Show notes
Your eggs begin developing months before ovulation. So what can you actually do during that window to improve your egg quality?
In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Natalie Crawford explains the 60-to-90-day process of egg development and why age is only one part of the egg-quality conversation. She explores how nutrition, inflammation, mitochondrial health, blood sugar, sleep, stress, exercise, supplements, and environmental exposures may shape the ovarian environment during this critical window.
You cannot reverse age-related changes, but understanding how an egg develops can help you focus on the factors that may be within your control. Whether you are trying to conceive, preparing for IVF, freezing your eggs, or thinking about your future fertility, this episode offers a science-backed place to start.
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Can You Improve Egg Quality Naturally in 90 Days?
01:45 How Many Eggs Are Women Born With?
02:23 Is Egg Quality Determined by Age?
03:32 Egg Quality vs. Egg Quantity: What Is the Difference?
03:13 How Long Does an Egg Take to Develop Before Ovulation?
04:50 When Should You Start Preparing for IVF or Egg Freezing?
05:30 What Causes Chromosomal Abnormalities in Eggs?
06:55 How Does Mitochondrial Health Affect Egg Quality?
08:04 How Are Estrogen and Progesterone Connected to Egg Health?
08:47 What Can Follicular Fluid Reveal About Egg Quality?
10:36 What Foods Help Support Egg Quality?
11:15 Do Healthy Fats Support Fertility and Hormone Health?
12:02 Which Protein Sources Are Best for Fertility?
12:47 Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids Support Egg Quality?
13:33 How Does Oxidative Stress Affect Egg Quality?
13:55 Should You Take CoQ10 for Egg Quality?
14:42 Does Vitamin D Affect Egg Quality and Implantation?
15:21 Can Melatonin Support Egg Quality?
16:22 How Do Blood Sugar and Insulin Affect Egg Quality?
17:41 How Can You Improve Insulin Sensitivity?
18:30 Can Strength Training Support Egg Quality?
19:00 Can Inositol, Metformin, or GLP-1 Medications Support Egg Quality?
19:40 How Do Sleep and Stress Affect Egg Quality?
21:02 Do Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Affect Egg Quality?
21:44 How Can You Reduce Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure?
23:02 What Should You Do 90 Days Before Conception, IVF, or Egg Freezing?
AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk
HOST RESOURCES:
Order The Fertility Formula: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book
Newsletter: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieCrawfordMD
Become a patient: https://www.forafertility.com
Earn FREE CE/CME: https://learnatpinnacle.com/education
This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.
ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD:
Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies.
Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care.
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