Patient: Dr. Gulati, I’ve heard a lot about the importance of egg quality for IVF success. Can you give me a list of dos and don’ts to optimise my egg quality?
Dr. Gulati: Absolutely. It’s a common concern among patients. Everyone understands that better eggs mean better embryos and, consequently, a higher chance of pregnancy. However, the reality is that there is very little correlation between lifestyle changes and egg quality.
Patient: Really? I thought things like diet, exercise, and reducing stress would significantly improve my egg quality.
Dr. Gulati: While it’s true that leading a healthy lifestyle is important, its direct impact on egg quality is minimal. We measure egg quality by what’s called ovarian reserve, which can be assessed through a blood test for AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) levels or an antral follicle count via ultrasound.
Patient: So, these tests can give a clear picture of my egg quality?
Dr. Gulati: These tests provide some insight, but they are static and don’t tell the whole story. The only definitive way to assess egg quality is by undergoing an IVF cycle and observing how your ovaries respond. We look at how many follicles grow, the number of eggs retrieved, their maturity, and how many fertilise successfully.
Patient: That sounds like an expensive way to find out about egg quality.
Dr. Gulati: It is, and that’s why the advice we usually give is quite general and based on common sense. Maintaining the right body weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising, and leading a healthy lifestyle are all beneficial, but they don’t dramatically change egg quality.
Patient: So, there’s nothing specific I can do to improve my egg quality?
Dr. Gulati: Unfortunately, the amount of control you have over your egg quality is very low, and similarly, the control that doctors have is also limited. Accepting this fact can help you avoid unnecessary stress and self-blame. Factors like being too thin, too fat, or too stressed do not significantly impact egg quality as much as we might think.
Patient: That’s a bit disheartening. Is there any way to improve my chances?
Dr. Gulati: Focusing on what you can control is key. Follow a healthy lifestyle, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, and maintain a balanced diet. Beyond that, it’s about managing your expectations and understanding that some factors are beyond our control.
Patient: Thank you for the honest advice. Dr. Gulati.
Dr. Gulati: “You’re very welcome! If you need more details or personalized guidance, feel free to visit my website at www.eggdonors4all.com.”
Egg donation is a process where a woman (the egg donor) provides one or several eggs (also known as oocytes) for purposes of assisted reproduction, with the eggs being fertilized in the laboratory. Once fertilized, the resulting embryos are transferred to the recipient’s uterus to initiate a pregnancy, or they can be cryopreserved (frozen) for future use.