Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) And The Impact On Egg Quality and IVF Outcomes

Ever find yourself feeling irritable, shaky, or ravenous between meals? That “hangry” feeling could be more than just an annoyance—it might signal low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, a condition where blood sugar levels drop below what your body needs for energy. This imbalance can also impact your fertility.

Why Does Low Blood Sugar Matter?

Your body is incredibly smart, it prioritizes survival over reproduction. When blood sugar drops, your body releases cortisol (a stress hormone) to restore sugar levels in the bloodstream. While this response is helpful in the short term, prolonged elevated cortisol can interfere with hormonal balance, impacting key reproductive functions like ovulation.

Here’s how it might show up:

• Mood swings or irritability (hello, “hangry!”)
• Dizziness
• Fatigue or brain fog
• Hormonal imbalances that affect ovulation and egg quality

Your body prioritizes survival over reproduction. Pushing the body before it is ready with IVF may result in cancelled cycles, poor embryo quality and pregnancy loss.  

Constant blood sugar dips signal stress, potentially slowing or pausing ovulation, which can make conception harder. Over time, unstable blood sugar levels may also contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which can affect egg quality and overall fertility health.

Simple Steps to Stay Balanced

1. Eat balanced meals: Pair protein, healthy fats, and fiber at every meal to keep blood sugar stable.
2. Snack smart: Keep a handful of nuts, some fruit with almond butter, or a boiled egg on hand for an easy pick-me-up.
3. Limit sugary treats: These can cause a quick spike and crash in blood sugar.
4. Consider a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) device like Theia: It's a great tool to track blood sugar trends and keep levels stable. We recommend this to anyone on the fertility journey (it helps to customize diet/lifestyle) so you can fast track pregnancy success.

Balancing blood sugar isn’t about perfection—it’s about finding what works for you. Addressing low blood sugar can be a game-changer, not just for your mood but for your fertility journey.

For more insights, explore our blog posts and podcasts below:

• Why it Matters if You have Hypoglycemia When You are TTC
• The link between blood sugar balance and low AMH and High FSH
• Why A CGM Could Help With Embryo Implantation

Let’s connect and talk about how the Fab Fertile Program could help you and your partner achieve pregnancy success! Book your free 15 minute call here.