Author | Lightnews

Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

Final thought: Fertility is probabilistic, not deterministic.

These interventions can improve your odds, but they don't guarantee outcomes. The goal is to maximize your chances with the reproductive potential you currently have.

That's the honest truth about "reversing" ovarian aging.

Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

The 90-day window before conception or egg retrieval matters. Whether you're trying naturally or with ART, giving your eggs (and sperm!) the best environment possible is a smart investment.

Just keep expectations realistic about what's actually happening biologically.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

My advice? Be skeptical of anyone promising to "reverse" your reproductive age.

Instead, focus on evidence-based approaches to optimize what you have. Work with a reproductive endocrinologist who stays current on the research.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

Here's what most "egg quality gurus" won't tell you:

The evidence for LIVE BIRTH improvements is mixed. We have good data for better egg numbers and embryo quality, but the ultimate outcome varies by individual.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

Beyond supplements, don't overlook:

- Sleep quality (7.5-8.5 hours)
- Consistent sleep/wake times
- Reducing environmental toxins
- Stress management

These factors influence egg quality too!

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

Personalization matters. If you have PCOS, add myo-inositol (2g twice daily).

If you have specific types of diminished ovarian reserve, DHEA might help (25mg three times daily) - but ONLY after proper evaluation by a specialist.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

For men (yes, they matter too!):

- CoQ10 (200-300mg daily)
- Heat avoidance (no hot tubs/laptops on laps)
- Similar dietary changes

Remember: sperm quality can change in 90 days too. This is a partner project!

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

The optimal protocol isn't just popping random supplements. It's a comprehensive 12-week approach:

For women:
- CoQ10 (600mg daily)
- Melatonin (3-5mg at night)
- Vitamin D optimization
- Mediterranean diet

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

Why does CoQ10 work? It's a powerful antioxidant that supports mitochondrial function.

Your eggs have more mitochondria than any other cell in your body. They need ENERGY to divide properly, and that's exactly what healthy mitochondria provide.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

The science is strongest for CoQ10 supplementation. In women with diminished ovarian reserve, 8-12 weeks of CoQ10 led to:

- Fewer canceled embryo transfers (22.9% → 8.3%)
- More available embryos for freezing (4.3% → 18.4%)

That's significant!

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

BUT (and this is a big but) you CAN potentially improve the microenvironment where your eggs develop over 1-2 follicular waves (6-12 weeks).

Think of it as creating optimal conditions for the eggs you still have, not making new ones.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

First, let's get real about "ovarian aging."

It's not just about running out of eggs. It's about:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
- Oxidative stress
- Disrupted cellular signaling

And no, you can't literally "reverse" decades of this process in 3 months.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 19h

Is your FSH rising? Let's talk about what ACTUALLY happens when people claim to "reverse ovarian aging" in 12 weeks.

Spoiler: It's not reversal, but there ARE evidence-based ways to improve egg quality. Here's what the science really says...

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 3d

Questions for your doctor:

- Have you checked my prolactin levels?

- Could stress be affecting my fertility?

- Is my body weight supporting optimal hormone function?

- How might my sleep patterns be impacting conception?

Don't accept "unexplained infertility" without exploring these.

Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 3d

The takeaway: Your hypothalamus is the gatekeeper of fertility.

Before expensive interventions, optimize these four pillars:

- Stress management

- Energy balance

- Prolactin levels

- Sleep/circadian rhythm

Your brain decides if conditions are right for reproduction.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 3d

I'm not saying to avoid fertility treatments. They're miraculous when needed.

But before spending $20K+ on IVF, shouldn't we ensure your brain's fertility circuit is actually switched ON?

Most doctors never check.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 3d

The most frustrating part? Many fertility struggles aren't about your ovaries or testes at all.

They're about your brain perceiving danger - whether from stress, starvation, or sleep deprivation - and hitting the emergency brake on reproduction.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 3d

Why 90 days?

That's roughly how long it takes for:

- A full ovarian cycle in women

- Complete sperm development in men

- Hormonal systems to recalibrate

Your reproductive system isn't broken - it's responding exactly as designed to perceived threats.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 3d

The 90-day fertility reset protocol:

1. Screen for high prolactin (treat if needed)

2. Restore energy balance (>30 kcal/kg FFM/day)

3. Lock in 7.5-9 hours sleep with consistent timing

4. Deploy structured stress management

5. Consider targeted meds for specific conditions

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 3d

Did you know your sleep schedule might be more important than those expensive supplements?

Optimizing sleep is associated with 18% higher conception rates.

Yet how many fertility doctors ask about your sleep patterns vs pushing you toward IVF?

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 3d

For women with hypothalamic amenorrhea (where stress shuts down ovulation), cognitive behavioral therapy reduced cortisol and restored normal hormonal function.

The body responds QUICKLY when you remove the brakes from your reproductive system.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 3d

The research is compelling:

In women with PCOS (where GnRH pulses are too frequent), NK3R antagonists reduced testosterone by 0.80 nmol/L and LH by 10.17 IU/L in just 12 weeks.

Translation: We can now directly control the brain's fertility switch with medication.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 3d

So what derails this delicate system?

Four major saboteurs:

1. Chronic stress (cortisol/CRH)

2. Energy deficiency (low leptin)

3. High prolactin levels

4. Circadian disruption (poor sleep/shift work)

Fix these, and you can restore fertility within WEEKS.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 3d

Let's get nerdy for a second.

A tiny network called KNDy in your hypothalamus controls GnRH pulses, which regulate LH/FSH, which determine:

- Ovulation in women

- Sperm production in men

- Hormone balance in both

This is your reproductive command center.

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Code to Conception @codetoconception.bsky.social · 3d

The hidden fertility switch in your brain that no one's talking about...

Your hypothalamus contains a "pulse generator" that controls your entire reproductive system. When it malfunctions, fertility tanks.

But here's the kicker: You can hack this circuit.

A thread on the science:

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