Buying guide for shopping guide for best fertility supplements for women
If you’re having trouble conceiving, you’re not alone. Ten of every 100 women in the U.S. have difficulty becoming pregnant. While there are prescription medications and medical intervention like in vitro fertilization (IVF) available through doctors, non-prescription supplements often are a good place to start when it comes to increasing fertility. These blends of vitamins, herbs, and other natural compounds promote improved fertility, often by regulating your menstrual cycle and ovulation, improving egg quality, and even helping fertility conditions such a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
With all the claims made by manufacturers of fertility supplements, it can be hard to know what to believe and whether or not their products can really help. On the other hand, it’s tempting to opt for a $20 to $50 supplement instead of the thousands of dollars you could end up spending on fertility treatments. But do these supplements actually work? Which ones are safe to take?
We’ve created a guide to answer your questions. You can also skip to our top five recommendations for popular fertility supplements. Be sure, however, to consult your doctor before you begin taking any type of fertility supplement.
Key considerations
Causes of fertility issues
Men and women are equally likely to have fertility problems. For women, there are a host of factors that can interfere with conception and carrying a pregnancy to full term. Issues with ovulation caused by a hormone imbalance, like PCOS, can make it hard to conceive. Other medical conditions like endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a history of STDs causing damage to the reproductive system, and uterine fibroids can also affect fertility. Chemotherapy or radiation treatment may contribute to fertility issues, as well as taking antipsychotic medications.
Lifestyle also plays a role in fertility issues. Smoking cigarettes, recreational drug use (marijuana and cocaine), and alcohol abuse put you at risk for infertility. Your weight is also a factor. Changing your lifestyle and eating habits alone may boost your fertility. It’s important to follow a nutrient-rich diet, full of antioxidants, folate, fiber, and high-fat dairy.
Lastly, fertility drops significantly in women over the age of 40.
Types of fertility supplements
Fertility supplements for those trying to get pregnant come in various forms.
Pills, such capsules or tablets, are taken with or without food once or twice daily. If pills are challenging for you to swallow, so you may want to consider the next two options.
Packets are blends that dissolve into water or can be mixed into drinks and tend to be easy on the stomach.
Teas are brewed and consumed like regular tea. Follow directions for frequency of consumption. These are generally caffeine free.
Did you know?
Some fertility supplements for women also double as prenatal vitamins so you don’t have to discontinue them once you get pregnant.
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Features
Fertility supplements can contain a huge range of ingredients, from household-name vitamins like C and E to Chinese herbs. Here we’ve listed the most common compounds you can expect to find in a fertility supplement.
Vitamins
Myo-Inositol is associated with the B-vitamin family (inositol is sometimes referred to as B8). A popular compound in fertility supplements, myo-inositol may assist with PCOS and improve ovulation and regulate menstrual cycles in those with fertility issues.
Folate and folic acid are two forms of B9. Folic acid is the synthetic form. It’s essential both for women trying to conceive and for pregnant women, as it can prevent birth defects. It can also increase levels of progesterone and lower the risk of irregular ovulation.
Zinc regulates normal hormone balance, cell division, and ovulation. The recommended dosage is 8 to 12 milligrams a day is the recommended dosage.
Antioxidants
CoQ10 is reported to improve egg quality, though no study with human subjects has proven this. It may, however, improve sperm function.
Herbs
Chaste tree berry, also known as vitex agnus-castus or just vitex, is thought to regulate irregular cycles and improve ovulation.
Amino Acids
L-arginine is an amino acid (the building blocks of protein) that is thought to improve blood flow to the uterus and the ovaries.
L-carnitine is another amino acid you may see in the ingredient list of a fertility supplement, although it’s more associated with aiding male fertility.
"Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is common among women of reproductive age and is caused by imbalanced reproductive hormones. Many fertility supplement blends are targeted to help this health condition. "
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Fertility supplement prices
Fertility supplements for women in pill and packet form range in price from $20 to $50. Teas designed to support fertility may fall below this range, starting at $11 and going up to $18.
Inexpensive fertility pills and packets are priced between $20 and $29. These may come from questionable manufacturers, so choose cautiously in this price bucket. You may not be getting quality or effective supplements.
Mid-range fertility supplements start at $30 and go up to $39. These have more consistent results than budget brands and come from more reputable manufacturers.
Expensive fertility supplements run between $40 and $50, and even higher. The claims of these brands may not be any more impressive than mid-priced products, so if sky’s not the limit on your spending, you may be better off with a less expensive yet equally effective product.
Tips
Along with taking a supplement, following these guidelines can improve your chances of conception.
- Avoid trans fats and reduce your carb intake (avoiding refined carbs altogether) when trying to conceive.
- Eat your vegetables. Up your intake of fiber through veggies while also opting for more plant protein over high-processed meats.
- Reduce your caffeine consumption. More than 200 to 300 mg of caffeine a day has been shown to reduce fertility by 27%.
- Reduce stress! If you’re having trouble conceiving, this should top your list. High stress leads to high cortisol which can throw your hormones out of whack. Try yoga, acupuncture, or meditation for stress relief and get back into hormonal balance.
- Track your fertility so you know when it’s the optimal time to conceive during your cycle. Ovulation tests can take the guesswork out of this process.
FAQ
Q. Do fertility supplements really work?
A. Unlike prescription medications, supplements do not have to prove their effectiveness in clinical studies to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so they are less regulated than fertility drugs. Therefore, the claims manufacturers make about the effectiveness of these supplements are not backed by the FDA or other hard data. That said, many consumers have claimed to get results by using them. It’s best to consult with a healthcare practitioner before starting any supplement, especially if you’re already on medication or have pre-existing medical issues.
Q. At what point should I consult my doctor if I’m not conceiving?
A. Women under 35 who are trying to conceive should see a doctor after a year of trying. Women over 35 should see a doctor after six months of trying. Of course, you should go to your doctor at any time if you have concerns about your fertility or suspect you have a health issue interfering with conception.
Q. Are there any other natural supplements I can take to boost fertility?
A. There is some evidence that maca, derived from the root of a plant grown in South America, can improve fertility. You’ll find maca powders marketed towards fertility available but any maca powder will do. Evening of primrose oil, which is widely available in softgels, contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that may increase cervical mucus (a good thing!). Take 1,500 mg from day one to day 14 of your cycle.
