and consult a specialist before starting any treatment.