Egg quality is one of the most crucial determinants of a female's ability to conceive. However, many do not pay much attention to this until they are struggling to conceive. Many factors can influence female infertility, including stress levels, lifestyle habits, and medical conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). One of the foremost contributing factors to female infertility remains the age-related decline in egg quality, particularly in women over the age of 35. But worry not-with accurate diagnosis and treatments, a reputed IVF clinic in Singapore can get you started on your journey to parenthood.
What Is Egg Quality?
The term "egg quality" describes whether an egg has "normal" (euploid) or "abnormal" chromosomes (aneuploid). When a chromosomally normal egg is fertilized by sperm (each carrying 23 chromosomes), the resulting embryo will be chromosomally normal with 46 chromosomes in total. Therefore, whether you are trying to conceive naturally or through IVF in Singapore, the quality of your eggs will play a crucial role.
Why Is Egg Quality Important in IVF Treatment?
Egg quality increases the likelihood of an embryo implanting in a woman's uterus. It is scientifically proven that high-quality eggs produce high-quality embryos capable of surviving the stages of development to culminate in a successful pregnancy.
Age and Egg Quality
As a female ages, she is more likely to produce a higher number of aneuploid eggs with too few or too many chromosomes. If an aneuploid egg is used for fertilization, the embryo will have either too few or too many chromosomes. The majority of aneuploid embryos fail to implant in the uterus or result in miscarriage. In some cases, aneuploid embryos can result in chromosomal diseases such as Down syndrome, which is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
As research indicates, 70% of a woman's eggs are chromosomally normal by the age of 30. At the age of 35, approximately 60% of a woman's eggs are chromosomally normal. By the age of 40, around 35% of a woman's eggs are chromosomally normal. Therefore, it is apparent that age has a direct impact on the quality of the eggs. If you are above the age of 35 and trying to conceive, it may be a good decision to seek a consultation session at a MoH approved IVF clinic such as Seng's OG Practice.
Stress Levels and Egg Quality
The Journal of Biomedical Science published by the National Library of Medicine (USA), in one of its articles mentions that "psychological stress could impact the biology of female reproduction by targeting at the level of ovary, follicle, and oocyte." The article draws further attention to how elevated stress hormones such as cortisol can possibly affect the granulosa cell function within the follicles. Therefore, if you are considering going in for IVF treatments in Singapore, it is important that you make a conscious effort to keep your stress levels under check.
Nutrition and Egg Quality
As the saying goes, "you are what you eat." As with all other aspects of health, eating a well-balanced diet is absolutely important while you are undergoing IVF treatments in Singapore or trying to conceive naturally. Make carbohydrates, fats, and proteins part of your diet, and throw in a good portion of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants. Supplement your diet with a daily intake of folic acid as prescribed by your medical practitioner.
Lifestyle Habits and Egg Quality
According to Mayo Clinic, some negative lifestyle choices you make can adversely impact your fertility journey too. Cutting down on your alcohol and caffeine intake, avoiding exposure to toxins, and being wary of over-exercising are all important when it comes to ensuring female egg quality. It is absolutely important that you stop smoking. Smoking ages your ovaries and depletes your eggs prematurely. So, if you are struggling to conceive naturally or getting ready to begin your IVF journey, it is advisable that you consider making some positive lifestyle changes.
How Seng's OG Practice IVF Clinic in Singapore Can Help You
We at Seng's OG Practice understand that undergoing IVF treatment is a physically and mentally demanding process. From running fertility tests to administering hormones and extraction of eggs and sperm, it is a time-consuming process. Our team at Seng's OG Practice is here to support you throughout your fertility journey. They will walk you through all the available fertility treatment alternatives at our facility. Our experienced staff is committed to providing you with safe and high-quality medical services that meet your specific requirements, and our doctors can assist you in determining measures to improve your fertility and increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Get in touch with us today and let our caring and supportive team become part of your IVF treatment journey.