Typically, female fertility issues stem from two main problems: not enough eggs and/or unhealthy eggs. Unlike men, who continuously make new sperm throughout their life, women are born with all of the eggs they’ll ever have.
Though it’s not possible to increase the number of eggs you have, there’s plenty you can do to ensure existing ones’ health.
Diet and Exercise
A diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins (and low in sugars, fat, and processed food), is the best way to keep your body healthy. You should also exercise (aerobic and weight-bearing exercises) at least twice a week.
Maintain a Healthy Body Weight/ BMI
Obesity has been found to affect both a woman’s egg quality and ability to conceive because it alters natural hormone production. Ideally, women should have a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. The best way to maintain a healthy BMI is by eating well and exercising regularly.
DHEA Supplements
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone your body naturally produces. Its main function is to act as a precursor (a substance that’s eventually converted by the body into a hormone) to estrogen (the female sex hormone). DHEA peaks in a woman’s mid-20s and then gradually declines with age. If you’re having trouble conceiving, it may be due to a lack of DHEA.
Avoid Smoking
Just as smoking while pregnant negatively affects a fetus’ health, smoking can also affect a woman’s ability to conceive. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine reports that women who smoke undergo an average of twice as many in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts compared to women who do not smoke.
Practice Good Mental Health
Physical factors aren’t the only ones that can affect a woman’s ability to conceive. Stress, anxiety, and depression also play a role in infertility.
The best way to keep your eggs healthy is by living a healthy lifestyle, particularly in your teen and adolescent years. Ultimately, this is a long term investment. Even if you’re not thinking about having children for several years, the choices you make now will affect your egg’s health in the future.
Unfortunately, sometimes even the healthiest of women experience infertility and low-quality eggs for unknown reasons. If you’ve tried to conceive for several months or years, without success, call Asian Egg Bank. Thanks to rigorous quality and screening standards, we are able to offer the highest quality eggs and surrogacy services to improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.