5 things to make Ovum quality better

The ovum or egg cell is a non-motile female gamete that fuses with the motile sperm during fertilization and results in the formation of the zygote/fertilized egg. This zygote becomes an embryo and starts developing into a fetus.

The ovum has a central nucleus that contains the female’s genetic material; this, with the genetic material in the sperm cell, determines the inherited characteristics of the child. 

Poor egg quality is caused by diminished ovarian reserve and is one of the most common causes of infertility, especially in women over 35. Egg quality is important because it determines embryo quality. Poor egg quality is closely associated with chromosomal abnormalities in embryos.

As of now, there is no effective and practical strategy for delaying ovarian aging or improving oocyte quality. However proper lifestyle measures can go a long way in ensuring a good pregnancy outcome and a healthy child.

Given below are some of the tips for a healthy Ovum – 

• Diet

Studies have demonstrated that adherence to a Mediterranean diet, characterized by higher intake of unsaturated fats, lower intake of animal fats, and lower ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, is also associated with a reduced risk of many chronic diseases, improved fertility rates, as well as larger embryo yield in IVF, and better pregnancy outcomes

Stay away from refined carbs, processed food, excessive salt and sugar intake. These can lead to obesity which inturn can affect the quality of oocytes.

• Exercise/Yoga

Models of diet-induced obesity in mice have shown that exercise improves, but does not reverse, damage imparted on oocytes as a result of a high fat diet.  It has been shown that exercise has a significant impact on health, and that regular exercise supports healthy body weight, good circulation, positive mental health, good digestion, a healthy body and helps reproduction.

Specific yoga asanas can help improve blood flow to the reproductive system and help in dealing with infertility. Apart from that, Yoga helps to destress and improves the overall health and well being resulting in better pregnancy outcomes. Poses such as the lotus pose, child’s pose, reclining hero and seated forward bend poses offer a specific fertility benefit

• Sleep

While there appears to be a relationship between sleep disturbance and reproductive health, little is known about which form of sleep disturbance is related to reproductive capacity and which specific aspects of reproductive capacity are particularly affected. 

Chronic insomnia can increase stress hormones which inturn can affect fertility.

• Stress management

Stress can produce hormones such as cortisol and prolactin that can interfere or halt ovulation, which also hinders egg production. Stress-reducing activities such as yoga, meditation, exercise or indulging in a hobby can help to manage stress. 

• Freeze your eggs

With time, a woman’s natural fertility declines, but frozen eggs remain the same biological age as when they are cryopreserved, boosting your chances of future success. This increases the chances of a healthy progeny.