How to improve egg quality?

[wtg4miracle]

Now I am on a different tanget. After assuming dh was our problem in conceiving the gears have shifted towards me. Dh had a repeat SA at the RE office and they told us everything is normal. WOW, we are kind of shocked. His morphs went from 4% (unknown criteria) to 15% strict krueger. I think cutting back to almost nothing cig smoking and cutting back alcohol and taking tons of anti-oxidants and mv helped.

Now they are concerned about me. Yup, I am 38 and my eggs are probably crappy. I am so worried that they are not healthy or strong enough to be fertilized.

Is there anything we can do to increase my egg quality. I know clomid can help but I am pretty sure I am ovulating alright

I heard that taking DHEA will help. I have two bottles and I was reading the warnings and they are sounding scary. It can cause high blood pressure,acne, hair loss, agressiveness, increase estrogen levels. I am willing to take it, I am so desperate now.

Please any suggestions, ideas will be helpful. We will be doing IUI for a few months and then onto IVF. But I need to have some good eggs left.

[amis2girls]

It's been seven years for me, but I used vitex and progesterone cream for a few months. The month after I did a cleanse (I used one from Nature's Way that I haven't seen since) I got pg with DD #1. I'd had three m/c, two of them were blighted ovum.

[poetgirl]

You know, the DHEA thing is controversial. My acup. said it *could* help but there's not enough to go on for her to advise it, FWIW. I recommend (and it seems I recommend this over and over) to get Randine Lewis' book "The Infertility Cure." She talks a lot about eggs and quality and how to improve it. Julia Indichovia wrote "Inconceivable" about how her FSH was the same as her age, 42. She actually got it down by over half I believe and got pregnant. I really enjoyed this book as well. For Julia, I know she drank a lot of wheatgrass and changed her diet radically. Some say acup. and chinese herbs can help with this and Randine talks a lot about that in her book too. Might be worth seeing if there's a good acup. in your area, one who specializes in fertility would be great.

But beyond that, : for the repeat SA. That is amazing news. I know you were dreading that. So glad it was better. Keep doing it all!

Hope that helps a little. Are you going to test your FSH soon? Also, have you had an u/s where they did an antral follicle count?

[wtg4miracle]

poetgirl--thanks for the advice. I do have the Infertility cure Book. Someone before suggested that I read it throughly and highlight areas that are important. I have briefly looked at the book. I might one day huncker down and start reading it faithly.

I have not gotten my FSH level yet. I am waiting for CD1 one to come around and have to make that dreadful call the RE office to schedule tons of bloodwork and ultrasound on cd3. This is going to be a very heartsobbing event when this happens. I have no clue whatsoever of my fsh levels are. It will be my first time doing it.

The clinic I go to have an accup. at the facility. I heard about wheatgrass also.

amis2girls--i have to look into vitex also. sorry about your mc.

[poetgirl]

OK to make it easier, dig the book out and read p. 3-20, 36-48 (w. questionaire), 80-87 (lots of dietary rec.), and Most Importantly p. 173-187!!!
Hope that helps.

[wtg4miracle]

Originally Posted by poetgirl

OK to make it easier, dig the book out and read p. 3-20, 36-48 (w. questionaire), 80-87 (lots of dietary rec.), and Most Importantly p. 173-187!!!
Hope that helps.

thanks poetgirl, I will be checking these out first.

[Kristin0105]

The Center for Reproductive Medicine (I think that's the name) has lots of info on DHEA. It is said to be very helpful. My TCM paractitioner gave me an article that said it was very beneficial in improving egg quality. It takes about 100 days for anything you do to help. The typical protocol is 25 mg x 3/daily. that proved too much for me as I developed acne so I dropped down to 25x 2 daily. The important thing to remember is that you should not take it if you have PCOS, adrenal problems, or breast cancer. It is also important to have your DHEA level checked after about 3-4 months. So your DHEA level does not get too high.

The other thing that has been proven to improve egg quality is acupuncture.

I also second the recommendation for The Infertility Cure.

In May my FSH level was 12.5 this past month after DHEA, supplements, chinese herbs, and acupuncture my FSH was 7.1.

Good luck.

[cincynana]

First off, congrats on the great SA follow up! That is awesome news

As for egg quality, I've read that protein really helps. So I would try the wheatgrass, whey protein shakes, 2% or whole milk and eggs. Eggs are suppose to be the "perfect" protein. I would also try acupuncture.

Good luck and KUP on your blood results when you're able to get them done.

[wtg4miracle]

Thanks everyone for the advice. You gals have great info here. I just went to the store and bought this product KYO-GREEN, a powdered drink mix. It has wheat and barley grass, brown rice, chlorella, kelo, FOS(have no idea what this is). Anyone using this product?

At the RE office they have an acupuncturist on site. I will be checking into this.

Yes cincynana-we are shocked that his SA was alright. We are relieved he is ok and now we are afraid that there is something wrong with me. YIKES. At least I know I need to focus more on me.

Kristin0105--thanks for letting me know DHEAs possible side effects and warnings. I will telling my doc that I will be taking it. Congrats on your decreased FSH levels. This is an inspiration for me.

[crazyrunningmama]

I am not nearly as well informed as most of the folks here, but one possibly helpful piece of info for you: I went through IVF in 2005 and again in July 2008. In 2008 I was 3 years older (obviously!!) and the only other change was I did accupuncture weekly for the couple of months leading up to ER. We got twice as many eggs in 2008 (25 eggs, 21 fertilized). I also find accupuncture good for stress management. The practicioner also had me take some cleansing supplements, a good prenatal and fish oil. Good luck to you.

[hethir]

Hi everyone,

I wrote a guide to increasing egg health. It includes a video and what you can do described in detail. http://natural-fertility-info.com/increase-egg-health

[Seedlings]

wtg4miracle ~ I am not sure I can explain this it may be clear as mud. But I am 39 and took 50 mg daily of dhea for about 4 months. Well imho it made my estrogen go wacky which is not good for egg quality and can cause cysts. Not all people have the results that I did with dhea and it does work for a lot of people which is why I tried it. Since I am perimenopause I was more susceptible to the dhea sending my estrogen out of whack (which is what happened and I developed cysts which I never had before). So I switched to Royal jelly. I took RJ for about 3 months and low and behold I got my bfp and my estrogen was normal.

[georgiep]

We were ttc for 4 1/2 years and was told by more than one specialist that I was unable to conceive with my eggs. I had elevated FSH and was in my late 30's. Tried everything in the book and then after the Dr's told me that they didn't need to see me any more I started researching and reading everything I could get my hands on. I came across some research studies on DHEA. Long story short I took 25mg 3 times a day and conceived on our own after a very short period. Our little boy just turned one. I have kept up with the studies that are being done and the success numbers are very impressive.

[naturalmom08]

Originally Posted by amis2girls

It's been seven years for me, but I used vitex and progesterone cream for a few months. The month after I did a cleanse (I used one from Nature's Way that I haven't seen since) I got pg with DD #1. I'd had three m/c, two of them were blighted ovum.

Very interesting. Looking to start ttc again soon after difficulty with #1, and I've been getting ready to do a cleanse here in between pregnancies and nursing. The cleanse I'm looking into is actually the Nature's Way Thisilyn Cleanse. I've read some excellent things about it, and it is one of the more gentle cleanses. But I definitely think it makes sense to do everything possible to get and keep the body in the best shape possible when having difficulty with conception (and I suppose really for anyone trying to get pg).

[OTMomma]

Royal Jelly- the stuff queen bees eat is supposed to increase egg quality, they eat it and make tons of eggs, soo...... I took it and had clomid like symptoms that month, tried actual clomid the next month and concieved. Clomid does actually help egg quality too, btw. Royal Jelly is available at GNC and health food stores.

[SunRise]

My acupuncturist swears by red clover (infusion) for bettering egg quality and getting pregnant. Drink that several times a day! And definitely get your cd3 FSH and estradiol checked. That will give you a starting point.

[Mariafridrik]

Can you tell me what type of DEAH you did use

[stevesmith]

HI,

The egg quality can be improved by changing life style. One should take less stress, better nutrition, supplements.Trying to avoid sugar and carbs,get more veggies and proper supplements.This help you lot.
 

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