So you want to get pregnant and recently read up on all the things you need to do - like tracking ovulation and timing intercourse. You've done some internet searches and asked your girlfriends what worked for them. Some women swear missionary is the only sure position, or eating yams boosts fertility?
We've heard it all. There's a lot that goes with trying to have a baby and you're not alone in figuring out what can increase your chances. At Premama, one of our goals is to help women conceive, and we're here to share what actually improves fertility. Spoiler alert: it has to do with your eggs. Read on to learn how to improve egg quality for IVF and natural conception.
What to Know About Your Egg Supply
Many women assume that fertility depends on the number of eggs in their ovaries. However, getting pregnant is more complicated than that. Now let's delve into the finer details. As you probably already know, women are born with all their eggs, about 1 to 2 million. While that number sounds like a lot, you lose thousands of eggs before puberty and shed about 1000 each month with every menstrual cycle.
Additionally, all women carry a percentage of abnormal follicles. Studies show that women in their 20's have mostly healthy eggs; only about 20 percent of their supply is atypical. The numbers flip with age. In her 40's, around 80 percent of a woman's eggs are unhealthy.
Ovulation 101
Here's the skinny on what happens during ovulation. Your eggs stay dormant in the ovaries until it's their turn for potential ovulation. Follicles have to mature for 90 days before they're a contender for ovulation. During the maturation process, the follicles go through cell division, but only one egg fully matures and is released during ovulation (usually—hello fraternal twins).
Eggs Are Susceptible to Aging
Older eggs are affected by the aging process, and they're more likely to have DNA errors happen during cell division. So, as you get older, your supply contains more unhealthy eggs, reducing the chance of pregnancy and increasing the risk of genetic disorders. But it's not all doom and gloom. You probably know several women who have delivered healthy babies in their 30's and into their 40's.
The Mitochondria May Be the Key to Egg Quality
Remember mitochondria from your high school biology class? Quick refresher: they're the powerhouse of the cells, including our eggs. Mitochondria produce ATP, and one of its functions is to form spindles and help cells properly divide.
When normal cell division fails in an egg, genetic disorders occur. Research shows that the eggs of older women contain fewer mitochondria. One theory attributes decreased fertility in women over 35 to reduced mitochondria. This also may be a reason for an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the embryos of women in their mid-30s and older. Now the good news: studies tell us that there are ways to support the mitochondria with specific nutrients, including B vitamins. Premama's Fertility Support for Her contains myo-inositol, a rock star B vitamin, which has been shown to improve egg quality.
Hormonal Disorders Also Affect Fertility
Aging isn't the only factor that impedes egg quality and fertility. Some women have a hormonal disorder, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs. Fertility Support for Her can be an effective treatment for poor egg quality.
A Researched-Backed Way to Improve Egg Quality
As we mentioned earlier, a proactive approach to boosting your fertility is by providing critical nutrients to mitochondria with B vitamins. Myo-inositol supports healthy ovarian function, especially in women with PCOS. Here's how: the hormone insulin regulates blood sugar, and insulin resistance appears to be a factor in PCOS. According to a study published in the International Journal of Endocrinology in 2016, women with PCOS who took a myo-inositol supplement experienced a notable improvement in the way their bodies utilized insulin.
Premama's Fertility Support for Her Contains Myo-Inositol
Learning about myo-inisitol's ability to help women conceive led the research team at Premama to develop Fertility Support for Her. Our supplement contains myo-inisitol to help boost egg quality and improve symptoms of PCOS and other hormonal disorders. It also includes the needed nutrients for supporting healthy ovulation, proper cell division, and implantation of a fertilized egg. Since healthy eggs can lead to pregnancy, Premama contains folate, a critical B vitamin for fetal development.
Improving Egg Quality and Quantity Takes Time
We know you'd like to get pregnant right now, and the pregnancy waiting game can be frustrating. Remember that an egg takes 90 days to mature before ovulation, which means that it can take three months for you to increase egg quality. It also takes time to balance hormones to improve symptoms of PCOS, irregular periods, and endometriosis. Luckily, there are ways to improve fertility: we recommend taking Premama Fertility Support For Her for at least 90 days to improve fertility. Just think—here's the perfect opp for practicing mindfulness, trying goat yoga, or taking that calligraphy class.
