Why You’ll Need Three Months to Improve Egg Quality and Support Your Fertility Health

If you have been experiencing fertility challenges, chances are you have heard of the importance of egg quality on fertility health. The quality of a woman's eggs plays a major role in her fertility. The great news is, there are some steps you can take to improve the quality of your eggs and increase your chances of conceiving.

In this blog post, I'll go over some tips for improving egg quality and supporting fertility in three months. Why three months? That’s the amount of time it usually takes for eggs to mature. During this time, nutrients that a woman gets from their diet and supplements and benefits from an improved lifestyle can benefit the maturing eggs. By the time they fully mature, their quality will be improved from the changes implemented. 

So what things can you do to support egg quality? I'll cover diet and nutrition tips, supplement suggestions, and even some exercise and sleep tips. I'll also discuss the role of acupuncture in improving egg quality. Finally, I'll talk about some common mistakes to avoid when trying to improve egg quality.

Whether you're trying to get pregnant naturally or are preparing for IVF, you’ll want to keep reading.

It Can be Done, but it Takes Time…

With the right diet and lifestyle changes, you can make a big difference in the quality of your eggs. This, in turn, can give you a better chance of conceiving. Here are some tips to get you started.

First, it’s important to understand that improving egg quality is a process. It takes time and effort to make lasting changes. It may take several months before you start seeing results. 

Second, lifestyle changes may be necessary. This includes changes to your diet, exercise routine, and sleep habits. Third, you may need to take supplements to support egg quality. Finally, acupuncture may be beneficial for some women.

Now that you know the basics, let's talk about how to improve egg quality and support your fertility..

How to Support Fertility and Improve Egg Quality

The first step in improving egg quality and supporting fertility is to make some lifestyle changes. This includes changes to your diet, exercise routine, and sleep habits. All of these can play a role in improving egg quality.

First, let's talk about diet. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is essential for supporting fertility and improving egg quality. This means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains. Avoid processed and refined foods, which can be detrimental to your fertility.

It's also important to get enough vitamins and minerals. Some of the most important vitamins and minerals for fertility include B vitamins, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and iron. You can get these from food sources such as leafy greens, nuts, and legumes. Alternatively, you can take a quality prenatal vitamin to ensure you're getting enough of these important nutrients.

Diet and Nutrition Tips to Improve Egg Quality

In addition to eating a healthy, balanced diet, there are some specific foods that can help to improve egg quality.

One food group that can be beneficial for fertility are omega-3 fatty acids. These are found in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines. They can help to reduce inflammation, which can improve egg quality.

Antioxidants are also important for fertility. Foods high in antioxidants include blueberries, dark chocolate, and green tea. These can help to reduce oxidative stress, which can damage the quality of your eggs.

Finally, it's important to get enough protein. Good sources of protein include lean meats, eggs, nuts, and legumes. Protein is essential for the development of healthy eggs.

Supplements to Support Egg Quality

In addition to a healthy diet, there are some supplements that can help to support egg quality.

One supplement that can be beneficial for fertility is Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). This is a powerful antioxidant that can help to reduce oxidative stress, which can damage the quality of your eggs. Make sure you find one that’s in the form of ubiquinol, which is a superior form of CoQ10. 

Another supplement to consider is DHEA. This is a hormone that can help to improve egg quality and support fertility. It's important to note, however, that it can have some side effects and is not for everyone. If you are considering taking DHEA, it is best to get tested first because for some it can cause adverse effects if their DHEA is already high. It's best to talk to your doctor before taking it. 

Finally, Vitamin D can be beneficial for fertility. Vitamin D is important for the development of healthy eggs. You can get Vitamin D from exposure to early morning sun or by taking a supplement. Keep in mind that if you are deficient in Magnesium, it may affect your absorption of Vitamin D.

Exercise to Improve Egg Quality

Exercise can have a positive impact on egg quality. Moderate exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming, fertility yoga, and cycling can help to improve circulation, which can be beneficial for fertility.

It's important to find an exercise routine that works for you. Try to find something that you enjoy and that you can stick with over the long term. It's also important to remember that too much exercise can have an adverse effect on fertility. So make sure to find a balance that works for you.

Sleep Tips to Improve Egg Quality

Getting enough sleep is essential for improving egg quality. Studies have shown that not getting enough sleep can lead to a decrease in egg quality. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

It's also important to establish a good sleep routine. Make sure to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. This will help to regulate your sleep cycle and will make it easier to get the rest you need.

Finally, make sure to create a sleep environment that is conducive to good sleep. This means keeping your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. Avoid using electronics in the bedroom and limit your caffeine intake in the afternoon and evening.

The Role of Acupuncture in Improving Egg Quality

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that can be beneficial for fertility. It involves stimulating specific points on the body with needles. This has been shown to help improve egg quality and increase the chances of conception.

Acupuncture works on balancing a person’s “pattern” so that their body can get into a natural, self-healing state. When patients come in, I first assess their pattern and tendency in order to create a treatment protocol. The points chosen are both distal and local. Meaning that distant points can be used to treat something they aren’t necessarily close to.

Local points are usually placed around the pelvis to encourage blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. This assists in helping the blood carry the nutrients that are absorbed from the diet and lifestyle protocols implemented for egg health, so that it can support the maturing eggs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Improving Egg Quality

When trying to improve egg quality, it's important to avoid some common mistakes.

First, don't rely solely on supplements to improve egg quality. Supplements can be beneficial, but they should be used in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle changes. It’s also important to keep inflammation down so that absorption of supplements can be optimized. This can be done with a balanced diet.

Second, if you are stressed trying to do everything perfect in regards to egg quality, it will impact your hormone balance as well as sleep. So make sure to find a balance that is realistic for you.

Finally, don't try to rush the process. Improving egg quality takes time and patience.

Conclusion

Improving egg quality and supporting fertility may seem overwhelming at first. But with the right diet, lifestyle changes, and supplements, you can make a big difference in your fertility health and egg quality. 

In this blog post, I discussed why three months is a necessary time to improve egg quality and support fertility. Diet and nutrition tips, supplement suggestions, and even some exercise and sleep tips were discussed. I also shared the benefits of acupuncture on improving egg quality. Finally, I talked about some common mistakes to avoid when trying to improve egg quality.

If you're trying to get pregnant or just want to make sure you have the best quality eggs possible, then following these tips can help. Keep in mind that improving egg quality takes time and patience, so be sure to be consistent and stick with it. If you would like more customized help in order to improve your egg quality with acupuncture or online consultations, be sure to schedule your free fertility discovery call. 

Fertility Yoga & Acupuncture: A Winning Combo

Shared Origins

Yoga and acupuncture both have deep roots, originating in Asia and dating back thousands of years. Acupuncture is based in Traditional Chinese Medicine, while the foundation of yoga is Ayurvedic Medicine. These two forms of energy medicine have evolved and cross pollinated over the centuries, especially as they’ve moved from East to West. Both yoga and acupuncture focus on healing and maintaining optimal health by removing energy blockages, releasing excess energy and generally supporting good energy flow. Known as qi in TCM, practitioners use various tools such as needles and massage to help move energy along meridian lines in the body. In yoga, the life force or energy is known as prana. Movement, breathing and meditation are used to move energy and create balance in the body.

I have personally witnessed the power of these two forms of energy medicine coming together in supporting women who are trying to conceive. I have 20+ years of experience in the healing arts and for over a decade II have worked with women in a fertility clinic setting. I had the privilege of being involved in the creation of an Integrative Fertility Clinic where I saw firsthand that the women who were supported by both acupuncture and yoga experienced greater success on their fertility journey. The two practices complimented one another perfectly, leaving women feeling nourished and deeply relaxed. 

Benefits of Yoga for Fertility

It has been well established that yoga is good for fertility not only physiologically, but also mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. It is a gentle form of movement that is doctor recommended and appropriate as preparation for and support through fertility treatment (and beyond, into pregnancy). Extreme forms of exercise can sometimes harm fertility potential by directing blood flow away from reproductive organs and spiking cortisol levels.  Yoga for fertility directs blood flow towards reproductive organs to create a nurturing internal environment for those eggs and embryos. Increased blood flow helps to reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and balance hormones. The cycle-specific yoga videos in the Fertile Hope Yoga library ensure that women who are practicing are confident, knowing that the poses will support them exactly where they’re at. Whether menstruating, stimming, going through an IUI, IVF or FET, during a two week wait, or while on a break, there’s a specially designed practice for each stage of the journey.

Similar to acupuncture, yoga is also an excellent stress reliever. We all know that stress is not fertility friendly and yet struggling to conceive or going through fertility treatment is inevitably stressful. The breathing and mindfulness techniques that are part of yoga help to ground you in the present moment and bring you back to your calm center. Yoga has been proven to reduce anxiety and depression, which can also boost fertility. 

Fertility Yoga for All

After establishing an in-person yoga program through the Integrative Fertility Clinic - which saw a 90% success rate in achieving pregnancy among participants of the program - I decided that I wanted to reach even more women and launched Fertile Hope Yoga in 2019. FHY is an entirely online yoga studio which allows anyone from anywhere to access beginner-friendly, cycle-specific yoga for fertility anytime! Because of its accessibility, doctors recommend my program to their patients especially where other forms of support such as acupuncture might not be available and during clinic shutdowns during the pandemic. Something that I say often to my students is that even when so much of the fertility journey is out of your control, focus on what you can do for your fertility such as yoga. 

FHY is so much more than just yoga; it is also a strong community that supports and encourages each other every step of the way. Together we work on releasing fear, building confidence and cultivating a positive mindset. I am proud to lead a global community of women who are each walking their unique fertility journey but who come together through their shared dream of becoming mothers. 

There is no such thing as too much support on the fertility journey. The challenges and heartbreak are real, but so is the hope that keeps you putting one foot in front of the other. Whether it is the support of acupuncture, yoga or both, know that your amazing body is capable of so much healing and growth, and you do not have to walk this journey alone.

For more information about Fertile Hope Yoga, and to get a free nurture yoga for fertility course, visit www.fertilehopeyoga.com. 

Erin McCollough

Founder, Fertile Hope Yoga

Acupuncture & Flow

As a Chinese Medicine practitioner I often find myself speaking of flow.  We try to find words to explain as best as possible what we know to be true in our experience, and for me the way to healing ultimately is to be in flow.  But what exactly does that mean?

Chinese Medicine originated over 3,000 years ago and it's understanding is tied to the ancient Taoist tradition which is translated as 'The Way'.  The way in Taoism cannot be explained in words as it is based on life's ebbs and flows which can only be experienced.  But here I am going to give it a go for the sake of translating what I have learned and experienced in watching my patients on their healing journey.  

The way, also known as 'Wu Wei' is the golden path where everything is effortless and perfect.  Yes, there is perfection here on earth and it's called 'nature' - that is, the way it was designed before obstacles or abnormal intervention.  Nature is designed with everything in mind.  It has perfect timing, perfect temperature, perfect growth - in it's ideal state.  But when obstacles arise - pollution, harm, interference, a lack of living by nature's rules - then disharmony occurs.  Although by design it's perfect, nature is so delicately interwoven that all parts need to work in unison for it to play out it's ultimate destiny.  

Such is our body - which is a part of the whole.  We see inside ourselves what we can also witness without.  We no longer are in sync with the light of nature since creating our own artificial light - and then we ask why there is such a huge epidemic of insomnia in modern times.  Our man made signals are causing us imbalance that we don't even perceive to be happening - partly because we've become so accustom to being in a dazed state due to overstimulation.  Our minds can only take so much information and then in order to deal with this properly we need to tune some of it out.  So we get used to tuning life out and then wonder why time speeds up these days.  I used to think it was just age until I began speaking with kids who also feel that time is going so fast.  If you asked me when I was their age when all these devices didn't exist, I would have said that a year felt like forever.

This is not to sound pessimistic, but in order to achieve balance we need to take an honest look at what is happening and why.  

So when people get out of balance, they develop symptoms, and that is usually when my phone rings.  The question that I get most often is 'Does acupuncture treat (insert symptom / condition)' and my answer is almost always the same.  So long as the condition is not so far along that it needs immediate medical intervention, my job is to figure out how I can create a condition in my patient's body which is optimal for healing.  My ultimate goal, is to encourage the body's own natural flow.

That job is not always easy, and at times it takes a lot of tries (because every 'body' responds differently to the many tools we have in Chinese Medicine).  Eventually, practitioners can figure out a way to hone in on the patient's pattern and work through their imbalance in order to restore harmony.  And when that happens, we get to witness what many consider to be miracles.  

But you have the power to restore harmony in your own body.  You can begin to live a life that is more harmonious with nature.  Taking walks during the day, abstaining from using devices or watching TV late at night, eating fruits and vegetables that are in season, and meditation are just a few examples of ways that you can create flow in your own life.  Since we can't change the ways of our modern life, we can still change our own behaviors to create homeostasis in our health.  Adopting this practice is vital in order to create lasting health and well being.  You are certainly worth the effort!  

Photo by Igor Ovsyannykov on Unsplash