11 Best Fertility Supplements, According to a Dietitian
Anyone who has had trouble getting pregnant knows that infertility can be hard and that there are many, sometimes overwhelming, ways to treat it.
But your diet is one thing that may help you get pregnant, and it’s easy and doesn’t hurt you.
In fact, it has been shown that many of the micronutrients you get from food or supplements are very important to your fertility.
This article will look at the link between nutrition and fertility and suggest 11 supplements that might help.
A quick look at the best fertility vitamins and supplements
- Best overall fertility supplement for women: EU Natural CONCEPTION Female Fertility Prenatal
- Best overall fertility supplement for men: FullWell Vitality + Virility
- Best vegan fertility supplement: Natalist Prenatal Daily Packs
- Best CoQ10 supplement for fertility: Garden of Life Raw CoQ10
- Best fertility supplement subscription: Ritual Prenatal
- Best easy-to-swallow fertility supplement for men: Nature’s Craft Fertility Booster
- Best fertility supplement for sensitive stomachs: Premama Prenatal Vitamin
- Best budget-friendly fertility supplement: Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA
- Best gummy fertility supplement: Smarty Pants Prenatal Formula
- Best vitamin D supplement for fertility: Needed Prenatal Vitamin D
- Best omega-3 supplement for fertility: Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA
Role of micronutrients in fertility
You might think that experts know everything there is to know about the role of vitamins in fertility by now. But that’s not exactly true.
The science of micronutrients and getting pregnant is still in its early stages. This is because fertility is a complicated equation and everyone’s body is different.
Still, some promising studies are starting to show how vitamins help women get pregnant and stay pregnant.
Vitamins are important to the reproductive health of women. They are needed for many things, such as
- menstruation and ovulation
- thyroid function
- energy production
- immune function
- egg quality and maturation
Because of this, getting enough vitamins and minerals is very important if you want to make sure you have a healthy pregnancy.
Some nutrients may even help reduce the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is a common cause of infertility.
Studies have shown that some supplements may help men have more ssperm count and motility, which helps the little swimmers reach their goal.
But keep in mind that more research needs to be done and that these supplements work best when combined with a healthy, well-balanced diet and a healthy way of life.
How we chose
This article’s products were chosen based on the following criteria:
- Ingredients. We looked for supplements with high-quality ingredients and no fillers, additives, or dyes that weren’t needed.
- Effectiveness. All supplements have ingredients or nutrients that have been shown to help with fertility or reproductive health.
- Testing by a third party. All of the products in this article have been tested by a separate lab to make sure they are safe and good.
Also, every brand and product on our list has been vetted to make sure it fits with Healthline’s approach to brand integrity and health. Every item in this piece:
- according to what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules allow for health claims and labelling.
- is made in factories that follow the FDA’s current guidelines for good manufacturing practises
- is made by a company with a good reputation in medicine and that follows ethical, legal, and industry best practises
- is made by a company that gives objective signs of trust, like having third-party labs test its supplements.
How to set prices
- $ = under $0.50 per serving
- $$ = $0.50–$1.00 per serving
- $$$ = $1.01–$1.50 per serving
- $$$$ = over $1.50 per serving
Healthline’s picks of the best fertility supplements
Best overall fertility supplement for women
EU Natural CONCEPTION Female Fertility Prenatal
- Price: $$
- Dosage: 1 capsule twice per day
- Active ingredients include thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, iron, iodine, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium, myo-inositol, chaste tree berry extract, ashwagandha extract, shatavari root extract, stinging needle root extract, para-aminobenzoic acid, choline, BioPerine, and vitamins D, B
This supplement is made from a mix of plant-based ingredients and is made to help keep hormone levels in balance and support a healthy pregnancy.
This product has important nutrients like vitamin D, iron, and vitamin B12, as well as things like myo-inositol, which may help improve fertility.
Also, EU Natural’s CONCEPTION is vegetarian, gluten-free, easy to take, and doesn’t have any fillers or artificial ingredients.
It has been tested by a third-party lab and is made in a facility that has been certified by a third party.
EU Natural also sells a fertility supplement for men that improves the quality and movement of sperm. This supplement can be bought separately online.
Even though the brand says this supplement can be used as a prenatal, you should switch to a more comprehensive prenatal supplement once you find out you are pregnant.
Pros
third-party tested
vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free
free of fillers and artificial ingredients
affordable
Considerations
There have been some reports of a bad taste and smell, but the amounts of each ingredient in the secret blend are not known.
Best overall fertility supplement for men
FullWell Vitality + Virility
- Price: $$$$
- Dosage: 4 capsules twice per day
- Active ingredients include niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, choline, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, grape seed extract, organic turmeric powder, quercetin, lycopene, and vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B6, and B12.
This supplement is a great choice for men trying to get pregnant because it is made with a mix of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help sperm quality and reproductive health.
In fact, it has a number of ingredients that may be especially good for male fertility. One of these is grape seed extract, which has been shown in some animal studies to protect sperm cells from DNA damage.
All of FullWell’s supplements are checked by a third party for heavy metals and other harmful substances. The company will give you a certificate of analysis (COA) if you ask for it. This is a document with detailed test results for each supplement.
On its website, FullWell also sells a prenatal multivitamin to help women get pregnant.
Pros
- third-party tested
- COA available upon request
- free of unnecessary additives and fillers
Considerations
- expensive
- requires four capsules per serving
Best vegan fertility supplement
Natalist Prenatal Daily Packs
- Price: $$$$
- Dosage: 1 packet (5 capsules) per day
- Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, choline, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, menaquinone, DHA omega-3, and vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, and B12 are the active ingredients.
Natalist makes it easier than ever to get the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy. It comes in daily packs of prenatal vitamins.
Each pack has five capsules that contain a mix of nutrients like B vitamins, zinc, selenium, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid.
It also has 27% of the recommended amount of choline, which is an important nutrient for foetal development and healthy reproduction.
All Natalist supplements are safe for vegans, don’t contain gluten, and have been tested by a third party.
Natalist is the first and only company, according to its website, to have a net-zero plastic footprint. This means that it makes up for all the plastic in its products by taking plastic pollution out of the environment.
The company sells convenient prenatal vitamin packs for men as well as prenatal supplements made just for women.
Pros
- convenient daily vitamin packs
- vegan-friendly and gluten-free
- third-party tested
- net-zero plastic footprint
- contains DHA omega-3
Considerations
- more expensive than similar supplements
- Doesn’t have some nutrients that may help with fertility, like coenzyme Q10, and each serving needs five capsules (CoQ10)
Best CoQ10 supplement for fertility
Garden of Life Raw CoQ10
- Price: $$
- Dosage: 1 capsule per day
- Active ingredients: raw CoQ10 and cold-pressed chia seed oil
Even though your body naturally makes CoQ10, some people choose to take extra of it when trying to get pregnant because it has been shown to improve ovarian response and embryo quality in women going through in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
It may also help men have better sperm.
This CoQ10 supplement from Garden of Life is a good choice. It has 200 mg of CoQ10 per serving and a mix of omega fatty acids from cold-pressed chia seed oil to help the body absorb it better.
Plus, it doesn’t have any fillers or binders and is non-GMO, kosher, gluten-free, and certified vegan.
On the company’s website, it says that Garden of Life products are tested by a third party, but the company doesn’t say who does the testing.
Pros
- certified vegan
- certified non-GMO
- gluten-free
- formulated to increase absorption
- made without fillers or binders
- third-party tested
Considerations
- may not be the best choice for people who want supplements with a mix of nutrients
Best fertility supplement subscription
Ritual Prenatal Multivitamin
- Price: $$$
- Dosage: 2 capsules per day
- Active ingredients: folate, biotin, choline, iron, iodine, magnesium, boron, DHA omega-3, vitamin K2, and vitamins D, E, and B12
Ritual is a service that you can sign up for and get a variety of supplements, like prenatal vitamins for women.
The company’s Prenatal Multivitamin has 12 important nutrients like DHA, vitamin B12, folate, and choline that are needed before and during pregnancy.
It also has a citrus tab to make it taste better and a delayed-release capsule that dissolves in the small intestine to get the most out of the medicine.
Ritual also gives detailed information about where each ingredient in its supplements comes from, and all of its products are tested at a separate lab.
Pros
- Tested by a third party,
- the citrus tab improves the taste.
- The capsules have a delayed-release design to make them easier to absorb.
- They also give detailed information about where the ingredients come from.
Considerations
- Unlike other prenatal supplements, it doesn’t have zinc and vitamin B6.
Best easy-to-swallow fertility supplement for men
Nature’s Craft Fertility Booster
- Price: $$
- Dosage: 3 capsules per day
- Niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, iodine, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium, d-aspartic acid, l-arginine, maca root, CoQ10, longjack root, panax ginseng root, d-aspartic acid, l-arginine, and vitamins C, D, E, B6, and B12 are the active ingredients.
Reviewers say that Nature’s Craft Fertility Booster capsules are easy to take and don’t leave a bad taste in the mouth.
This supplement is easy on the wallet and has many important nutrients for men’s fertility, like vitamin D, zinc, and folate.
Each serving also has 250 mg of maca root, which has been shown to improve the quality of sperm in a number of ways.
Nature’s Craft says that its products are thoroughly checked by a third-party lab for pesticides and heavy metals to make sure they are safe.
The company also sells a supplement for women that is meant to make them more fertile. This supplement can be bought separately or as part of a bundle.
Pros
- relatively affordable
- third-party tested
- easy to swallow
Considerations
- because it has gelatin, it’s not good for vegetarians.
Best fertility supplement for sensitive stomachs
Premama Prenatal Vitamin
- Price: $$$
- Dosage: 1 capsule per day
- Active ingredients: iron, folate, riboflavin, biotin, iodine, choline, omega-3 blend, and vitamins B12 and B6
This once-a-day prenatal vitamin from Premama is great for women with sensitive stomachs because it has a peppermint flavour to help stop nausea and delayed-release capsules to keep digestive problems from happening.
It also gives you DHA, iron, vitamin B12, and folate, all of which are important for a healthy pregnancy, in a single capsule.
During the manufacturing process, Premama supplements are tested by a third party and tested in-house more than once. However, the name of the testing organisation is not listed on the brand’s website.
This product is free of additives, gluten-free, and made without genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Pros
- vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and non-GMO
- features delayed-release capsules and peppermint flavor to ease digestive issues
- requires only one capsule per day
- third-party tested
Considerations
- some reviewer reports of fishy burps
- doesn’t contain zinc
Best budget-friendly fertility supplement
Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA
- Price: $
- Dosage: 1 softgel per day
- Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, EPA omega-3, DHA omega-3, and vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B6, and B12
Nature Made is a reputable company that is known for making high-quality supplements that are also affordable.
This prenatal supplement is made by Nature Made.
Folic acid, iron, zinc, DHA, and vitamin D are some of the nutrients in each softgel that help a baby grow and a mother stay healthy.
United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a third-party group that tests supplements for purity and strength, has given this one its seal of approval.
Also, it doesn’t have any artificial flavours or dyes and is made without gluten.
Pros
- certified by USP
- budget-friendly
- requires only one softgel per day
Considerations
- It’s not good for vegetarians because it’s made with gelatin.
- It also doesn’t have some nutrients that other prenatals do, like choline.
Best gummy fertility supplement
SmartyPants Prenatal Formula
- Price: $$
- Dosage: 4 gummies per day
- Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, choline, iodine, zinc, selenium, fish oil, inositol, and vitamins A, C, D, E, K1, K2, B6, and B12
If you have trouble swallowing pills or softgels, these prenatal gummies from SmartyPants may be a good choice for you.
They have 16 essential nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and vitamin D, that are needed for fertility and pregnancy.
These gummies have been checked by a third party and don’t have any artificial flavours, dyes, or preservatives.
Plus, they don’t have gluten, milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, or tree nuts, which are some of the most common allergens.
Pros
- convenient gummy form
- free of major allergens
- third-party tested
- free of synthetic flavors, dyes, and preservatives
Considerations
- because it has gelatin, it’s not good for vegetarians.
- 6 grammes of added sugar per serving of four gummies
Best vitamin D supplement for fertility
Needed Prenatal Vitamin D
- Price: $
- Dosage: 1 capsule up to 5 times per day
- Active ingredients: vitamin D and vitamin K2
This vitamin D supplement from Needed is made for women who are trying to get pregnant, who are pregnant, or who are breastfeeding.
It also has vitamin K2, a form of vitamin K that works with vitamin D to help keep bones and the heart healthy.
Vitamin D is an important nutrient for fertility, and some studies have linked low levels to a higher risk of infertility in both men and women.
Needed Prenatal Vitamin D has been tested by a third party and is safe for vegetarians and people with major allergies.
It is also non-GMO and doesn’t have any fillers, dyes, flavours, or preservatives that are made in a lab.
Pros
- third-party tested
- vegetarian-friendly
- free of major allergens
- doesn’t contain artificial fillers, dyes, or preservatives
- affordable
Considerations
- people who want a supplement with a mix of nutrients may not like it.
Best omega-3 supplement for fertility
Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA
- Price: $$
- Dosage: 2 softgels per day
- Active ingredients: vitamin D and omega-3s
Some research shows that getting enough omega-3 fatty acids through food or supplements could make women more fertile and improve the quality of their sperm.
With 830 mg of omega-3 fatty acids and a good amount of vitamin D in each serving, this supplement from Nordic Naturals makes it easy to meet your needs.
These softgels have also been tested by a third party, are non-GMO, and are certified to be sustainable.
You can get them without any flavour or with strawberry flavour.
Pros
- third-party tested
- certified sustainable
- available in strawberry flavor or unflavored
Considerations
- not suitable for vegetarians
- shouldn’t be used as a replacement for a prenatal supplement
- some reported side effects, such as fishy burps and nausea
How to choose a fertility supplement
When choosing a fertility supplement, it’s important to think about a number of things, such as the nutrients it contains, how it’s taken, whether you have any special dietary needs, how much it costs, and how well it’s been tested.
Nutrients to look for
When looking for fertility supplements, there are a few nutrients you should look for.
In fact, it has been shown that many nutrients help with certain parts of fertility and reproductive health.
- L-carnitine. This amino acid has been shown to slow the changes that happen to a woman’s reproductive system as she ages. It may also help endometriosis and PCOS patients feel better. It might also help men’s sperm move better.
- Vitamin B12. One study from 2015 found that women getting treatment for infertility who had higher levels of vitamin B12 in their blood were more likely to get pregnant. Also, some research shows that vitamin B12 can improve the quality of sperm.
- Folic acid. Before getting pregnant, women are often told to take folic acid supplements. Folic acid supplements may help prevent neural tube defects in a developing foetus, in addition to making women more fertile.
- Vitamin C. One review of research says that taking vitamin C and vitamin E together may help improve the quality and movement of sperm.
- Vitamin D. Some research has shown that both men and women might not be able to get pregnant if they don’t get enough vitamin D. So, if your vitamin D levels are low, it might be a good idea to take a supplement.
- CoQ10. Even though your body makes this antioxidant, one study showed that taking CoQ10 supplements could help women whose ovaries respond better to IVF. Plus, it may help men’s sperm be more active and have more sperm.
- Iron. In an older study, it was found that getting more iron was linked to a lower risk of ovulatory infertility. But iron supplements are usually not needed if you get enough iron from your food. They may help if you don’t get enough iron, though.
- Zinc. A 2019 study found that women who had low levels of zinc in their blood took longer to get pregnant. Zinc is also needed to make sperm, but studies on how it affects male fertility have shown mixed results.
- Selenium. Researchers think that a lack of selenium may be a factor in miscarriages and the quality of sperm. Selenium may also help keep the fluid around a woman’s eggs healthy, and when taken with vitamin E, it may improve the quality of sperm.
- Vitamin E. This nutrient has antioxidant properties that may help men’s sperm work better and help women’s overall reproductive health, but more research is needed to figure out how well it works.
- fats with omega-3s. Studies show that this healthy fat for the heart could make men’s sperm better and help them move around more. One study also found that women were more likely to get pregnant if they took omega-3 supplements.
Keep in mind that you can also get many of these nutrients from food and that you might not need supplements if you eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Additional considerations
Besides making sure your supplement has the right nutrients, there are a few other things to think about, such as:
- Type. Think about whether you can take pills or would rather have a gummy supplement. Some things are made to be easier to swallow or to be easier on your stomach.
- Dietary needs. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, make sure to read the label carefully or look for certified vegan, hypoallergenic, or gluten-free supplements, depending on what you need.
- Price. You can look at the prices of different products and find one that fits your budget. Some companies may offer discounted subscriptions or bundles, which can help bring down the overall cost.
- Testing. When you can, look for supplements that have been tested by a third party. This can make sure that the supplement is safe, effective, and pure.
When to see a fertility specialist
If you’re under 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for a year or more but haven’t been successful, you might want to talk to a fertility specialist.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, women over 35 may need to see a fertility specialist after 6 months of trying to get pregnant, and women over 40 may need to see a fertility specialist even sooner.
You may also want to talk to a fertility specialist if you or your partner are having trouble getting pregnant:
- has had three miscarriages or more has trouble getting or keeping an erection has irregular, heavy, or no periods
- has had sexually transmitted diseases in the past, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea
Frequently asked questions
How can I boost my fertility?
There are many things that can affect your fertility, some of which you may not be able to change, like your age, your genes, and your medical history.
But a great way to increase your chances of getting pregnant is to do your best to get all the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. You can do this through food or supplements.
What is the best vitamin for female fertility?
Many of the above supplements can help women get pregnant, like EU Natural CONCEPTION, which is a mix of vitamins, minerals, and herbs that help balance hormone levels and support a healthy pregnancy.
Can prenatal vitamins help you get pregnant?
Prenatal vitamins are made with a lot of the vitamins and minerals you need for a healthy pregnancy, and they might even help you get pregnant.
But remember that prenatal vitamins are just one of many things that can affect your ability to get pregnant and your chances of getting pregnant.
What vitamins help you get pregnant?
Many vitamins, like vitamin B12 and folate, can improve reproductive health and fertility.
You can get these nutrients by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet or by filling in the gaps with some of the supplements listed above.
The bottom line
When you’re having trouble getting pregnant, there are a lot of things you can’t change, like your genes, your age, and your unpredictable cycle.
But you can take charge of making sure your body gets the best nutrition possible, including vitamins and minerals.
You can work with a doctor or nurse to find the right mix of vitamins to increase your chances of having a healthy baby.
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