How to Improve Egg Quality with PCOS
PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a hormone-related condition that can affect your cycle and fertility. If untreated, PCOS can eventually develop and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. It is diagnosed by having two out of the following three following symptoms elevated androgens, polycystic ovaries, and anovulation or irregular periods. As a syndrome, there is a collection of symptoms that are patient dependent. Due to this, PCOS can present very differently from person to person. It is important to understand your root causes driving your condition and receive proper treatment per each cause.
Egg quality can decrease with PCOS which can be a cause of infertility. This is due to gene expression changes in oocytes (eggs) in patients with PCOS. Here are 6 ways for how to improve egg quality with PCOS.
1. NAC
NAC stands for N-Acetyl Cysteine, which is the supplemental form of cysteine, an amino acid in our body that aids to produce a powerful antioxidant, glutathione. As a supplement, it helps to improve the body’s insulin response, lower testosterone naturally and helps to protect egg quality. It has also been shown to improve ovulation and pregnancy rates for those with PCOS. Because it helps with all 3 possible diagnostic criteria for PCOS, this is why NAC is one of the supplements for how to improve egg quality with PCOS.
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2. MYO-INOSITOL
Another one of the supplements for how to improve egg quality with PCOS is a vitamin B-like compound, Myo-Inositol. It has been shown to improve egg development and quality, and improve insulin sensitivity. Due to the insulin effect, Inositol can help to lower testosterone naturally levels which results in balanced blood sugar control. Though it can be supplemented, Inositol is found naturally in fruits like cantaloupe and citrus, but also in beans, brown rice, and other fiber-rich foods. Restoring all these mechanisms allows inositol to help regain ovulation which is how to improve egg quality with PCOS.
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3. COQ10 / UBIQUINOL
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) is another way to improve egg quality with PCOS. It is a complex process for the oocyte (egg) to mature properly, which needs lots of energy via the mitochondria process of oxidative phosphorylation for better egg development. CoQ10 is an enzyme involved in this mitochondrial energy-producing process. Studies have shown that this enzyme declines with age, and therefore egg quality also declines. Supplementing with CoQ10 is a great way to improve egg quality and also support ovulation.
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4. MELATONIN
Melatonin is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain and it has a role in sleep regulation with the circadian rhythm, which is daily changes in the body that happen throughout the day to indicate awakeness and sleepiness. One of the main mechanisms for why we feel awake and sleepy is the perception of light and darkness. Naturally, our body will start to get more tired as the sun goes down and vice versa. The way it affects ovulation is also an important relationship because melatonin can decrease oxidative stress due to antioxidant properties to protect and promote egg maturation. In addition, melatonin has a positive effect on progesterone, our pregnancy-promoting hormone, so this can also be a reason for better egg maturation. This is how melatonin is a way for how to improve egg quality with PCOS.
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5. VITAMIN D
Vitamin D is one of the essential fat-soluble vitamins necessary for bone density, but it can also help to lower testosterone naturally in those with PCOS. Vitamin D can best be synthesized from the sun, but in the winter months in a cloudy climate, it is essential to supplement because vitamin D is not abundant in many food sources. Vitamin D paired with evening primrose rose oil may help to regulate your menstrual cycle and help promote ovulation, making it a great supplement to lower testosterone. Additionally, vitamin D can help improve the development of the ovarian follicles which hold the egg inside. This is because a deficiency in vitamin D was found to interrupt the estrogen system and reduced the production of AMH (anti-mullerian hormone). This hormone is made by developing follicles. This is why vitamin D is a supplement for how to improve egg quality with PCOS.
6. DHEA
DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a weak androgen hormone. Supplementing it can be a way for how to improve egg quality with PCOS, but with caution. Since DHEA is an androgen, you must rule how that you do not have already elevated levels of it, or else supplementing is counter-intuitive. If you are low, this is a clue that supplementation can be useful. DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands and is a precursor to estrogen and testosterone levels. It helps to replenish these hormone levels for proper egg development. Levels can naturally decline with age, which is associated with age-related infertility and diminished ovarian reserve.
TAKE AWAY MESSAGE:
There are way to improve egg quality if you have PCOS . If you’re looking to understand the root causes of your PCOS, check out my hormone testing packages HERE.
Be sure to check out my FREE hormone guide & 5-day meal plan below for more hormone balancing tips. And my online course Heal Your Period: Everything you need to know to achieve a regular, pain-free period.
