Top 5 Natural Female Fertility Supplements: A Comprehensive Guide
If you’re a woman who is trying to conceive, taking daily nutritional supplements to support your fertility health and reproductive goals can be a beneficial component of your overall health regimen. Many supplements have been found to support various female fertility parameters, including ovulation, conception, and pregnancy.
As we may not get sufficient amounts of essential nutrients from diet alone, supplements offer an effective alternative. Many are antioxidants1, nutrients that protect against cellular damage caused by unstable molecules. Known as free radicals, excess levels cause oxidative and cellular damage and increase inflammation, both of which can have a damaging impact on the female reproductive system and function. With female infertility rates2 affecting about 11% of American women of reproductive age, individuals and couples are turning to the use of fertility supplements to boost conception and support successful pregnancies.
Before starting any new supplement regimen, you must discuss these changes with your doctor or fertility specialist, as they may have their own recommendations. Plus, not every supplement will be right for every situation. With that in mind, let’s explore the top five natural supplements that have been shown to boost female fertility.
#1 Folic Acid/Folate
The synthetic more absorbable form of folate3, folic acid is an essential antioxidant for female fertility and reproductive health. Healthcare experts recommend it for all women of reproductive age due to its benefits for menstruation, conception, and early pregnancy. Supplementation may help to stabilize and lengthen menstrual cycles4, reducing risks for endometriosis, in which abnormal uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. Besides lowering premature birth and weight risks, folic acid may also prevent birth defects of the developing brain and spinal cord5 by up to 60%.
#2 Vitamin C
Vitamin C6, or L-ascorbic acid, may support female fertility, especially with other antioxidants, like vitamin E. These include improved egg health and quality, higher fertilization rates, higher-quality embryos, and improved ovarian function. Essential for collagen production, vitamin C promotes the development of various structures, including teeth, bones, cartilage, skin, and blood vessels. It’s also vital for mothers’ immunity support7 and may improve the ability to absorb iron8.
#3 Vitamin D
Vitamin D39 is an essential antioxidant that may improve the function of ovarian follicles10, small fluid-filled sacs containing immature eggs. Vitamin D3 may also assist in the development of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Vitamin D deficiencies have been shown to be a contributing factor to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)11, a primary cause of female infertility. Vital for pregnant women and babies12, vitamin D may benefit lactation, immunity, fetal bone health, and live birth rates. Higher levels may support women undergoing fertility treatments, like in vitro fertilization (IVF)13, boosting the development of good-quality embryos14 and improving implantation.
#4 CoQ10
CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a natural antioxidant found in most cells, is necessary for energy production15, especially for eggs, which require very high levels to achieve early cell division. As an antioxidant, CoQ10 may promote higher fertilization rates16, increase embryo quality, and improve ovarian follicles. CoQ10 may also enhance IVF success rates17, leading to better-quality embryos and higher live-birth rates.
#5 Inositol Blend
Among the various forms of inositol, a natural sugar, are the antioxidant myo-inositol, which converts to D-chiro-inositol. It supports cellular health and may contribute to female hormonal balance by promoting insulin sensitivity. While insulin18 is important, if cells cannot respond properly to it, hormonal function, including ovulation, can be affected, which can contribute to PCOS. Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol regulate insulin and blood glucose, improving ovulation and pregnancy rates19 in PCOS patients. Myo-inositol alone may improve egg and embryo quality20. When combined with folic acid, myo-inositol may increase fertilization and pregnancy rates21 while undergoing fertility treatments.
Find Your Ideal Female Fertility Supplement
As part of our commitment to providing patients throughout the Tampa Bay area and beyond with exceptional, personalized fertility care, The Reproductive Medicine Group has partnered with NutraBloom®. Backed by solid scientific evidence and the latest research, NutraBloom supplements were created and developed by fertility experts possessing over 80 years of combined clinical experience. With many products available to support female fertility, NutraBloom is a trusted source for supplements designed with your reproductive health in mind. You can find these nutrients in the following products.
- Ovarian Support Kit
- PCOS Conception Kit
- PCOS Support Kit
- Couple’s Conception Kit
- Couple’s Conception + PCOS Kit
- Vitamin C Gummies
- Vitamin D3
- CoQ10 Dietary Supplement
- Inositol Blend (for PCOS)
For more information, please visit NutraBloom’s website.
References:
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidant-supplements-what-you-need-to-know
- https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infertility/conditioninfo/common
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/folic-acid/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4567938/
- https://www.verywellfamily.com/folic-acid-for-female-and-male-fertility-1959878
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-c/
- https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/boost-immunity/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448204/
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/vitamin-d3-5082500
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9502977/#
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8351864/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6210343/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8969598/
- https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2014/vitamin-d-deficiency-may-reduce-pregnancy-rate-in-women-undergoing-ivf
- https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/coenzyme-Q10
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29587861/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5427661/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22601-insulin
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33892722/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5350329/#
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29498933/