As mentioned above, surgery to the ovaries—to remove a cyst or treat endometriosis—could damage the ovaries or reduce ovarian reserve. And chemotherapy and radiation, while obviously life-saving treatments for cancer and other illnesses, can destroy or damage a woman's eggs or cause premature menopause.
The main cause of poor egg quality is age, but it is not the only one; there can be other reasons too, including but not limited to pelvic radiation, ovarian surgery, any reproductive illness, genetic abnormalities, chemotherapy, excess consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and some unknown factors.
Poor egg quality is caused by diminished ovarian reserve and is one of the most common causes of infertility, especially in women over 35. Egg quality is important because it determines embryo quality. Poor egg quality is closely associated with chromosomal abnormalities in embryos, also known as aneuploidy.
Overexposure to certain environmental factors, such as pesticides and other chemicals, and radiation. Cigarette smoking, alcohol, marijuana, anabolic steroids, and taking medications to treat bacterial infections, high blood pressure and depression also can affect fertility.
The increased level of stress hormone such as cortisol reduces estradiol production possibly by affecting the granulosa cell functions within the follicle, which results deterioration in oocyte quality.
By age 30, fertility (the ability to get pregnant) starts to decline. This decline happens faster once you reach your mid-30s. By 45, fertility has declined so much that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely.
It is still possible for a woman with poor egg quality to get pregnant and stay pregnant. The need is to see an experienced infertility specialist who can suggest the right line of treatment. The first step in this direction is to understand all egg quality and how it influences fertility.
Curb caffeine. Female fertility doesn't seem to be affected by caffeine intake below 200 milligrams a day. Consider limiting your caffeine intake to one or two 6- to 8-ounce cups of coffee a day. Be wary of overexercise.
Doctors have tests to measure egg count.
There are two good ways to measure egg count: an antral follicle count and an AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) test. During an antral follicle count, a doctor uses ultrasound to count the visible follicles.
Lifestyle choices affects egg quality
Smoking has a negative effect on the female reproductive system, where it stops the ovaries from working effectively, damages the eggs, and alters hormone levels. Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can also have a negative impact on your fertility.
In addition to its well-established role in neural tube defect prevention, research suggests folate plays an important role in promoting egg quality, maturation and implantation.
Once an egg becomes low in quality, or genetically abnormal, there is no way to reverse the damage. Egg quality is affected by a number of factors, including: Age. DNA damage is inevitable in older eggs.
A study named “Vitamin E as an Antioxidant in Female Reproductive Health” suggests that vitamin E improves women's overall reproductive health and improves egg quality.
We can be fairly certain that, even if stress may impact ovulation or implantation for women trying to conceive now, stress doesn't affect fertility or egg health in the long term.
Taking fertility supplements, eating a healthy diet, incorporating yoga into your daily routine, and managing your stress levels will improve all of the bodily processes that support fertility and quality egg development.
Does stress cause infertility? While it's unlikely that stress alone can cause infertility, stress interferes with a woman's ability to get pregnant. Research has shown that women with a history of depression are twice as likely to experience infertility. Anxiety also can prolong the time needed to achieve pregnancy.
Being overweight or underweight. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Health problems that cause hormonal changes, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and primary ovarian insufficiency.
The main symptom of infertility is the inability to get pregnant. A menstrual cycle that's too long (35 days or more), too short (less than 21 days), irregular or absent can mean that you're not ovulating. There might be no other signs or symptoms.
Infertility is a condition where you can't get pregnant after one year of trying to conceive. Causes of infertility can include ovulatory disorders, endometriosis, low sperm count or low testosterone. The risk of infertility increases as you age. Many treatment options are available for people with infertility.