Poor Egg Quality: Causes, How It Affects Fertility, and Best Treatments

Hearing your doctor say, “Unfortunately, you have poor egg quality” can be scary, especially if you've been trying to conceive for a long time. However, when you understand what low-quality eggs mean, it becomes less terrifying, and you can choose the right treatment more easily.

Poor egg quality is a non-medical term used to describe eggs that are less likely to become a healthy fetus. In most cases, it refers to eggs with chromosomal abnormalities or mitochondrial dysfunction. It means they don’t have enough energy to mature and develop into a healthy embryo.

As a result, low egg quality can reduce the chance of successful fertilization, increase the risk of miscarriage, or prevent the development of the embryo. Fortunately, low egg quality doesn't mean you are infertile. In many cases, some small changes in daily habits and taking simple hormonal medicines can make a big difference.

In this article, you will read about:

• The main causes of poor egg quality,
• Different tests (such as AMH and FSH) to identify egg-related problems,
• The best medical treatments in 2026, and
• The most effective diets for having healthy eggs.

If you need a specialist’s opinion about your fertility condition and your test results, contact the Raadina Health team. They help you find the best treatment plans and the right fertility centers based on your condition.

What Does Poor Egg Quality Mean?

Each month, multiple follicles (small sacs containing an egg and fluid) develop in the ovaries; however, only one of them matures and releases a healthy egg. If an egg doesn't develop as it should, it becomes weak and cannot be fertilized with sperm. This is what doctors call poor egg quality. Such eggs have other characteristics too, such as:

• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Low ability to develop into a healthy embryo
• A lower chance of implantation
• Problem with cellular division (embryo stops developing)

Poor Egg Quality vs. Diminished Ovarian Reserve

Poor egg quality is not the same as low ovarian reserve. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), a woman may have a normal ovarian reserve, but her eggs are low quality. On the other hand, a woman with a low ovarian reserve may have healthy eggs and have a successful, comfortable pregnancy.

That’s why fertility specialists use more than just an AMH blood test to assess egg quality. They consider other factors too, including:

• The mother’s age,
• Ultrasound results,
• Pregnancy and miscarriage history,
• Hormone levels, and
• Other fertility test results.

Poor Egg Quality vs. PCOS

Poor egg quality and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are also two different conditions. Women with PCOS have problems with ovulation. It means their ovaries don’t release a mature egg each month. In contrast, women with low egg quality ovulate normally, but the egg itself is weak and cannot develop into a healthy embryo. Unfortunately, some women experience both PCOS and poor egg quality, which can make conception even harder.

Low Egg Quality vs. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) means either the ovarian reserve is low, the ovaries stopped working early, or they don’t respond to hormonal treatments. In this situation, the number of remaining egg follicles is lower than expected, and conception is challenging. The doctors usually order the following tests to detect POI:

• AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)
• AFC (Antral Follicle Count)
• FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)

According to the ASRM, POI and poor egg quality are not the same thing. A woman may have a normal ovarian reserve but still produce low-quality eggs with abnormal cell structures, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chromosomal instability (CIN). In contrast, someone with a diminished ovarian reserve may have high-quality eggs and a normal pregnancy.

What Causes Poor Egg Quality?

Many people assume that age is the only factor that reduces female egg quality, but that's not true. While age is important, other factors can also affect egg quality, such as:

• Age over 35
• Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR)
• Smoking or using tobacco products
• Alcohol and drug addiction
• Abnormal BMI
• Chronic stress
• Certain genetic conditions
• Endometriosis
• Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Long-term exposure to toxins and harmful chemicals

A Patient's Experience

Maryam, 37, had been trying to get pregnant for more than a year. At first, she believed that her low AMH level was the only reason she wasn't conceiving. After consulting a fertility specialist, she figured out that she also had poor egg quality.

Her doctor suggested that she take the necessary supplements and lose weight, and asked her husband to quit smoking. About eight months later, she became pregnant during her second treatment cycle.

Scientific Methods to Improve Egg Quality

Although fertility treatments have come a long way, there is still no scientific method to improve egg quality with a 100% guarantee. However, there are a few things you can do to help your eggs mature. According to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), each woman must follow a certain treatment plan based on her age, ovarian reserve, the cause of infertility, and her overall health. Here are the most recommended medical methods to improve egg quality:

Treating Underlying Conditions

Sometimes the problem is not the egg itself but an underlying medical condition, such as:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Thyroid disorders
• Diabetes
• Hyperprolactinemia
• Autoimmune diseases

Treating these conditions is the first step you should take to improve egg quality and ovarian function.

Taking Supplements

Fertility specialists usually order prenatal supplements to help egg follicles mature. Here are the most effective ones:

• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
• DHEA
• Vitamin D
• Folic acid
• Inositol

Although these tablets and capsules are beneficial, the ASRM has reported that no supplement can replace standard fertility treatments. Also, they should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional, because not every supplement is suitable for every patient.

Ovulation Induction Medications

For some women, doctors prescribe either letrozole, clomiphene citrate, or gonadotropins. These medications do not directly improve egg quality, but they help ovaries produce healthy follicles and release mature eggs. Note that only your fertility specialist should decide if you need these medications or not. So, don’t take them without permission.

Home Remedies to Treat Poor Egg Quality

As mentioned earlier, changing lifestyle and some home remedies can improve ovarian function. However, they are not science-based, and there is no guarantee that they work. The following tips can help you along the way:

• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, lean protein, and antioxidant-rich foods
• Keep your weight at a healthy range (18.5 to 24.9)
• Do moderate exercises such as walking, swimming, or yoga
• Get enough sleep and avoid stress
• Avoid smoking and alcohol
• Use herbal medicines such as fennel, black seed with honey, ginger, and cinnamon

Note: Some herbal products interact with fertility medications or may not be safe during treatment, so consult your doctor before using them.

Can You Get Pregnant with Poor Egg Quality?

It’s true that low egg quality can make it harder to get pregnant naturally and may cause complications, but it doesn’t mean that you cannot get pregnant at all. Many women with poor egg quality have successful pregnancies, especially when they receive the right fertility treatment.

It's also important to remember that your egg quality is only one part of the picture. Other factors, such as your age, uterine health, hormone balance, and overall lifestyle, also play an important role. Moreover, your partner's sperm quality (count, motility, and morphology) is important.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the quality of eggs in women over the age of 35 is significantly lower than in women below 35. In other words, as egg quality gets worse, the chance of becoming pregnant with each cycle becomes lower.

Does Poor Egg Quality Cause Miscarriage?

Yes, poor egg quality can increase the risk of miscarriage, but it is definitely not the only reason. In fact, many women with low-quality eggs have successful pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies.

An egg with chromosomal abnormalities or damaged cells is less likely to develop into a healthy embryo. In some cases, the embryo stops developing during the first few weeks of pregnancy, which can lead to a miscarriage.

Can Poor Egg Quality Cause a Blighted Ovum?

Poor egg quality may cause a blighted ovum (also called an anembryonic pregnancy), but it’s usually one of several possible causes. Many women with low-quality eggs never experience a blighted ovum and its complications. Other factors that may increase the risk of anembryonic pregnancy are:

• Low sperm quality
• Cell division errors
• Certain genetic disorders
• High maternal age
• Other factors that are still unknown to modern medicine

If you've experienced a blighted ovum, this does not mean your future pregnancies will have the same result. In most cases, women receive treatment and have healthy pregnancies after D&C.

Can Poor Egg Quality Stop an Embryo from Developing?

Unfortunately, yes. If a damaged egg turns into an embryo, it’s less likely to develop into a healthy fetus. The embryo begins to develop right after fertilization, and the egg provides the energy needed for the first cell divisions. The egg also carries half of the embryo's genetic information. Therefore, a low-quality egg can negatively affect the baby during the first weeks of pregnancy.

Note that egg quality is only important during the first stages of pregnancy, not throughout the 38-39 weeks. As soon as a healthy embryo with the correct number of chromosomes has formed, other factors such as uterine blood flow, the mother's overall health, nutrition, placental function, underlying medical conditions, and prenatal care become important.

Fertility Treatments for Women with Poor Egg Quality

Thanks to modern assisted reproductive technologies (ART), many couples dealing with infertility can now have healthy children. Choosing the most suitable treatment is a bit hard because it depends on several factors, including the mother’s age, ovarian reserve, sperm quality, and the underlying cause of infertility. The most popular treatments for poor egg quality are:

• Standard IVF
• Egg freezing
• Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to identify embryos with abnormal chromosomes
• IVF with egg donation

All of these treatments have high success rates if they are used for the right patient. Note that a treatment that works well for one patient may not be a good choice for another.

Find the Best Fertility Treatment for You

Choosing the right fertility treatment, specialist, and hospital might be frustrating because there are numerous options available. Therefore, consulting with a specialist can save thousands of dollars and lots of time. If you're currently dealing with poor egg quality, the Raadina Health team can help you select the most appropriate treatment.

At Raadina Health, our fertility specialists and advisors review your medical history and previous test results for free. Then, they order additional tests and ultrasound examinations, and arrange specialist appointments if needed. After evaluating your health condition, we suggest the most effective treatment plan as well as the best fertility specialist.

Final Words

A low-quality egg has either damaged cells, chromosomal abnormalities, or mitochondrial dysfunction. Although poor egg quality makes it harder to conceive naturally, many women still become pregnant and give birth to a healthy child. Depending on the underlying issue, there are several treatment methods available now, including:

• Changing lifestyle, like getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, keeping the weight at the normal range, and avoiding smoking
• Hormonal medications and supplements
• Treating other health conditions (like PCOS and thyroid disorders)
• Assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF in Iran, egg freezing, egg donation, and other fertility treatments.

Get a free consultation, precise treatment planning, dedicated support, and a personalized medical travel roadmap. Contact the experts at Iran health agency today.

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FAQs

Can you get pregnant with low sperm count and poor egg quality?

Yes, but it’s less likely to get pregnant naturally when both partners have fertility issues. In such situations, doctors usually recommend ARTs such as IVF and PGT to increase the chance of pregnancy to 90%.

My periods are regular; is it possible that I have weak eggs?

Yes. Having regular menstrual cycles does not necessarily mean your eggs are healthy. A woman can ovulate regularly but still have poor egg quality, especially if she is above 35.

Does poor egg quality cause infertility?

Not necessarily. Poor egg quality reduces the chance of natural conception, but it doesn't mean pregnancy is impossible. In fact, many women with poor egg quality conceive naturally (or with the help of a fertility treatment) and have healthy pregnancies.