When it comes to getting pregnant, whether naturally or via IVF, it is crucial to optimise your eggs first. Achieving pregnancy is more about the quality of your eggs than the quantity. Understanding the period of folliculogenesis and the factors that influence egg health can significantly impact the success of your IVF journey.
In this post I will delve into some of the science behind egg regeneration, factors that influence your egg health, and I will provide some great natural medicine and lifestyle recommendations to support your egg health.
Understanding Folliculogenesis
Folliculogenesis is the process by which ovarian follicles mature, starting from primordial follicles and culminating in the release of a mature egg during ovulation. This process takes approximately 90 to 120 days. Therefore, a minimum of three to four months should be dedicated to if you want to optimise your eggs before starting IVF.
Key Aspects of Egg Regeneration
To optimise your eggs before IVF, it’s important to focus on several key aspects of egg regeneration. These factors work together to improve egg quality and overall reproductive health:
Hormonal Balance
Ensuring balanced levels of reproductive hormones is critical for egg quality. Hormonal imbalances, such as elevated levels of androgens or prolactin, can negatively impact ovulation and egg maturation. Natural ways to modulate FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) levels include managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and using specific herbs like Vitex (chasteberry), which can support hormonal balance.
Progesterone in particular plays a crucial role in supporting egg quality, fertility, and endometrial receptivity.
(Endometrial receptivity refers to the ability of the lining of the uterus, the endometrium, to allow an embryo to implant and establish a pregnancy.)
Adequate levels of progesterone help maintain a healthy uterine lining, which is essential for implantation and sustaining a pregnancy. Women can take micronised progesterone in the months leading up to the IVF cycle to improve their fertility and support endometrial receptivity, which can enhance the chances of successful implantation. This can be made at a compound pharmacy or your doctor can prescribe Prometrium 100mg to you (to take in the second half of your cycle before bed).
Nutrient Intake
Adequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals supports overall reproductive health. Key nutrients like folate, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants are crucial for egg development. A diet rich in these nutrients helps maintain the integrity of the egg’s genetic material and supports its growth.
Oxidative Stress Reduction
Minimising oxidative stress through antioxidants can protect eggs from damage. Oxidative stress can harm the delicate cellular structures of eggs, leading to poor quality. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and Ubiquinol (activated CoQ10) help neutralise free radicals and protect eggs from oxidative damage.
Mitochondrial Health
Healthy mitochondria are vital for energy production in eggs. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells, providing the energy needed for egg maturation and division. Supporting mitochondrial function through targeted nutrients like CoQ10 can improve the energy supply to eggs, enhancing their quality and viability.
Screening and Treating Underlying Conditions
Several diseases and health conditions can also negatively impact egg quality. Some of these conditions include: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, thyroid disorders, and poorly managed diabetes can all disrupt hormonal balance and cause inflammation, reducing egg quality. Autoimmune diseases, obesity, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), chronic stress, and cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can also harm reproductive tissues and eggs. Screening and managing these conditions through appropriate natural and medical treatment is crucial for maintaining or improving egg quality and overall reproductive health.
Screening and Treating Missed Vaginal Infections
Vaginal infections, such as Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) , yeast infections, ureaplasma and mycoplasma can disrupt the natural balance of the vaginal microbiome, leading to inflammation and the release of harmful cytokines and free radicals that can damage ovarian follicles and eggs. Screening for many of these infections is not standard practice during fertility treatment, making private screening essential if you want to protect your reproductive and egg health.
Analysing Methylation to Enhance Egg Quality
Methylation is a biochemical process that involves adding a methyl group to DNA, which is crucial for gene regulation and maintaining DNA integrity. This process significantly influences egg quality in women by ensuring proper DNA synthesis and repair within the eggs. Methylation is controlled by various nutrients, in particular the B vitamins including B6, B12, and folate. Adequate intake of these vitamins supports optimal methylation and everyone has unique requirements. Analysing a woman’s methylation profile is also important as it helps determine the most effective form of B vitamins to take; for instance, some women may benefit more from folinic acid or 5-MTHF instead of folic acid due to genetic variations that affect folic acid metabolism. A woman’s unique methylation profile can be mapped via a private blood test, providing personalised insights into her nutritional needs to enhance egg quality and overall reproductive health.
My Top Natural Medicine Recommendations For Optimising Your Eggs Before IVF
CoQ10
Supports mitochondrial function and energy production in eggs. CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect eggs from oxidative damage and improves their energy production, which is crucial for proper maturation and development. Due to its superior bioavailability, experts prefer ubiquinol, and they consider Kaneka ubiquinol the highest quality in the world.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s are crucial for reducing inflammation, which can harm egg quality and overall fertility. The best food sources of Omega-3 include salmon, mackerel, oysters, sardines, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. However, if you have an oestrogenic condition like endometriosis, it’s wise to limit seafood and focus on plant-based sources. This is because the high levels of plastics in the ocean can act like oestrogen in the body (xenoestrogens), potentially worsening the condition.
(If you are looking to supplement, it’s also important to source a fish oil that has been filtered for microplastics.)
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for hormonal balance and ovarian function. This deficiency has been linked to poor ovarian function and reduced fertility, so ensuring adequate levels is important for reproductive health. It’s crucial to test your Vitamin D levels before supplementing, and to do this only after three months of magnesium supplementation (as magnesium is necessary for converting inactive Vitamin D to its active form).
Folate
Folate is important for DNA synthesis and repair, and crucial for the proper development and maturation of eggs, supporting genetic integrity and overall egg quality. It is important to have your methylation analysed to determine the best and most absorbable type of folate for you. Approximately 40% of the population cannot metabolise folic acid effectively due to MTHFR gene mutations, making it essential to choose the right form of folate.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress, protecting eggs from damage and enhancing their quality and viability. Its anti-inflammatory properties support a healthier reproductive environment, and it also improves mitochondrial function, providing essential energy for egg maturation. Additionally, resveratrol helps regulate hormones, promoting a balanced hormonal environment crucial for optimal egg quality.
Myo-inositol
Myo-inositol significantly benefits the health of your eggs by reducing oxidative stress and improving insulin sensitivity (which is particularly beneficial for women with PCOS). Its enhanced insulin sensitivity promoting effects also enhance ovulation. Myo-inositol also balances reproductive hormones and supports mitochondrial function, ensuring adequate energy for proper egg development and enhancing egg viability
NAD+/ NMN/ NR
Read more about these supplements below.
DHEA
DHEA may improve ovarian reserve and egg quality. However the evidence for DHEA for egg quality is extremely limited. DHEA should only be given sparingly to those who are truly deficient in it, with high doses associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer (any dose exceeding 50mg a day is considered high).
Melatonin
Although some recommend melatonin for optimising eggs before IVF, I advise caution as the research is limited and the risk of side effects is high. Low mood and depression are particularly concerning side effects of melatonin supplementation.
My Top Recommendations for Optimising Your Eggs Before IVF
Diet
Follow a nutrient-dense diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. A balanced diet provides the essential nutrients needed for egg health and overall reproductive function.
Exercise
Regular moderate exercise supports overall health and reduces stress. Physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, improves circulation, and reduces stress, all of which contribute to better egg quality.
Improve Your Vagal Tone
Improving vagal tone can help you optimise your eggs before IVF by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. The vagus nerve plays a key role in regulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls the body’s rest and digest functions. Practices such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness can improve vagal tone. By enhancing vagal tone, you can reduce stress levels, balance hormones, and improve blood flow to the reproductive organs, all of which are beneficial for egg health and fertility.
Support NAD+ Production
NAD+ is essential for cellular energy production and overall cellular health. Boosting NAD+ levels can support egg quality.
- NAD+/ NR/ NMN: Supplements that directly increase NAD+ levels.
- Intermittent Fasting 12 Hours On/Off: May enhance NAD+ production and mitochondrial function.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity boosts NAD+ levels.
- Consuming foods rich in NAD+ precursors: Such as dairy, fish, and mushrooms. Specific examples include:
- Mushrooms: Shiitake and crimini mushrooms.
- Fish: Sardines, mackerel, and salmon.
- Dairy: Milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Sleep
Ensure adequate, quality sleep to support hormonal balance and overall health. Poor sleep can disrupt hormone levels and negatively affect egg quality, so prioritising good sleep hygiene is important.
Avoid Toxins
Reduce exposure to environmental toxins by using natural products and avoiding pollutants is crucial if you want to optimise your eggs before IVF. Specific toxins that can affect egg health include:
- Pesticides: Found in non-organic fruits and vegetables.
- Phthalates: Present in many plastics and personal care products.
- Bisphenol A (BPA): Found in plastic containers and canned food linings.
- Heavy Metals: Such as lead and mercury, found in contaminated food, water and ai pollution.
- Halogens: Fluoride & chlorine exposures are linked to negative effects on egg quality. The top sources of fluoride include tap water, fluoridated toothpaste and non-organic teas. Top sources of chlorine include tap water, swimming in chlorinated pools and some home cleaning products.
- Xenoestrogens: Chemicals that mimic oestrogen and disrupt hormonal balance, often found in plastics, pesticides, seafood and personal care products.
- Air pollution: Air pollution can negatively impact fertility and egg quality through various pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, ozone , carbon monoxide , volatile organic compounds, heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and sulphur dioxide . These pollutants can cause systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalances, and DNA damage, all of which can impair reproductive health and reduce the chances of successful conception and healthy egg quality.
Ovarian PRP Treatment to Optimise Your Eggs Before IVF
A new and emerging treatment for optimising ovarian reserve is Ovarian Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. This innovative procedure involves injecting PRP, derived from the patient’s own blood, directly into the ovaries. PRP is rich in growth factors and has been shown to promote tissue regeneration and improve ovarian function. Some clinics are using ovarian PRP to enhance the quality and quantity of eggs. Which is particularly useful for those with diminished ovarian reserves or those experiencing premature ovarian aging. Early research suggests that PRP therapy could be a promising option for women looking to optimise their egg quality.
Conclusion
Taking the time to optimise your eggs before IVF can significantly enhance your chances of success. Remember, these considerations are vital. And whilst they are often not highlighted by fertility specialists, but they can make a substantial difference in your IVF journey.
Ready to take control of your fertility journey? Book a consultation with me to develop a personalised plan for optimising your egg quality and increasing your chances of IVF success.
Warm regards,
