How to improve egg quality

Immature egg: causes

In medicine, an immature egg is called an oocyte. This cannot contain inside the material that is needed for the subsequent development of a full-fledged and healthy embryo. How to determine that an egg is immature:

1. there is no polar body of the first;
2. no cell nucleus;
3. The condition of the shell leaves much to be desired.

An immature egg may be caused by the following:

1. the woman has exceeded the age of 40;
2. low-quality drugs to stimulate egg maturation;
3. individual intolerance to stimulation drugs;
4. history of missed pregnancies or miscarriages;
5. bad habits;
6. colds, flu, acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections;
7. presence of STDs;
8. general weakness of the woman’s body;
9. severe stress.

Sometimes an immature egg is a one-time occurrence. Sometimes it’s permanent. Treatment in this case should be prescribed by qualified specialists in the field of gynecology and obstetrics.

Unfortunately, today a very common disease is infertility, the cause of which is a disruption of the oocyte maturation process. Quite often, women come to clinics and reproductive medicine centers with complaints of lack of pregnancy. And upon examination it turns out that a woman produces an immature egg during the menstrual cycle. The reasons for the release of immature gametes can be:

• disorders of the ovaries that contribute to hormonal imbalance. This leads to the fact that there is no formation of follicular cells that surround the egg and nourish it until maturation, so it does not occur. The oocyte remains immature or in such cases there is no ovulation. This situation occurs in most cases with polycystic ovary syndrome.
• pathologies of the endocrine system that lead to hormonal imbalance. In most cases, this is due to pathologies of the pituitary gland, which disrupt the normal production of the hormones FSH and LH, which are involved in the process of egg maturation.
• A woman's age also affects the formation and maturation of eggs. Women over the age of 35 are more susceptible to the phenomenon of releasing immature eggs.
• infectious and inflammatory diseases, chronic, of the reproductive system, which leads to disruption of the processes of formation of follicular cells and release of the egg.
• Long-term stressful situations, emotional stress, and depression also negatively affect the quality of eggs. Stress, problems and increased emotionality cause increased production of prolactin, which significantly reduces the level of the hormones FSH and LH, which are involved in the process of egg maturation.
• drinking alcohol and smoking negatively affects all processes occurring in the body. When smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages, the process of maturation of eggs is disrupted and in most cases leads to impaired maturation or premature aging of eggs.
• Frequent colds and viral diseases lead to a weakening of the immune system and the body as a whole, which leads to disruption of all body systems, including the reproductive system. All this also affects the maturation of the egg.

The above reasons lead to the fact that the ovary is not able to produce a mature oocyte, which, when formed, stops at one of the stages of maturation. In addition, these disorders can affect the size of the follicle, which can lead to a lack of ovulation and, as a consequence, a lack of release of the egg.

An immature egg can be determined only after it has been released and collected from a woman, whether she is a donor or a future mother. This procedure is carried out by an embryologist in laboratory conditions using IVF programs. The degree of maturity is also determined using ultrasound diagnostics, which allows us to determine the maturity of the egg by the size of the follicle. So, an egg is considered immature when the oocyte has a Corona radiata of a light shade, not a dense consistency, and the polar body is absent.

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Why the egg does not mature: causes, treatment, how to get pregnant

A necessary condition for conceiving a child is a healthy egg and sperm, united and attached to the uterus in the form of a zygote. If the cell does not mature or does not leave the follicle, conception will not occur. There are several reasons why an egg does not mature, and they can be treated.

Egg maturation: how it should be

From birth, women have a supply of oocytes - immature eggs, about 400 thousand of them. With the onset of puberty and the onset of menstruation, the number of oocytes gradually decreases. Each cycle, under the influence of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone, the follicle matures.

The process of germ cell maturation can be described as follows:

• production of follicle-stimulating hormone;
• maturation of follicles in the ovary;
• rupture of the dominant follicle with release of the egg;
• movement of the reproductive cell towards the uterus;
• formation of the corpus luteum at the site of the follicle.

A follicle is a structural component of the ovary. Here the egg matures, surrounded by two layers of connective tissue and a layer of epithelium. Each cycle, several follicles mature in the ovary, but only one of them - the dominant one - will burst, releasing the mature germ cell.

At the site of the follicle, a corpus luteum forms, which produces a small amount of progesterone and estrogen. The work of the corpus luteum is necessary to thicken the uterine mucosa. At the same time, the egg does not stand still - it moves along the fallopian tubes towards the uterus.

This is where the female reproductive cell meets the sperm if attempts are made to conceive. A zygote is formed, which attaches to the prepared, thickened walls of the uterus.

The process of conception is facilitated not only by the work of the corpus luteum.

Under the influence of hormones, the rectal (basal) temperature rises to 37-37.5 oC - calendars are often compiled based on this criterion, calculating one’s own ovulatory phase for conception.

In female nature there is a place for individual characteristics of the process, but if it deviates from what is described, conception will not occur. For example, if the passage of the egg is blocked by inflamed fallopian tubes, or the cell does not mature.

How a follicle can behave

For a woman to become pregnant, the follicle must mature and release a full-fledged, healthy egg. But this doesn't always happen. Under the influence of hormonal imbalances and other reasons, the follicle may behave differently. Depending on the nature of the pathology, there are:

When the follicle ruptures, a small amount of fluid containing the released egg is released. But if the germ cell is not released, an ovarian cyst is formed. This happens due to hormonal imbalances and external factors. The fluid that should have come out accumulates inside, stretching the connective tissue, and a cyst forms.

The development process is similar to multifollicular ovarian syndrome. This happens when there is simply no mature leading follicle - several eggs begin to mature at the same time, but none are released. This happens with a lack of estrogen and progesterone. In place of the follicles that have begun to develop, small cysts form.

Cystic formations are also characteristic of the corpus luteum in pathologies. The egg leaves the follicle, but the corpus luteum, having fulfilled its functions, does not dissolve, but swells and stretches to a cystic formation.

If the corpus luteum persists, pregnancy will also not occur - this is a condition in which the corpus luteum releases progesterone for too long without atrophying. This is also dangerous for a woman’s health in general, since excess progesterone provokes:

• decreased uterine tone;
• rejection of mucous membranes;
• prolonged, heavy bleeding.

The follicle may not mature at all in the egg. This happens with a lack of follicle-stimulating hormone or with hyperandrogenism. A woman is diagnosed with “dormant” ovaries, but this does not mean that attempts to conceive should be abandoned. The condition is corrected by hormonal therapy, the maturation of the dominant follicle is stimulated with the release of the germ cell.

Why doesn't she ripen?

There are several reasons why the egg does not mature. They are conventionally divided into internal factors - causes directly in the woman’s body, as well as external factors - the influence of lifestyle and the environment.

Internal reasons:

• inflammation in the pelvic organs;
• deficiency of progesterone and estrogen;
• inflammation of the membranes of the brain;
• dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary system;
• infections of the abdominal cavity or genitals.

Sometimes the reason is hormonal imbalance. But the disruption of hormone production itself can be provoked by external factors:

• depression;
• severe stress;
• strict diet;
• clinical obesity;
• sudden climate change;
• frequent change of sexual partners.

Dysfunction is also observed in women with bad habits; they are more susceptible to early menopause.

Natural physiological causes

Any acute disease in the body will lead to the fact that the level of hormones will be reduced and the egg will not mature. This is how nature protects the human species from extinction, because if conceived in the acute phase of illness, a child may be born with defects.

Cycles in which the egg does not mature also occur in young, healthy women. This happens 2-3 times a year. The cell begins to prepare for release, the follicle also grows under the influence of estrogen and FSH, but LH is not released and the vesicle does not burst. The rupture occurs later, when the egg is no longer capable of fertilization, and menstrual flow begins almost immediately.

This is not a pathological process and it occurs even in healthy women. But if the frequency of anovulatory cycles increases, you need to undergo examination.

Hormonal reasons

For the maturation of the egg and its full release, the following hormones are needed:

• estrogen;
• progesterone;
• follicle-stimulating hormone;
• luteinizing.

If any hormone is insufficient or in excess, the follicle will not mature, will not rupture, or the growth of mucous membranes in the uterus will be stimulated so actively that bleeding will begin before the reproductive cell has time to pass the fallopian tubes.

Stress

Prolonged experiences, depression, lack of sleep and severe stress not only lead to the fact that the egg does not mature, but also provoke a complete absence of ovulation until the condition returns to normal. During such periods, the level of estrogen and FSH decreases, and natural mechanisms to prevent pregnancy are triggered.

Nature “does not allow” to conceive a child if the environment around a woman is so tense and depressing. The balance of hormones is restored when the psycho-emotional state also returns to normal, since the hormonal background is a complex. Here, LH, FSH, and estrogen depend on serotonin, endorphin and other mediators.

Diseases of the pelvic organs

Non-ripening of the egg can also be caused by the following pathologies:

• infections of female genital organs;
• adhesions, chronic foci of inflammation;
• inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

With intestinal inflammation or hemorrhoids, rectal body temperature increases significantly. This affects the condition of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, the follicle will not mature and release the egg.

Infections, if left untreated, become progressive. From the mucous membranes they penetrate the uterus, tubes and ovaries, provoking an extensive inflammatory process. Sensitive membranes react by forming adhesions and moving into the chronic phase.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Since there are many reasons for an unripe egg, the symptomatic complex is also extensive. What can the condition be associated with:

• fluctuations in body weight for no apparent reason;
• mood changes, apathy, tearfulness, irritability;
• swelling of the limbs;
• increased appetite;
• poor sleep;
• pain in the pelvic area;
• atypical discharge, an increase in its volume;
• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

For diagnosis, the gynecologist will prescribe:

• general clinical analysis of blood and urine;
• study of FSH and LH levels;
• determination of estrogen and progesterone;
• determination of androgen levels;
• bacterial culture from the vagina;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs.

If inflammation or neoplasms are suspected, the doctor will prescribe a vaginal ultrasound. The remaining studies are prescribed to clarify the diagnosis.

Treatment

To treat dormant ovaries, a course of the FSH hormone or complexes is prescribed that will stimulate the functioning of the reproductive system. Cystic formations are treated depending on the stage and extent. Complexes of progesterone with estrogen and anti-inflammatory drugs in tablets and suppositories are prescribed:

• Duphaston;
• Anteovin;
• Janine;
• Ibuprofen;
• Paracetamol;
• Logesta et al.

Only a gynecologist is involved in the selection, since such medications without the supervision of a doctor can seriously harm hormonal levels.

If the disease is infectious, antiseptic and antibacterial drugs and anti-fungal drugs are first prescribed:

• Terzhinan;
• Polygynax;
• Hexicon;
• Betadine;
• Ketoconazole and others.

Any method of treatment is selected by a doctor only after complete laboratory and hardware diagnostics and clarification of the diagnosis. The examination is repeated approximately once a cycle to track the dynamics.

The reasons why the egg does not mature are identified by the gynecologist during examination and during diagnosis. Most of them can be treated, after which ovulation is restored, and attempts to conceive end in a successful pregnancy.

Source: https://MyZachatie.ru/zhenskie-zabolevaniya/pochemu-yajtsekletka-ne-sozrevaet.html

Can an immature egg be fertilized?

The likelihood of pregnancy in the presence of an immature egg is minimal, but still exists. It is worth noting that fertilization of an immature egg leads to miscarriages, fetal death at different stages of gestation, or premature birth. In addition, pregnancy resulting from fertilization of an immature egg leads to the birth of a child with chromosomal abnormalities.

Due to such risks, women with this pathology are recommended to turn to assisted reproductive technologies. Currently, the method of in vitro fertilization with mother's cells is widely used. If, during puncture, no mature eggs are found in a woman after stimulation, she should resort to IVF with donor cells. When using artificial insemination methods, the likelihood of achieving the desired pregnancy increases significantly. This is due to the fact that in the process of preparing for the IVF protocol, at one of the stages the woman undergoes ovulation stimulation. Stimulation provides the opportunity to obtain up to 10 eggs. This procedure involves the administration of medications that promote the maturation of follicles with eggs. The final injection that allows the oocyte to mature is an injection of hCG. In addition, after follicle puncture, the resulting eggs undergo careful selection, which ensures fertilization of a healthy mature cell.

If this method is not successful, you should resort to the in vitro fertilization protocol with a donor egg.

The egg does not leave the ovary. What are the causes, symptoms and treatment

Why the egg does not leave the ovary depends on several factors. The reproductive cell may simply be absent, or it may not be able to make its way to freedom. In any case, anovulation must be treated, otherwise it can lead to infertility and disease of various organs.

Causes of egg failure from the ovary

Under normal conditions, in the middle of the menstrual cycle, the egg matures in the follicle, leaves the ovary and waits for fertilization. This phenomenon is called ovulation. If fertilization of the released germ cell does not occur, then menstruation begins. But the egg may not leave the ovary on time. This process is called anovulation.

The causes of anovulation can be the following processes:

1. The growth and maturation of the follicle and the egg in it are disrupted, so the female gamete is simply absent.
2. The formed germ cell could not be released due to the dense lining of the ovary.

Without the released gamete, fertilization and pregnancy are impossible. Therefore, anovulation is one of the main causes of infertility. It can be temporary (physiological) and chronic (pathological). The periodic absence of ovulation is natural and may be due to physiological reasons:

• puberty: after the first menstruation, girls may not ovulate for up to several years;
• pregnancy period;
• postpartum and lactation period;
• changes associated with menopause;
• the body's rest period is normally no more than 2 times a year.

The chronic absence of an egg ready for fertilization can be caused by a pathology in the structure of the internal genital organs or a malfunction of the endocrine glands. Most often, pathological anovulation becomes the cause of infertility. It can be triggered by the following factors:

• stressful situations;
• excessive physical activity;
• injuries, infections and inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system;
• gynecological diseases;
• impaired blood flow in the brain;
• disruptions in the functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland reduce hormonal stimulation of the ovary;
• overweight or underweight;
• early menopause;
• thyroid diseases;
• liver diseases;
• uncontrolled use of medications;
• the use of hormonal contraceptives that suppress ovulation;
• age: after 30 years, the number of ovulations begins to decrease;
• genetic abnormalities;
• ovarian depletion;
• excess male hormones.

Hormones control the growth and maturation of gametes. If there is a hormonal imbalance in the body, the eggs do not mature. Due to gynecological diseases, for example, polycystic ovary syndrome, the female reproductive cell matures on time, but cannot leave the unruptured follicle. In order to identify infertility and seek medical help in time, you need to be able to determine your ovulation.

Signs of anovulation

The normal menstrual cycle in healthy women is 25-30 days. The egg is released from the ovary in the middle of the cycle, somewhere on days 9-14, if you count from the first day of your period. The onset of ovulation is indicated by the following indicators:

• discharge from the genital tract becomes more abundant, mucous and transparent;
• Rectal body temperature increases;
• pain may be observed in the area of ​​the ovulating ovary;
• increased content of sex hormones in the urine.

To record the moment the egg is released, you can use a rapid urine test to determine ovulation.

Important! If a malfunction occurs in the female body and the egg for some reason does not come out of the follicle, then this can be determined by the following characteristic features:

• absence of menstruation;
• changes in the composition and volume of menstruation, a shift in the interval between them;
• throughout the entire month, discharge from the genital tract has an opaque milky structure, there is no colorless mucus in it;
• there is no increase in rectal temperature in the middle of the cycle;
• a urine test for hormones shows a negative result;
• the appearance, condition of the skin and hair have deteriorated.

The more strongly the reproductive function is impaired, the more clearly and for a long time external signs will indicate this. To cure such infertility and have the desired offspring, you need to consult a doctor. In addition, chronic anovulation can negatively affect the condition of the entire body and lead to diseases of the mammary glands, cardiovascular system and cause endometrial hyperplasia.

Medical diagnosis and treatment

The examination of the patient begins with the collection of data about the problem, the composition, quality and cyclicity of menstruation is determined. If the menstrual cycle is irregular, then this indicates anovulation and is the basis for further research. To identify the reasons for the failure of the egg to leave the ovary, an examination by a gynecologist, endocrinologist and instrumental examination may be prescribed:

• biochemical blood test and blood test for hormones;
• ultrasound examination of the internal reproductive organs, mammary glands and thyroid gland;
• radiography and tomography of the brain.

The results of the study will allow us to establish the cause of egg failure and make a correct diagnosis. Only by knowing the cause of the disease can the correct treatment be prescribed. In healthy women, lack of ovulation can be caused by stress and poor diet. In such a case, treatment consists of rest, healthy eating and taking vitamins. To normalize body weight, diet therapy or active sports are prescribed. If a hormonal imbalance is detected in the body, hormonal medications will be prescribed.

Please note: If infectious diseases of the pelvic organs and obstruction of the fallopian tubes are not detected, ovulation stimulation is prescribed to treat infertility. Stimulating egg production does not affect the size of a woman's follicle supply. If anatomical defects of the internal reproductive organs and tumors are detected, surgical intervention is prescribed to eliminate them.

Qualified medical care and correct diagnosis are very important in the treatment of infertility. You should not self-medicate or use various medications uncontrollably. Incorrect treatment can only make the situation worse.

We recommend you learn: How polyps develop in the ovaries

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