How to Improve Egg Quality for IVF: Proven Tips for Better Results

7/10/2025 4:55:00 AM   Lotus IVF Team   

For many hopeful parents, the journey to conception through IVF is one of courage, resilience, and hope. Among the many factors that influence IVF success, egg quality stands out as one of the most crucial—and often most misunderstood.

Whether you’ve just started exploring IVF or have been on this path for a while, understanding the importance of egg quality can help you take informed, proactive steps. Poor egg quality can lead to failed fertilization, chromosomal abnormalities, or failed implantation, which can be heartbreaking. But the good news? You can make meaningful changes to enhance your egg health—and increase your chances of IVF success. At Lotus IVF, Bareilly, we believe that every woman deserves a personalized and compassionate approach to fertility care. Our fertility experts closely monitor not just your hormone levels and cycle but also help you take charge of improving your egg quality through diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes.

What is Egg Reserve?

Egg reserve, or ovarian reserve, refers to the number of eggs a woman has remaining in her ovaries. Unlike men who produce sperm continuously, women are born with all the eggs they will ever have—about 1 to 2 million at birth, which declines over time:

• Puberty: ~300,000–500,000 eggs
• Age 30: ~10–20% of reserve remains
• Age 40: Egg numbers and quality decline rapidly
• Menopause: Less than 1,000 eggs remain, typically of poor quality

How is Egg Reserve Measured?

Fertility specialists evaluate egg reserve using the following tests:

• AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone): Secreted by ovarian follicles; stable and reliable for reserve estimate.
• AFC (Antral Follicle Count): Done via transvaginal ultrasound; counts visible follicles in early cycle.
• FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone): Higher levels may indicate reduced ovarian function.

A good egg reserve means more eggs can be retrieved in IVF, offering better embryo selection. However, egg quality is equally—if not more—important.

What is Egg Quality?

Egg quality refers to an egg’s genetic integrity, energy potential, and ability to mature, fertilize, and support a healthy embryo. A poor-quality egg may not:

• Fertilize with sperm
• Develop into a viable embryo
• Implant properly in the uterus
• Sustain a pregnancy

Why Is Egg Quality So Important?

Even if you produce a large number of eggs, if they are not genetically healthy, IVF may fail. High-quality eggs are chromosomally normal (euploid) and have strong mitochondrial energy, ensuring proper division and embryo growth.

How Do Egg Reserve and Quality Affect IVF?

• Egg Reserve: Determines how many eggs can be retrieved during ovarian stimulation.
• Egg Quality: Determines how many retrieved eggs can result in healthy embryos and live birth.

A woman with fewer, high-quality eggs may have a better IVF outcome than someone with many low-quality eggs. Hence, the focus is not just on numbers—but on the potential of each egg.

What Factors Affect Egg Quality?

Multiple internal and external factors affect egg quality. Some of these can be controlled; others, like age, cannot.

1. Age

• After age 35, egg quality begins to decline significantly.
• By 40, more than 60% of eggs may be chromosomally abnormal.

1. Genetic Factors

• Inherited genetic conditions may affect how eggs develop, mature, or divide.

1. Lifestyle Habits

• Smoking accelerates egg loss and increases chromosomal errors.
• Alcohol & caffeine in excess can interfere with ovarian hormones.
• Drug use, including anabolic steroids and marijuana, reduces fertility potential.

1. Stress

Long-term stress elevates cortisol, which negatively affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, disrupting ovulation and egg development.

1. Weight & Hormonal Disorders

PCOS, thyroid disorders, and insulin resistance disturb egg maturation.

Obesity or being underweight disrupts hormone balance.

1. Environmental Exposure

Toxins like BPA, heavy metals, parabens, and pesticides can damage egg DNA.

5. Scientifically Proven Ways to Improve Egg Quality Before IVF

Egg development begins 90 days before ovulation, so planning at least 3 months before IVF is ideal

A. Adopt a Fertility-Boosting Diet

Antioxidants fight cellular damage and oxidative stress in eggs.

 Include foods rich in:

• Vitamin E (nuts, seeds)
• Vitamin C (citrus fruits, berries)
• Folate (leafy greens)
• Zinc & Selenium (whole grains, eggs, meat)
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (salmon, flaxseeds) \

B. Reduce Stress

Incorporate stress-relief activities daily:

• Yoga and guided meditation
• Acupuncture (shown to improve blood flow to ovaries)
• Counseling or support groups

 C. Exercise Regularly

• Maintain BMI between 18.5 to 24.9
• Avoid over-exercising, which may suppress ovulation
• Include 30 mins of walking, swimming, or yoga

D. Detox Your Environment

• Avoid heating food in plastic containers (no BPA)
• Use natural skincare and household products
• Minimize exposure to traffic pollution and industrial fumes

E. Treat Underlying Conditions

• PCOS, endometriosis, hypothyroidism, and insulin resistance must be well-managed for IVF success
• Your fertility specialist at Lotus IVF Bareilly will tailor treatment accordingly

How Lotus IVF Bareilly Helps Improve Egg Quality

At Lotus IVF Bareilly, we go beyond medications. Our egg quality enhancement approach includes:

• Advanced diagnostics: AMH, AFC, hormonal panels
• Personalized IVF stimulation protocols
• Nutritional counseling
• Stress and lifestyle therapy
• Antioxidant and mitochondrial supplement plans
• Monitoring of response in real time

Conclusion:

Improving egg quality isn’t about miracles—it's about smart planning, lifestyle choices, and the right medical guidance. While you can’t control your age or genetics, you can take control of your health, nutrition, and fertility readiness. At Lotus IVF Bareilly, we understand the emotional weight behind every IVF journey. Whether you're preparing for your first cycle or recovering from a failed attempt, remember—your eggs can be nurtured and your chances can be improved. With our personalized IVF plans, advanced diagnostic tools, fertility-focused supplements, and compassionate care, we aim to help you turn hope into reality.

Egg quality is not just a number—it's the promise of possibility. Let's take that next step together.

FAQs:

Q1: What is considered a good AMH level for IVF?

A1: AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) levels between 1.0 to 4.0 ng/mL are generally considered healthy for IVF. However, IVF success also depends on egg quality, not just quantity.

Q2: How many eggs do I need for a successful IVF cycle?

A2: You don’t need hundreds of eggs. Even 6–10 healthy mature eggs can lead to viable embryos. One high-quality egg can be enough to conceive.

Q3: Does low egg reserve mean infertility?

A3: No. It means fewer eggs, but it does not guarantee infertility. Many women with low egg reserve conceive naturally or with IVF using tailored protocols.

Q4: Can I test my egg quality?

A4: Egg quality cannot be directly tested like AMH. However, age, fertilization rates, embryo development, and past IVF results offer strong clues.

Q5: What lifestyle changes have the most impact on egg quality?

A5: Diet, regular exercise, stress management, avoiding toxins (plastic, smoke), and adequate sleep are among the top evidence-backed lifestyle changes.

Q6: Can egg quality be improved after 35?

A6: Yes, with the right support. Although age affects quality, many women in their mid-to-late 30s and even early 40s have conceived with IVF by supporting egg health with antioxidants, supplements, and personalized care.

Q7: Do fertility supplements actually help improve egg quality?

A7: Yes. Research supports supplements like CoQ10, Myo-inositol, Vitamin D, and folic acid in enhancing mitochondrial function and egg maturation when taken consistently under medical supervision.

Q8: How does stress affect my fertility and eggs?

A8: Chronic stress can interfere with hormone production, delay ovulation, and reduce egg quality. Stress-reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, or therapy can significantly support fertility.

Q9: Will I need donor eggs if my egg quality is poor?

A9: Not always. Many women improve egg quality through lifestyle, medical protocols, and supplements. Donor eggs are considered only if all other options fail or age-related damage is too high.

Q10: How can Lotus IVF Bareilly help with low egg reserve or poor egg quality?

A10: At Lotus IVF Bareilly, we create personalized plans including:

• Mild stimulation IVF protocols
• Fertility supplements
• Antioxidant therapy
• Hormonal balance support
• Lifestyle and nutritional coaching

Our goal is to optimize every egg retrieved and improve embryo success rates.

Q11: Can endometriosis or thyroid issues affect my egg quality?

A11:  Yes. Both conditions can affect egg development and hormone regulation. However, with proper treatment, many women with these conditions conceive successfully through IVF.

Q12: Is there an age limit for IVF?

A12: Biologically, fertility declines after 35 and becomes more challenging after 40. Many IVF centers suggest age 45 as a general upper limit, but it varies case by case. Success is heavily tied to egg quality and overall health.