“Is that a gray hair?” is the question I asked myself when I looked in the mirror a few weeks after my 32nd birthday. How time flies! It feels like just yesterday I was reveling in my 28th birthday on the beach, surrounded by friends and downing ten shots of tequila - yes! 10 shots - later that night, I went home and did my dishes, but that’s besides the point.
The reality of aging hit me square in the face, and as a woman, one of my deepest desires in life has always been to have children of my own. And you know what they always tell women “tHe OlDeR yOu GeT tHe HaRdEr It Is FoR yOu To CoNcEiVe” bla bla bla, we know the drill. But what they don’t tell you, very often, is that you can greatly increase your chances of conceiving later in life, if you maintain the health of your eggs. Let me share some facts with you;
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG), a female fetus typically has around 6–7 million eggs at 20 weeks of gestation, dropping to 1–2 million at birth. Eggs undergo changes as we age, both in quantity and quality.
Approximately 80–90% of your eggs are chromosomally normal at 25 years of age. However, by the time you get to 40, roughly 3/4 of our eggs become chromosomally abnormal. Yikes! Anyway, this clearly shows there is a relationship between aging and fertility in women, and just like the sunny side up, the eggs are at the center of it all.
I went a-searching to know the eggzact science behind egg health and I found out that there are biological, genetic, and environmental factors that influence the quality and viability of egg cells of which age and lifestyle are at the core. Don’t be spooked by how daunting it may sound because, as I said earlier, you can better your chances at conceiving later in life by improving the health of your eggs, and here are six ways to do that.
Don’t Be A Chimney!
You need to stop smoking, like yesterday! Take those packs of cigarettes, wrap them neatly and toss them in the bin! Do the same to your vapes (I didn’t forget about those!). Smoking and heavy drinking are part of the environmental factors that affect the health of your eggs. Smoking permanently speeds up egg loss in the ovaries. The chemicals in cigarettes mutate the DNA in a woman’s egg cells, making some of the eggs unsuitable for conception.
The Soft Life Is For You
Stress has never been a good thing and it ain't about to be one today. When you're stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol and prolactin. These hormones can mess with ovulation, sometimes even stopping an egg from being released altogether and we don’t want that. And I understand that we live in a crazy world, so stress is inevitable, but there are various ways you can de-stress. Try incorporating some stress relief rituals like yoga, exercise or a night out with your girlies. Sex and masturbating are also known to lower stress levels too so make sure to get your freak on as regularly as possible! ;)
Maintain A Healthy Weight
While it is true that being overweight can affect egg production, alter hormonal balance and disrupt ovulation, it is also true that when you are underweight, your body might prioritize survival over reproduction. This can lead to lower estrogen production, which is a key hormone for regulating your menstrual cycle. As a result, you might experience irregular periods or even miss them altogether because ovulation isn't happening. For your eggs to remain healthy and flourishing it is important to keep your weight checked especially as you get older.
You Better Workout B**ch
I bet you saw this one coming. Exercise does more than just keeping you snatched and fit! It helps your body keep its hormones in check. Steady and moderate exercises can help regulate hormones, improve blood flow throughout your body, and create a healthy environment for eggs to develop, which is exactly what you want.
Your Body Is A Temple, So Eat Like It!
The food you eat can significantly impact your reproductive health. To enhance egg health, there are nutrients that shape the balance of hormones. You can get a good dose of berries, carrots, leafy green vegetables and other foods that are rich in Vitamin C. Omega 3 found in fish is another food that can go to war for your eggs. Think whole grains, lean protein, eggs, and greens. These foods are packed with B vitamins, which help your body keep its energy up and contribute to healthy egg development.
Pussy Potions
While you maintain a good diet and workout routines, you can also incorporate supplements and herbs that are good for your reproductive health. Herbal teas that cater to the female reproductive and general health can help improve your lifestyle and your egg health by extension. Coenzyme Q10, melatonin and fish oil supplements can also encourage ovarian function, aid in sleep and can help with producing higher quality eggs.
Women are often made to believe that once they go past 30, your chances of having children is as good as gone, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. While age plays a significant role in how fertile a woman is, it is not the ONLY reason why women past 30 cannot conceive. With a few lifestyle adjustments, you can preserve the health of your eggs and ensure a healthy and seamless conception, whenever you are ready for a baby, that is!