Every woman wishes to get pregnant and have their own child. But sometimes fate doesn’t work in your favor, and you might have trouble conceiving. If you visit a fertility doctor and diagnose the issue, there are chances that your egg quality is low.
So, what is egg quality? Egg quality refers to characteristics an egg has that define its ability to get fertilized, implant in the uterus, and develop into a healthy baby. A good quality egg is chromosomally normal (euploid). In contrast, a poor-quality egg has an abnormal number of chromosomes (aneuploid).
So, how do you know if your egg has poor quality? What are the signs and symptoms you can look out for so that you can take necessary actions early? Continue reading this article to know the signs and causes of poor egg quality.
Symptoms of Poor Egg Quality
Checking if you have poor egg quality can be fairly easy if you know where to look and how to understand the symptoms. You can also visit a doctor and have your eggs analyzed. Below are some symptoms you might experience if you have poor egg quality.
Difficulty in conception
Having difficulty conceiving is one of the most prominent signs of poor egg quality. This is more common in women over 35 who have a low ovarian reserve. It is best to consult a fertility specialist if you have been trying but failed to get pregnant for about a year.
Recurrent miscarriages
Recurrent miscarriage is a very serious issue and must be treated immediately. Having one or two miscarriages is normal. However, repeated miscarriages can signify a serious issue. You should see a doctor immediately if you have been having repeated miscarriages.
Irregular menstrual cycles
Your eggs need to be of good quality to be released every month. If you have irregular menstrual cycles, it might mean your egg quality is not good. Irregular or no periods can also be a sign of infertility. It is best to consult a fertility doctor if you have irregular periods.
An abnormal number of chromosomes
A good quality egg has 23 chromosomes. When it gets fertilized by a good-quality sperm with 23 chromosomes, the resultant embryo will have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). This is how chromosomes work.
But if your egg has more or less than 23 chromosomes, the resultant embryo will have an abnormal number of chromosomes and has a higher chance of having chromosomal abnormalities.
Low FSH reserves
FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. It is responsible for signaling the ovaries to produce new eggs every month. If FSH is slow, the ovaries might not produce new eggs every month, leading to anovulation. It can also decrease the quality of eggs.
Low levels of estradiol
Estradiol is the hormone that passes signals from the ovaries to the brain. It is needed to stimulate the follicles to grow and produce eggs. Low estradiol minimizes brain signals and causes anovulatory problems and decreased egg quality.
Low levels of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH)
AMH hormone is released by the egg cells during the early stages of their development. They are essential for their growth and maturation. Low levels of AMH can inhibit their development and affect their quality.
Low Follicle Count
Low egg reserve can also indicate a decrease in egg quality. Low follicle count usually happens if you are older or if you have infertility issues. Both factors can affect the quality of the eggs.
Causes of Poor Egg Quality
Above, we have discussed some signs and symptoms that can indicate poor egg quality. But what are the factors that can affect egg quality? Listed below are some of the causes of low egg quality.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the uterine tissues grows on the outer lining of the uterus or other reproductive parts. This can affect egg development and decrease their quality.
Radiation therapy
High doses of radiation can affect your reproductive organs and decrease the quality of your eggs.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, especially during cancer treatments, can severely affect your fertility. Most doctors recommend patients preserve their eggs (oocyte cryopreservation) before starting the treatments.
Pelvic infection
Pelvic infections can damage the fallopian tubes and prevent eggs from reaching them for fertilization. It can also prevent the sperm from passing through the fallopian tubes to fertilize the eggs.
Autoimmune disorders
Autoimmune disorders can affect the ovaries and reduce ovarian reserve. T can also decrease the quality of the remaining eggs.
Genetic abnormalities
Genetic abnormality is one of the major factors affecting an egg’s quality. It can also affect the quality of the developing embryo and cause genetic abnormalities in the baby.
Smoking
According to research, women who smoke have a higher number of low-quality eggs than women who don’t smoke.
Prior ovarian surgery
Previous ovarian surgeries can affect the functions of your reproductive system and decrease the quality of your eggs.
Tubal diseases
Issues with your fallopian tubes are often one of the major causes of infertility and egg-quality-related problems. They can affect your ovaries and decrease egg quality.
Conclusion
Having poor egg quality can drastically affect your chances of having a successful pregnancy. The chances of fertilization are also low if the egg has low quality. Even if you somehow get pregnant, you have a high risk of miscarriage or the baby having chromosomal abnormalities.
If you have been unable to get pregnant or suffering miscarriages, it is best to visit a Gynecologist and check the quality of your egg. You can try for pregnancy again after resolving the issue.
Some signs that can indicate poor egg quality are the inability to get pregnant and the inability to carry the baby to full term. If you have been having these issues, it is best to consult a fertility doctor and diagnose the issue.
FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. It is responsible for signaling the ovaries to produce new eggs every month. If FSH is slow, the ovaries might not produce new eggs every month, leading to anovulation. It can also decrease the quality of eggs.
Some factors that can affect the quality of your eggs are:
- Endometriosis,
- Chemotherapy,
- Radiation therapy,
- Autoimmune disorders,
- Pelvic infections,
- Genetic abnormalities, etc.
