Egg Quantity:
Also called egg count, it is the number of eggs in the ovaries, which serves as a woman’s lifetime supply.
Egg quantity decreases at various rates throughout a woman’s life stages. During fetal development, the ovaries contain up to six million eggs. With time, the ovarian reserve moves towards total depletion at menopause.

Egg Quality:

The term egg quality refers to the chromosomal makeup of the eggs, which determines whether they can lead to a healthy pregnancy.
Ovarian eggs age similarly to other cells in the body. Over time, there are natural changes in the DNA composition of the eggs due to illnesses, fever, toxin exposure, etc. An abnormal egg released on ovulation might fail to be fertilized or implanted in the uterine wall. It can also lead to pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage or birth defects.

Low Ovarian Reserve:

A low ovarian reserve occurs when there are not enough good-quality eggs in the ovaries to achieve pregnancy.
This decline in the quality and quantity of ovarian eggs is a natural process occurring at various rates from woman to woman. Generally, after the age of 35 or 10-15 years before menopause, fertility starts to decline faster.

Egg Freezing:

There are two ways in which a woman’s eggs can be frozen. The most common one, called embryo cryopreservation, consists of extracting the eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them through IVF, and then freezing them. When a woman is ready for pregnancy, the fertilized eggs are placed in the uterus for implantation through IVF.
The second egg-freezing technique is called oocyte cryopreservation. It involves the same steps with the exception that the eggs are stored unfertilized. With this method, before the eggs are placed in the uterus, they have to be fertilized in the lab.

Gonadal Shielding:

It is designated for women undergoing radiation treatment. Because the rays can cause damage to the reproductive organs, the pelvic area is protected with a lead shield. The specific shielding technique used by fertility specialists is an important factor in determining the effectiveness of this fertility preservation method.

Ovarian Transposition
It consists of surgically moving the ovaries and the fallopian tubes away from the area where the radiation will be directed. This option is often used for young cancer patients to preserve their fertility.
Some women decide to undergo fertility preservation because they do not feel ready for pregnancy due to various life situations, like careers, relationships, or finances, while others might be going through cancer treatment known to have detrimental effects on female fertility.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive and carry on pregnancy. It is diagnosed when a woman has failed to get pregnant after 12 consecutive months of trying (or six months if older than 35).
Sterility, on the other hand, is diagnosed when conception does not occur because of lack of ovulation or sperm production due to genetics, disease, or injury.

Female Infertility :

Female infertility is mainly caused by ovulation problems, which are rooted in hormonal imbalances manifested in various conditions, like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Fertility issues can also be due to fallopian tube blockage from endometriosis or an ectopic pregnancy. Factors such as advanced age or abnormal BMI can increase the risk of fertility problems.

Male Infertility:

Issues with male fertility mainly concern sperm, including its production, delivery, or function. Most male infertility problems are caused by medical conditions or damage to the reproductive organs from radiation or injury. Obesity, alcohol use, or toxins can put men at higher risk of abnormalities.

Infertility Treatment:

The choice of infertility treatment for women depends on the underlying cause, and it is designed to restore fertility.
• Fertility pills and injections are the main treatments for ovulation induction.
• Fertility surgery is aimed at restoring fertility by resolving structural abnormalities, like scarring or polyps.
Various natural ways, including diet, exercise, and alternative medicine, can also be effective in boosting fertility. They are discussed in the section below.

Alternative Therapies
Promoting stress-free living can have positive effects on boosting fertility as prolonged stress can cause hormonal disruption and reduce a woman’s state of being fertile.
• Acupuncture can improve ovulation, increase blood flow to the uterus, and relieve the negative effects of cortisol levels on the female reproductive system, thus restoring fertility.
• Mind-body techniques, such as meditation, mindfulness, and deep breathing exercises, have been shown effective for stress-reduction and restoring regular ovulation.

Without a doubt, nutrition plays an essential role in women’s fertility. Studies have shown that aspiring mothers who followed a fertility diet were less likely to experience ovulatory infertility and much more likely to successfully conceive. A good diet to get pregnant should contain balanced proportions of three macronutrients, complex carbohydrates (whole grains, fruits, and vegetables), lean protein (preferably plant-based, like beans or nuts), and healthy fats (especially mono- and polyunsaturated). Incorporating fertility-boosting foods into a diet can help women obtain key nutrients they need to get pregnant, achieve an optimal weight conducive to conception, and develop healthy eating habits that can benefit not only their fertility, but also their pregnancies and babies.