Fertility Supplements & Vitamins: An Evidence Based Review

Sperm and egg cells take approximately 90 days to develop before they can be ejaculated or ovulated. The development of each is a highly complex and energy-dependent process that is supported by and requires a diverse array of micronutrients.  

Sure, a fertility-friendly diet, eliminating smoking, minimizing alcohol, and engaging in fertility-friendly exercise can be a great place for everyone to start when trying to conceive, but fertility-specific supplements may help you fill in nutritional gaps and provide other nutrients that are difficult to get through diet alone.

This article will cover everything you need to know about the micronutrients recommended to support sperm/egg quality and overall male and female fertility. We’ll cover vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, ayurvedic medicine, biomolecules, and other unique nutrients, along with some products we have developed through our own brand of supplements, Molecular Fertility. 

What are Fertility Supplements? 

Quite simply, fertility supplements are pills, capsules, softgels, or liquid dietary supplements that are sold over the counter without a prescription and contain specific nutrients designed to support the quality of eggs, sperm, or other aspects of reproductive health.  Fertility supplements can contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, antioxidants, whole foods, biomolecules, and other nutrients.

Micronutrients are essential for many reproductive processes, and a growing number of studies have shown many of the nutrients discussed in this article to support:

• sperm count
• sperm motility
• sperm DNA integrity
• sperm morphology
• egg quality and maturation
• menstrual cycles and ovulatory health
• immune health
• energy production (which is important for egg and sperm production)
• pregnancy rates

While a tremendous amount of research has been done in the area of micronutrients and fertility, it’s important to remember that each person is different, and there is still much to learn about the role various micronutrients play in fertility.

Who Should Take Fertility Vitamins? 

Men and women looking to support or improve their sperm, egg, ovulatory, or general reproductive health should consider taking fertility supplements. 

Men can use fertility vitamins and supplements to support the health of sperm count, motility, morphology, testosterone levels, and to help support overall health. 

For women, fertility supplements can help to support healthy egg quality, ovarian reserve, ovarian health, endometrial lining development, immune system health, and overall health.

Women are also often recommended to take a prenatal and fish oil throughout the duration of pregnancy and lactation.

Remember, each person is different and supplements can interfere with prescription medications so it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider prior to beginning a new dietary supplement.

Similarly, it’s important to keep in mind that not all fertility supplements (or supplements in general) are made equal. While the FDA does play an important role in the regulation of dietary supplements, they’re not looked at with the same level of scrutiny or held to the same purity standards as manufactured drugs.

Be sure you do your research, speak with a healthcare professional if you take any medications or have known medical conditions, and use a trusted brand/manufacturer when selecting the right supplements for you.

When Should you Take Fertility Supplements?

Sperm and eggs both take about 90 days to develop.   For best results, most specialists recommend taking male and female fertility supplements for at least 30 but ideally 90+ days prior to conception.

CoQ10: One of the Most Important Fertility Supplement

Coenzyme Q10 is a biomolecule naturally produced by the human body. It functions as a potent antioxidant and also helps generate cellular energy.  Though produced by the body, levels generally start to decline in the 30s.

As a supplement, CoQ10 has also been shown to support many aspects of human health including male and female fertility. Because of this, CoQ10 is widely taken as a dietary supplement.

For Males

A 2019 study of 65 men showed that supplementing with Co-Q10 improved sperm count and motility.  

While different dosages had a different level of effect, both groups saw statistically significant improvement in many measures of sperm health. 

Many others have similarly demonstrated CoQ10’s ability to support sperm count, motility, concentration, and morphology.

For Females

A 2015 study looking at female reproductive health showed that suboptimal levels of CoQ10 were associated with decreased numbers of oocytes and other age-associated factors known to impact fertility.   The study also produced evidence that supplementing Co-Q10 can improve oocyte quantity and quality.  

Another 2018 study found that pre-supplementation with Co-Q10 improved a number of critical measurements of fertility.

In this study, women who supplemented with 600mg of CoQ10 for 3 months had improved fertilization rates (67% vs. 45%) and a live birth rate of 29% vs. 16%.

Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin for Fertility

Vitamin D, unlike most other vitamins, is a prohormone meaning it is a precursor to other hormones. And despite its name, Vitamin D isn’t technically a vitamin for humans because we are capable of synthesizing it. 

Despite your body being able to synthesize Vitamin D, sun exposure often does not provide adequate vitamin D levels, which is a problem because only a small number of foods contain a significant amount.

In fact, approximately 40% of the population is deficient in this vital nutrient.

This could be bad news for your reproductive health as both vitamin D receptors and vitamin D converting enzymes are found in male and female reproductive tissues. In fact, mice that lack the genes to produce these vitamin D receptors have significantly smaller testes and ovaries, reduced sperm count and motility, and other abnormalities of the testis, ovary, and uterus.

For Females

Not surprisingly, Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to negatively impact human female fertility and pregnancy rates.

One study analyzing 188 women found pregnancy rates to be 4 times higher in women that had adequate vitamin D levels compared to those who were vitamin D deficient and a 2009 study found that each ng/mL increase in blood vitamin D levels increased the likelihood of achieving pregnancy by 6%.

A study from 2019 reinforced this notion when they found that vitamin D supplementation lead to better embryo quality and higher pregnancy rates.

But data isn’t always conclusive.  Some studies have shown that vitamin D supplementation has minimal to no effect on pregnancy outcomes.

For Males

For men, low vitamin D status has been associated with impaired semen quality, like reduced sperm count and motility.

Fortunately, vitamin D supplementation may help. A 2018 study showed that compared to a placebo-controlled group, couples in which the men supplemented with Vitamin D had nearly double the pregnancy rate; 35.6% vs 18.3%.

Omega 3’s/Fish Oil

It is well documented that fertility is influenced by the immune system and that omega 3s have important immune-supporting properties. It makes sense then that one way Omega 3 supplementation could help support fertility is through its role in immune health.

Many people know that omega 3s during pregnancy support maternal health and fetal neural development, but omega supplementation may also play an important role in supporting healthy reproductive function in males and females.

For Females

One study suggests that increasing omega 3 fatty acid levels may delay ovarian aging, improve egg quality, and improve overall fertility.

A 2018 study further supported this notion by demonstrating that the probability of clinical pregnancy increased by 8% for every 1% increase in blood omega 3 levels.

For Males

Omega 3 supplementation also appears to be beneficial for male fertility.

One study discovered a correlation between omega 3 blood levels and key sperm parameters noting that higher omega 3 levels were associated with higher sperm count and better motility and morphology.

Other studies have demonstrated that omega 3 supplementation can improve sperm count, motility, and morphology.

Inositol: One of the Most Important Fertility Supplements

Inositol is a type of sugar molecule. But don’t let that association fool you into thinking inositol is at all like high fructose corn syrup or even glucose for that matter. Inositol is involved in chemical messaging in the brain, contributes to cell membrane structures, participates in insulin signaling, glucose metabolism, and hormone production.

Inositol supplementation has been demonstrated to improve the management of blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, and to reduce insulin resistance. One study showed myo-inositol supplementation decrease insulin resistance by approximately 70%.  

For Females

Interestingly, many fertility specialists theorize that high glucose and insulin levels disrupt normal ovulation and female fertility.  

In one relatively small study, 88% of women who supplemented with inositol had at least one spontaneous menstrual cycle during the study, 72% of participants maintained normal ovulatory activity for 6 months, and 40% developed singleton pregnancies. Another slightly larger study found that over a 6 month period of inositol supplementation for fertility, 45.5% of patients become pregnant during the study period.

Several studies have also demonstrated that inositol may improve egg quality and clinical pregnancy rates.

In one of the studies mentioned above, the fertilization rate, a measure of egg quality was looked at. Those supplementing with inositol saw a nearly 20% improvement in fertilization, 58.3%, compared to 42.6% for the control group.

All of this was further supported by a meta-analysis reviewing most major inositol for fertility studies which concluded inositol supplementation for fertility was associated with significantly improved clinical pregnancy rates.

For Males

While inositol is widely regarded as a female fertility supplement, several studies have shown inositol has a positive effect on sperm motility and other male parameters of .

While the outlook on inositol for fertility is generally positive, it’s important to note that some studies like this 2012 study did not find significant differences in pregnancy rates.  

Ashwagandha: An Important Male Fertility Supplement

Ashwagandha is a plant native to India. It has been used for thousands of years in traditional Ayurvedic medicine but is gaining popularity as a fertility supplement as studies have demonstrated its ability to improve key male fertility parameters. While there are some accounts of it being used for female fertility, research predominately supports its use as a male fertility supplement. 

In one placebo-controlled study, men who took ashwagandha for 90 days saw an increase a number of key fertility measures.

Specifically, those who took Ashwagandha saw an average increase in sperm counts by 167%, motility by 57%, semen volume by 53%, and testosterone by 17%.

Other studies have similarly shown ashwagandha to support various aspects of sperm health.

Ashwagandha appears to exert its powers as a fertility supplement through a variety of mechanisms including its effect on reactive oxygen species, supporting healthy stress levels, hormone levels, and seminal essential metal concentrations.

Upon a closer look at stress, we can see that it has been shown to negatively impact many measurements of male fertility.

One study showed that Ashwagandha reduced serum cortisol levels by 27.9%.  Cortisol is the key stress hormone and a biomarker of stress. And if you’re not convinced by biology, those in this same study scored significantly lower (44%, 72.9, and 71.6%, to be exact) on three independent stress and anxiety scales. Many other studies have backed these results.

It is however important to note that while human studies have generally been positive, some animal studies on rats have found spermicidal effects.

PQQ Supplementation for Fertility

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a redox cofactor and antioxidant that has only recently made waves in the fertility supplement world. This vitamin-like compound has been shown to induce mitochondrial biogenesis. In other words, it was shown to stimulate the growth of new mitochondria. Mitochondria, as mentioned above, are the cellular powerhouse where nutrients are turned into a form of energy cells can use.

PQQ, as a redox cofactor, is also a powerful antioxidant.

As you may recall, both eggs and sperm take a lot of energy to grow, maintain, and in sperm’s case, swim.  On top of that, as humans age, they become less efficient in creating cellular energy. Male and female gametes are also highly sensitive to oxidative stress.

All of this supports the idea that when PQQ supplementation is combined with CoQ10 it can help to further optimize cellular energy generation. CoQ10 optimizes mitochondrial function; PQQ activates genes for mitochondrial reproduction, protection, and repair.

Folate 

Folate and folic acid are different forms of vitamin B-9. While they are similar, Folate is the natural version that is found in foods, the active form of which is 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF).

Folic acid, on the other hand, is a synthetic form of the nutrient and is often used to fortify processed foods and in some generic supplements. As you may suspect, not all folic acid you consume can be converted into that active 5-MTHF which may be a problem.

For Pregnancy

It has been demonstrated that when taken during pregnancy folate can significantly reduce the chance of fetal neural tube defects, including spina bifida and anencephaly.  Folate supplementation may also support other aspects of fetal neurodevelopment and maternal health during pregnancy.

For all these reasons it’s important that mothers have adequate folate blood levels at the time of conception. It is therefore recommended that women planning to get pregnant start taking folate at least one month before conception and that they continue to take it throughout pregnancy

But the news doesn’t stop there for this famous pregnancy vitamin. Studies have begun to show that folate doesn’t just help with fetal and maternal health once pregnant, it may help support fertility.

For Female Fertility

Studies have shown that folate may improve oocyte development and embryo quality.

One study conducted in 2015 showed that women with higher blood folate levels had 160% higher live birth rates in comparison to women with lower folate levels.

Another study of 232 women found that higher folate intake was associated with higher rates of embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth.

Additional studies on how nutrients affect reproduction have shown that folate is essential to oocyte quality and growth, implantation, fetal growth, and organ development.

For Males

In some studies, folate has also been shown to support the fertility of men.  Folate is known to work with zinc in the production of sperm DNA.  However, the results of some studies are conflicting.

According to several studies, higher seminal folate levels have been shown to be positively associated with sperm count as well as help support sperm DNA integrity and male fertility.

On the other hand, a 2019 study found no benefit. While no benefit was found, it’s important to note that the 2019 study didn’t find that folate harmed sperm.

Vitamin C for Male Fertility

A large scale meta-analysis found that male fertility and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) were inversely related This makes male fertility a prime target for antioxidant support.

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that protects your cells from free radicals and oxidation. Studies show that consuming extra vitamin C can increase blood antioxidant levels up to 30%.

In one small study, men who took 2000 mg of Vitamin C daily for two months showed an increase in sperm count and motility. 

After two months of Vitamin C supplementation, sperm counts more than doubled.  

In the same study, the % of motile sperm nearly doubled from 31.2% motility to 60.1%. 

The men’s sperm also showed marked improvements in their shape/morphology.

While this was a small study of only 13 men, several other studies have supported the potential value of Vitamin C and other antioxidant supplements for male fertility.

Many fruits have vitamin C that could support healthy sperm count and motility, but they are also loaded with sugar which could be fertility damaging. For that reason, supplementation may be viewed as a superior way to increase vitamin C levels when compared to consuming pounds of fruit each day.

Choline for Pregnancy

Choline is an essential nutrient that is vital for many body functions.  Choline supports cell growth, metabolism, liver, and muscle function.  The body naturally produces choline, but the majority comes from diet. Surprisingly, according to one study, 91% of Americans don’t meet the daily recommended intake for Choline . . . and requirements are even higher during pregnancy.

Furthermore, OBGYNs and fertility specialists alike are increasingly recognizing the importance of ensuring adequate levels of choline during pregnancy.   Research has shown that choline may support fetal tissue expansion, brain development, neurotransmission, and overall pregnancy outcomes during pregnancy.

Carnitine

Carnitine is an amino acid derivative that plays a role in the production of cellular energy by transporting fatty acids into the cell’s mitochondria.

Interestingly, carnitine is found in high concentrations in the male reproductive tract, suggesting an important role in generating the energy needed for the maturation and motility of sperm.

Carnitine can be consumed as a supplement in one of many forms: Carnitine, Acetyl L Carnitine, L-Carnitine-L-Tartrate.

Carnitine for Males

Research has shown that supplementing ALC can help support sperm motility and other aspects of reproductive health.

Carnitine for Females

Carnitine may also help support endometrium development, pregnancy rates and female fertility.

Shilajit for Male Fertility

Shilajit is a natural substance with a tar-like texture. It has been used in ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years as a dietary supplement, and recently, for male fertility.

It is reported to improve a few important aspects of male fertility, including sperm count and motility. One study noted a 61% increase in sperm count and a 12-17% increase in sperm motility after taking Shilajit as a fertility supplement for 90 days.

Shilajit may be able to support male fertility further by working synergistically with CoQ10. One study showed ATP (cellular energy currency) levels to be the highest in rats given both CoQ10 and Shilajit.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral that is naturally found in meat, fish, and eggs.  Getting appropriate levels of Zinc is considered essential for male fertility as zinc works alongside folate in the synthesis of spermatic DNA.  

Studies show that zinc levels are positively associated with testosterone levels and sperm quality.

However, one rather large study of over 2,000 couples found no difference in sperm quality after 6 months of supplementation.

Lycopene

Lycopene is a naturally occurring molecule that gives many fruits their red color and possesses antioxidant properties.

It is also a common dietary supplement and one that has shown promise as a fertility supplement.

One study from 2002 showed that 4 mg of lycopene supplementation for three months improved men’s sperm counts by 22 million/ml, motility by 25%, and morphology by 10% from baseline to after supplementation.

Several other studies have shown similar support for lycopene supplementation improving fertility.

Selenium

Selenium is a trace element that is essential for many vital processes in the human body.

In one 2011 study of over 600 men, selenium combined with vitamin E supplementation significantly improved several sperm measurements.  52.6% of participants saw improvements in sperm motility, morphology, or both, and 10.8% achieved spontaneous pregnancy.

Selenium has also been shown to support healthy full term pregnancies along with nervous and immune systems development in growing fetuses.

Several other studies have shown similar results and supported selenium use as a fertility supplement.

B12: Another Important Fertility Vitamin 

Vitamin B-12 is a nutrient that is involved in the metabolism of every cell in the human body.  Vitamin B-12 helps make DNA and also keeps nerve and blood cells healthy. 

For Males

Fertility specialists agree that vitamin B-12 plays an important role in sperm development, as it does with all cells.  Research has shown that vitamin B-12 can help improve semen quality, particularly sperm count and sperm motility.

A study conducted in 2013 showed that oral vitamin B-12 supplementation could improve sperm vitality, motility, and DNA integrity.  

For Females

For women, vitamin B12 may also be quite important. 

One study showed that women with the highest blood levels of vitamin B-12 had two times the probability of live birth compared with women with the lowest blood levels.

ALA Supplementation for Fertility

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a compound that is found in all human cells. It is made in the mitochondria, where it helps turn nutrients into cellular energy. As we know, growing and maintaining healthy eggs and sperm are highly energy-dependent processes.

ALA also has powerful antioxidant activity and has been shown to support immune health.  As mentioned, immune health is important for both male and female fertility.

One study published in Fertility and Sterility found that supplementing with 400 mg ALA for 60-90 days increased the numbers of mature and good-quality eggs and embryos women produced. Pregnancy rates were also higher for women who took ALA supplements compared to the control group, though the difference didn’t reach a statistically significant level.

In a study looking at male fertility, men taking 600 mg of ALA experienced improved sperm counts and motility.

A 2021 systematic review of studies that looked at ALA supplementation for fertility concluded that ALA is beneficial for male and female fertility. Specifically, the review supported the idea that ALA improves fertilization, embryo development, sperm quality, and reproductive outcomes.

Iodine

Iodine is a mineral that can be found in seafood or as a dietary supplement.  It is an essential element of thyroid hormones, and it helps to control cell growth, repair damaged cells, and metabolism. 

During early pregnancy, the fetus is dependent on the mother’s thyroid hormones for normal brain development.  If thyroid production is affected by low iodine levels, then normal fetal brain development can be disturbed. Research has shown that taking iodine supplements can help to combat iodine deficiency in pregnant women. Iodine deficiency is common in the US population, especially pregnant women. 

Iodine may also contribute to female fertility. In one study, women with low Iodine levels were observed to have a 46% lower chance of achieving pregnancy per menstrual cycle compared to women with sufficient levels.

Iron

Iron is an essential mineral for growth, development, and the production of hormones.  Iron is used to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to organs and tissues throughout the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles.

The amount of blood in a woman’s body increases by 30-50% during pregnancy.  Extra iron supports extra blood production/volume and helps support healthy fetal development.

Research has also shown that iron supports healthy ovulation.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is vital for normal vision, immune system health, and reproduction.  Vitamin A also supports many parts of the body like the heart, lungs, and other organs. 

Research has shown that Vitamin A is essential for reproduction in both males and females.

Studies have shown that supplementing vitamin A can support egg quality, ovarian response, implantation, embryonic development, and placental function.

Vitamin E for Fertility

Vitamin E is the collective name for a group of fat-soluble compounds with distinctive antioxidant activities.

Female Fertility

As discussed throughout this article, reactive oxygen species can disrupt a number of reproductive processes and may negatively affect fertilization and embryo implantation, early embryonic development, and more.

Antioxidants like vitamin E protect against reactive oxygen species and have been associated with improved female fertility outcomes and pregnancy health. In fact, Vitamin E was discovered as a vitamin necessary for reproduction.

Male Fertility

Vitamin E is also recognized to have positive effects on several different sperm parameters and overall male fertility.  Recent studies have shown an increase in sperm motility for men who take vitamin E supplements.   Additional research supports the protective and beneficial effects of vitamin E on semen quality.  Fertility specialists advocate for the use of vitamin E supplementation for general male fertility improvement.

A review of multiple studies, published in 2016, showed that supplementing with vitamin E (along with C) reduces sperm DNA damage and improves sperm count and motility.

CNY Fertility Supplement Recommendations

As you can see there are many vitamins and nutrients that have been demonstrated to support fertility healthy. 

To help provide a trusted and simplified solution, our team of specialists developed our own line of fertility supplements called Molecular Fertility.

In general, we recommend females take:

• Peak Prenatal
• VivoMega Fish Oil
• Ovarian Bloom
• Immunoglobulin IgG

For males, we recommend taking:

• The Male Preconception or Male Preconception+
• VivoMega Fish Oil

The Best Fertility Supplements for Women

Peak Prenatal™

Peak Prenatal was designed to provide the nutritional foundations of female reproductive health fertility and support to mom and baby pre, during, and post-pregnancy. 

We recommend the Peak Prenatal be taken starting 90 days prior to conception and taken through pregnancy and lactation.

Ovarian Bloom™

The Ovarian Bloom is formulated to help support preconception, ovulatory, and egg health.   Ovarian Bloom is composed of the following ingredients:

• CoQ10
• Vitamin D
• Inositol
• PQQ
• ALA
• Ovarian Glandulars

VivoMega™ Fish Oil

Molecular Fertility’s VIVOMEGA™ FISH OIL is different than any ordinary fish oil.  One serving delivers 6 times the omega 3s found in typical over-the-counter fish oil supplements. VIVOMEGA™ FISH OIL surpasses international standards for purity, freshness, and oxidation and is in the natural TG form for optimal absorption and efficacy.

It’s a bit pricier than your typical fish oil, but as mentioned, it’s 6 times the strength, so it may actually be more affordable on a per mg of omega 3 bases.

Best Male Fertility Supplements

Male Preconception

The Male Preconception was designed to provide the nutrients that are foundations of male fertility and to help support sperm count, morphology, and motility. It contains:

• Vitamin A, C, D, and E
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Lycopene
• Folate
• Vitamin B12
• Acetyl-L-Carnitine
• L-Carnitine-L-Tartrate

Male Preconception+

The Male Preconception+ provides a similar foundation as the standard Male Preconception but also includes many other ingredients to take it one step further.  The ingredients included in Male Preconception are the same as the above (though some in slightly higher doses) as well as:

• Co-Q10
• Ashwagandha
• Shilajit
• Inositol
• Arginine 
• NAC
• D-Aspartic Acid
• ALA
• PQQ
• Pomegranate fruit extract
• Green Tea Leaf Extract
• Chlorella
• Spirulina 
• Garlic

VivoMega Fish Oil

As mentioned above, fish oil is important for supporting sperm health and male fertility. We recommend the same fish oil for men as women, Molecular Fertility’s VivoMega.

The Bottom Line

Fertility is affected by many lifestyle factors and may be helped by implementing specific changes to diet, supplement regimens, and more. Many studies have shown that both male and female fertility is affected by micronutrient deficiencies and that it can be supported through supplementation.

At CNY Fertility, we recommend fertility supplements to help support sperm and egg health and the health of mom and baby during pregnancy. Our fertility specialists comprising of Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologists, recommend those looking for a reliable fertility supplement turn to Molecular Fertility.