Everything you need to conceive!

Getting ready to conceive? The easiest and least invasive way to improve your chances are with female fertility supplements.

A major fertility factor is diet, specifically micronutrients (like vitamins and minerals). The best fertility supplements for women contain essential vitamins and nutrients you might be struggling to get elsewhere in your diet.

The market for both male and female fertility supplements is constantly expanding. Below is your complete guide to the best fertility supplements and vitamins for women of 2022. Here, we address common causes of female infertility, the best supplements to boost fertility in women, and answer questions.

What causes female infertility?

Infertility often feels like a woman’s problem. However, female factor infertility only makes up one-third of infertility cases. So, don’t be alarmed if it takes a bit of time to get pregnant. Before you turn 35, it’s totally normal for it to take at least a year to conceive.

If you think female infertility is at play, it could be down to one or more of the factors below.

Ovulation disorders

Inconsistent ovulation usually indicates an ovulation disorder, such as one of the following:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is the most common cause of female factor infertility, estimated to affect as many as 5 million Americans. PCOS causes a hormonal imbalance, which affects ovulation, and is associated with insulin resistance, obesity, excess hair growth, and acne.

Hypothalamic dysfunction
This occurs when the hormones responsible for ovulation are disrupted by things such as stress or body weight.

Primary ovarian insufficiency
This occurs when underlying factors, such as genetics or chemotherapy, cause the premature loss of eggs in women under 40.

Tubal infertility
Tubal infertility occurs with damaged or blocked fallopian tubes. This can result from pelvic inflammatory disease, STI-related infections to the uterus and/or fallopian tubes, or any previous surgeries in the area.

Endometriosis
This is a painful condition in which endometrial tissue, which usually develops inside the uterus, develops outside instead. This tissue will eventually irritate surrounding organs, forming scar tissue and adhesions that can force pelvic organs and fibrous tissues to stick together.

Uterine or cervical issues
There are several problems that could arise in the uterus or cervix, leading to infertility or miscarriage. They include benign polyps or tumors that could block the fallopian tubes, having an unusually shaped uterus, a narrow cervix, or issues with cervical mucus preventing sperm from getting to the uterus.

What are the signs of female infertility?

Signs and symptoms vary depending on the issue at play. The first red flag is an inconsistent cycle, such as missing or unpredictable periods. Seek a doctor if you’re under 35 and it’s taken longer than a year to conceive, or six months if you’re 35 to 40. After 40, you should talk to your doctor right away about methods or female fertility supplements.

What are the risk factors?

Wondering if you’re at risk for infertility? Here are factors that could affect your ability to conceive:

Age
As women age, the quality and quantity of their eggs decrease, making it more difficult to conceive. You can learn more about the best fertility supplements for women of advanced age here[1] .

Weight
Being over- or underweight can negatively affect ovulation. Having a healthy BMI can make it easier to conceive.

Sexual history
Many sexually transmitted infections have the potential to damage your fallopian tubes. Unprotected sex with multiple partners increases your likelihood of experiencing infertility.

Lifestyle
Certain habits, like smoking or excess alcohol consumption, will negatively affect fertility. Give up smoking and alcohol before trying to conceive to improve your chances.

How to boost female fertility

Remember these four words: Healthy body, healthy baby. When the aforementioned conditions aren’t concerns, healthy lifestyle adjustments can give your fertility a big boost[2] . Diet is an especially big component.

Raise your hand if you find yourself relying on your daily multivitamin to do the work the McDonald’s drive-through can’t. You’re not alone. Most of us are too busy to keep track of whether we’re getting enough micronutrients—and chances are, we’re not. That’s where female fertility vitamins and supplements come into play.

What are fertility vitamins and supplements?

Fertility supplements for men and women come in all different forms, but they all do the same thing: increase vitamin and mineral intake to make a healthy environment for conception.

Vitamins and minerals—also called micronutrients—are critical to everyone’s overall health. For women, they’re essential to the proper functioning of their entire reproductive system. Ergo, the first step to conceiving should be taking female fertility supplements to ensure you’re getting enough micronutrients. Vitamins are a specific type of supplement.

What vitamins boost female fertility?

When looking for the best vitamins for women’s fertility, all of the following play a crucial role.

Folic acid or folate
Not only should you take folic acid (or Vitamin B9) during pregnancy, but it has benefits beforehand, too. Studies show that taking it while trying to conceive can increase fertility and improve IVF outcomes, too. Talk to your doctor about the recommended daily dosage before getting pregnant.

Vitamin D
Looking for fertility vitamins for men and women? Here’s one for both. In women, vitamin D stimulates ovarian function, and low levels of vitamin D have been linked to PCOS. If you’re struggling to get pregnant, consult your doctor about testing for vitamin D deficiency.

B-complex vitamins
Notice we’re talking about vitamins, plural—specifically, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 (mentioned above), and B12. Ensuring a higher intake of B vitamins can reduce your chances of tubal infertility. In combination with folic acid, extra B12 has also been known to improve IVF outcomes.

Vitamin E
Because vitamin E works to repair cells, it acts as an anti-aging antioxidant for the ovaries. That characteristic makes it an especially valuable fertility vitamin for women in their later reproductive years. It also supports egg quality—and the better the egg, the better likelihood for a healthy pregnancy.

Multivitamins
If you’d prefer to take a multivitamin, try to find one containing as many as the aforementioned vitamins as possible. As always, ask your doctor for recommendations.

Best female fertility supplements in 2022

Below, we’ve rounded up the best female fertility supplements to take alongside your daily vitamins.

DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a prohormone, meaning it’s a hormone that helps other hormones—like the ones needed to get pregnant.

Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) is another great fertility supplement for women having kids in their 30s and beyond. It contains powerful antioxidants that help slow age-related changes in the female reproductive system. It’s also thought to help reduce symptoms of PCOS, endometriosis, and irregular cycles.

Iron
Did you know that ovulatory infertility can result from an iron deficiency? Not to mention that at least 8% of Canadian women experience iron deficiency at some point in their lives. Iron supplements are especially essential for vegetarians and vegans, so get on it, stat.

Selenium
A 2019 study suggested selenium supplements boost female fertility by improving the health of the follicular fluid surrounding the eggs. So, adding this to your diet could be helpful if you’re trying to conceive.

Zinc
Another 2019 study found that women with lower levels of zinc could take longer to get pregnant. It’s considered a good fertility supplement for women for assisting with egg development and fertilization.

Inositol
Inositol is rated highly among the best fertility supplements for women. It helps regulate the menstrual cycle and stabilizes blood sugar, making it particularly beneficial to women with PCOS.

Magnesium
Magnesium is another highly-ranked female fertility supplement, thanks to its role in helping balance progesterone and estrogen levels. And since higher magnesium levels are shown to reduce stress and improve sleep, it’ll benefit you once the baby arrives, too.

Probiotics
You know the saying “trust your gut”? It might be because your gut health is crucial to your overall health. A strong immune system is super important if you’re trying to conceive, since pregnancy is a state of natural immunosuppression. Prep ahead by starting on a good probiotic before conceiving. (Your belly will thank you later.)

Best female fertility supplements: product recommendations

Premama Balance
Looking for natural supplements to increase female fertility? Premama’s Balance multivitamin drink mix contains everything you need to get your body baby-ready. It features key ingredients like chasteberry (for hormone balancing) and selenium, plus vitamins C and E, iodine, and magnesium.

Premama Fertility Support For Her
Our unflavoured drink mix is the #1-selling best female fertility supplement. With just two ingredients—inositol and folate—it’s an all-natural fertility booster that helps improve ovarian function and regulate your cycle. Pair with the Premama Prenatal Vitamin for best results.

Premama Prenatal Vitamin
Our Prenatal Vitamin is jam-packed with everything you need to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy. Plus, each easy-to-swallow pill is made with natural peppermint to combat nausea and make them easier to digest.

FAQs

Do fertility supplements for women really work?

Yes! That is, provided they actually contain fertility-boosting ingredients. This guide is a great place to start in terms of knowing what to look for in fertility supplements for women. Your doctor will also be able to make recommendations based on your individual needs.

What types of male fertility vitamins and supplements are there?

Like the Premama Fertility Support For Him? Because male-factor infertility makes up ⅓ of all infertility cases, there are plenty of fertility supplements for men and women. Again, he should talk to his doctor. He’ll also want to focus on micronutrients that promote sperm health, in addition to overall health.