There are many supplements that are marketed as improving fertility, and it can be overwhelming to try to find the right ones for you. Importantly, supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that medications are, and so they may not have been thoroughly tested to prove that they are effective or safe.
Prenatal vitamins are one of the most important supplements you can take to ensure that you and your baby stay healthy once you become pregnant, and we recommend starting a prenatal at least 3 months before conceiving. See "Lifestyle and Nutrition" for additional details.
Below are some common supplements that you may see on the market:
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
This is a hormone that is naturally produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands. Some studies have found that DHEA supplementation may improve pregnancy rates specifically among patients with low ovarian reserve, but many of these studies are small and the findings not definitive. Furthermore, this mostly applies to patients undergoing IVF and may not necessarily apply to other patients. If you have low ovarian reserve, you may discuss with your Penn Fertility Care doctor whether DHEA may be helpful for you.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 is an antioxidant that helps to protect against oxidative stress, which occurs from our bodies interacting with the environment. Similar to DHEA, CoQ10 has mostly been studied in patients with low ovarian reserve undergoing IVF. Again, if you are wondering if you may benefit from CoQ10, your Penn Fertility Care doctor can discuss this option with you.
Evening primrose oil (EPO)
EPO contains omega-6 and -3 fatty acids, and it is said that it decreases inflammation and improves cervical mucus as well as regulates ovulation. However, there are no high-quality studies that demonstrate improved pregnancy rates, and we generally do not recommend patients take EPO.
Inositol
Inositol is most commonly used in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and some say that is regulates menstruation and improves pregnancy rates. While there are several small studies that suggest inositol may decrease irregular menses in patients with PCOS, it is unclear if that actually translates to more pregnancies. Among patients with PCOS undergoing IVF, studies do not demonstrate a benefit in pregnancy rates from inositol.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important hormone for many processes including bone health and immune response, and some patients can be vitamin D insufficient or deficient. In patients whose blood levels of vitamin D are low, there may a lower pregnancy rate and increased risk of miscarriage according to some studies. However, it is unclear if vitamin D supplementation actually improves the chances of live birth, and its role for patients who are not actually deficient in vitamin D is even less clear.
There are many more supplements on the market — if you have questions about other specific supplements for your particular circumstances, please feel free to ask!