AN EGG'S LIFE
Posted on Jun 1, 2017 8:45pm PDT
by Meredith Nathan, LMT
Let's face it - fertility can be frustrating. Depending on whether
you've just started to dip your toe in the waters of fertility treatments
or you've already dove head first into the deep end, women and couples
can put a lot of time, energy, and resources into their cycles, hoping
for success. But what happens when that cycle is a bust? Doesn't it
feel like all those efforts were for nought?
Actually, the opposite is true. Though a single egg will release through
ovulation every month, the actual lifespan of that egg is approximately
90 days. That means that everything you just did to boost your fertility
and nurture your cycle will actually positively impact the follicles/ovums
that are 'on the docket' for the next 2-3 cycles. Likewise the
lifespan of sperm is about 60-70 days, and the same principle applies.
Every supplement you took, acupuncture session you went to, or down-dog
you did not only boosts your fertility for your current cycle, but for
the ones that are next in line.
This also means that intense nutritional detoxes should be avoided within
90 days of trying to conceive for a women, or within 70 days for a man.
Though detox can be powerful for helping the body achieve a fertile state,
overly-aggressive methods can cause toxins to leech into your body, affecting
egg/sperm quality. During this window try gentle lymphatic massage instead
to support the body's natural cleansing, or see a nutritionist to
learn what foods can help your body achieve balance without nasty side effects.
Also, this 2-3 month window means that a couple looking for extra credit
(assuming their doctor is in agreement!) can actually do a 90 day prep
before officially trying to conceive. Acupuncture, massage, healthy eating,
supplements, herbs, and core blood-building exercises like yoga are all
powerful tools that can boost egg quality in the current month as well
as the months to come. Over time, you can layer healthy month after healthy
month, helping your body to reach it's most vibrant, balanced, and
fertile state!