11 Best Fertility Supplements, According to a Dietitian

Share on Pinterest

As anyone who has struggled to conceive knows, infertility can be a hard journey with various — and sometimes overwhelming — treatment possibilities.

But one factor that may boost your baby-making chances can be relatively simple and noninvasive: your diet.

In fact, many micronutrients you get through food or supplements have been shown to play a key role in fertility.

This article will take a look at the relationship between nutrition and fertility, along with 11 supplements that may be beneficial.

• Best overall fertility supplement for women: EU Natural CONCEPTION Female Fertility Prenatal
• Best overall fertility supplement for men: FullWell Vitality + Virility
• Best vegan fertility supplement: Natalist Prenatal Daily Packs
• Best CoQ10 supplement for fertility: Garden of Life Raw CoQ10
• Best fertility supplement subscription: Ritual Prenatal
• Best easy-to-swallow fertility supplement for men: Nature’s Craft Fertility Booster
• Best fertility supplement for sensitive stomachs: Premama Prenatal Vitamin
• Best budget-friendly fertility supplement: Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA
• Best gummy fertility supplement: Smarty Pants Prenatal Formula
• Best vitamin D supplement for fertility: Needed Prenatal Vitamin D
• Best omega-3 supplement for fertility: Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA

You might assume that experts have the role of vitamins in fertility all figured out by now. However, that’s not quite the case.

Because fertility is a complex equation and each person’s body is different, the science around micronutrients and conception is still in its infancy.

That said, some promising studies have begun to shed light on the role of vitamins in getting and staying pregnant.

Vitamins play important roles in women’s reproductive health. They’re essential for many functions, including (1, 2, 3, 4):

• menstruation and ovulation
• thyroid function
• energy production
• immune function
• egg quality and maturation

For this reason, adequate vitamin and mineral intake is critical when trying to create the right environment for a healthy pregnancy.

Additionally, some nutrients may even reduce symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common underlying cause of infertility (5).

In men, studies have shown that certain supplements may increase sperm count and motility, helping the little swimmers reach their target (6).

However, keep in mind that more research is needed and these supplements should be paired with a nutritious, well-rounded diet and a healthy lifestyle for best results.

The products included in this article were selected based on the following criteria:

• Ingredients. We looked for supplements that contain high quality ingredients and are free of unnecessary additives, fillers, and dyes.
• Effectiveness. All supplements include ingredients or nutrients that have been shown to support fertility or reproductive health.
• Third-party testing. All the products included in this article have been tested by an independent lab to ensure safety and quality.

Additionally, every brand and product on our list has been vetted to ensure that it aligns with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. Each product in this article:

• adheres to allowable health claims and labeling requirements, per Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations
• is manufactured in facilities that adhere to current good manufacturing practices established by the FDA
• is produced by a medically credible company that follows ethical, legal, and industry best standards
• is made by a company that provides objective measures of trust, such as having its supplements validated by third-party labs

Best overall fertility supplement for women

EU Natural CONCEPTION Female Fertility Prenatal

• Price: $$
• Dosage: 1 capsule twice per day
• Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, iron, iodine, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium, myo-inositol, chaste tree berry extract, ashwagandha extract, shatavari root extract, stinging needle root extract, para-aminobenzoic acid, choline, BioPerine, and vitamins D, B6, and B12

This supplement features a blend of plant-based ingredients and is specifically formulated to balance hormone levels and support a healthy pregnancy.

In addition to key nutrients like vitamin D, iron, and vitamin B12, this product contains ingredients such as myo-inositol, which may be beneficial for improving fertility (7).

What’s more, CONCEPTION from EU Natural is vegetarian, gluten-free, easy to swallow, and free of fillers and artificial ingredients.

It has been tested by an independent lab and is produced in a facility that is third-party certified.

Additionally, EU Natural offers a fertility supplement for men to improve sperm quality and motility, which can be purchased separately online.

While the brand states that this supplement can be used as a prenatal, we recommend switching to a more comprehensive prenatal supplement once you become pregnant.

Best overall fertility supplement for men

FullWell Vitality + Virility

• Price: $$$$
• Dosage: 4 capsules twice per day
• Active ingredients: niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, choline, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, grape seed extract, organic turmeric powder, quercetin, lycopene, and vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B6, and B12

Made with a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support sperm quality and reproductive health, this supplement is a great option for men who are trying to conceive.

In fact, it contains several ingredients that may be particularly beneficial for male fertility, including grape seed extract, which has been shown to protect sperm cells from DNA damage in some animal studies (8).

All supplements from FullWell are third-party tested for heavy metals and harmful contaminants. Upon request, the company will provide a certificate of analysis (COA), which is a document that includes detailed testing results for each supplement.

FullWell also offers a prenatal multivitamin on its website to support fertility for women.

Best vegan fertility supplement

Natalist Prenatal Daily Packs

• Price: $$$$
• Dosage: 1 packet (5 capsules) per day
• Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, choline, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, menaquinone, DHA omega-3, and vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, and B12

With its daily packs of prenatal vitamins, Natalist makes it easier than ever to get the nutrients you need to support a healthy pregnancy.

Each pack contains five capsules, which provide a blend of nutrients such as B vitamins, zinc, selenium, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid.

It also provides 27% of the recommended amount of choline, a nutrient that plays a key role in fetal development and reproductive health (9).

All Natalist supplements are vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and third-party tested.

According to its website, Natalist is the first and only company that has a net-zero plastic footprint, meaning it offsets all plastic in its products by removing plastic pollution from the environment.

In addition to prenatal supplements specifically for women, the company offers convenient prenatal vitamin packs for men.

Best CoQ10 supplement for fertility

Garden of Life Raw CoQ10

• Price: $$
• Dosage: 1 capsule per day
• Active ingredients: raw CoQ10 and cold-pressed chia seed oil

Although your body produces CoQ10 naturally, some people choose to supplement with this antioxidant when trying to conceive, as it has been shown to improve ovarian response and embryo quality in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) (10).

It may also help enhance sperm quality in men (11, 12).

This supplement from Garden of Life is a great CoQ10 option. It contains 200 mg of CoQ10 per serving, along with a blend of omega fatty acids sourced from cold-pressed chia seed oil to increase absorption (13).

Plus, it’s free of fillers and binders and is non-GMO, kosher, gluten-free, and certified vegan.

According to the company’s website, Garden of Life products are third-party tested, though the company does not disclose the name of the testing organization.

Best fertility supplement subscription

Ritual Prenatal Multivitamin

• Price: $$$
• Dosage: 2 capsules per day
• Active ingredients: folate, biotin, choline, iron, iodine, magnesium, boron, DHA omega-3, vitamin K2, and vitamins D, E, and B12

Ritual is a subscription-based service that offers a range of supplements, including prenatal multivitamins for women.

The company’s Prenatal Multivitamin contains 12 essential nutrients for before and during pregnancy, including DHA, vitamin B12, folate, and choline.

It also includes a citrus tab to improve the flavor and features a delayed-release capsule design, which dissolves in the small intestine to optimize absorption (14).

Additionally, Ritual provides detailed information on the sourcing of each ingredient in its supplements and tests all products at an independent lab.

Best easy-to-swallow fertility supplement for men

Nature’s Craft Fertility Booster

• Price: $$
• Dosage: 3 capsules per day
• Active ingredients: niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, iodine, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium, d-aspartic acid, l-arginine, maca root, CoQ10, longjack root, panax ginseng root, and vitamins C, D, E, B6, and B12

According to reviewers, Nature’s Craft Fertility Booster capsules are easy to swallow and don’t have an unpleasant aftertaste.

This budget-friendly supplement contains an array of essential nutrients to support men’s fertility, including vitamin D, zinc, and folate.

Each serving also provides 250 mg of maca root, an herb that has been shown to improve several measures of semen quality (15).

Nature’s Craft says its products are thoroughly tested for pesticides and heavy metals by a third-party lab to verify safety.

The company also offers a supplement designed to improve fertility for women, which can be purchased separately or as a bundle.

Best fertility supplement for sensitive stomachs

Premama Prenatal Vitamin

• Price: $$$
• Dosage: 1 capsule per day
• Active ingredients: iron, folate, riboflavin, biotin, iodine, choline, omega-3 blend, and vitamins B12 and B6

This once-daily prenatal vitamin from Premama is a great option for those with a sensitive stomach, as it contains a peppermint flavor to neutralize nausea and features delayed-release capsules to prevent digestive issues.

It also provides a range of important nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy in a single capsule, including DHA, iron, vitamin B12, and folate.

Premama supplements are third-party tested and tested in-house multiple times throughout the manufacturing process, though the brand doesn’t disclose the name of the testing organization on its website.

This product is free of additives and is vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and non-GMO.

Best budget-friendly fertility supplement

Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA

• Price: $
• Dosage: 1 softgel per day
• Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, EPA omega-3, DHA omega-3, and vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B6, and B12

Nature Made is a reputable company known for producing high quality, cost-effective supplements, including this prenatal supplement.

Each softgel contains a variety of nutrients needed to support fetal development and maternal health, including folic acid, iron, zinc, DHA, and vitamin D.

This product is certified by United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a third-party organization that tests supplements for purity and strength.

Additionally, it’s gluten-free and is made without any artificial flavors or dyes.

Best gummy fertility supplement

SmartyPants Prenatal Formula

• Price: $$
• Dosage: 4 gummies per day
• Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, choline, iodine, zinc, selenium, fish oil, inositol, and vitamins A, C, D, E, K1, K2, B6, and B12

If you have a hard time taking pills or swallowing softgels, these prenatal gummies from SmartyPants may be a good option.

They contain 16 essential nutrients needed for fertility and pregnancy, including omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and vitamin D.

These gummies are third-party tested and free of synthetic flavors, dyes, and preservatives.

Plus, they’re free of major allergens, including gluten, milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, and tree nuts.

Best vitamin D supplement for fertility

Needed Prenatal Vitamin D

• Price: $
• Dosage: 1 capsule up to 5 times per day
• Active ingredients: vitamin D and vitamin K2

This vitamin D supplement from Needed is specifically designed for people who are trying to conceive, are pregnant, or are nursing.

It also contains vitamin K2, a form of vitamin K that works with vitamin D to support bone and heart health (16).

Vitamin D is a nutrient that is essential for fertility, with some studies showing that low levels could be linked to a higher risk of infertility in both men and women (17, 18).

Needed Prenatal Vitamin D is third-party tested, vegetarian-friendly, and free of major allergens.

It’s also non-GMO and free of artificial fillers, dyes, flavors, and preservatives.

Best omega-3 supplement for fertility

Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA

• Price: $$
• Dosage: 2 softgels per day
• Active ingredients: vitamin D and omega-3s

Some research suggests that getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in your diet through foods or supplements could improve female fertility and enhance sperm quality (19, 20, 21).

This supplement from Nordic Naturals makes it easy to meet your needs, with 830 mg of omega-3 fatty acids in each serving, along with a good amount of vitamin D.

These softgels are also third-party tested, non-GMO, and certified sustainable.

They are available in both unflavored and strawberry-flavored varieties.

It’s important to consider several factors when deciding which fertility supplement is right for you, such as the types of nutrients included, the supplement form, any special dietary needs, the price, and quality testing.

Nutrients to look for

There are several nutrients you should look for when shopping for fertility supplements.

In fact, many nutrients have been shown to support certain aspects of fertility and reproductive health, including:

• L-carnitine. This amino acid has been shown to slow age-related changes in the female reproductive system and may help improve symptoms of endometriosis and PCOS. It may also help boost sperm motility in men (22, 23).
• Vitamin B12. One 2015 study found that having higher blood levels of vitamin B12 could enhance fertility in women undergoing infertility treatment. Additionally, some research indicates that vitamin B12 can improve sperm quality (24, 25).
• Folic acid. Folic acid supplementation is often recommended for women before getting pregnant. In addition to promoting fertility, supplementing with folic acid may help protect against neural tube irregularities in a developing fetus (1).
• Vitamin C. According to one research review, taking vitamin C with vitamin E may help improve sperm quality and motility (26).
• Vitamin D. Some research has found that vitamin D deficiency could be associated with infertility in both men and women. Therefore, if you have low levels of vitamin D, taking a supplement may be beneficial (17, 18).
• CoQ10. Although your body produces this antioxidant, one study found that taking CoQ10 supplements could improve ovarian response in women undergoing IVF. Plus, it may improve sperm concentration and motility in men (10, 11, 12).
• Iron. One older study found that increased iron intake was associated with a lower risk of ovulatory infertility. However, while supplementation may be beneficial if you are deficient in iron, it isn’t typically necessary if you get enough iron in your diet (27).
• Zinc. A 2019 review found that lower blood levels of zinc were linked to a longer time trying to conceive in women. Zinc is also necessary for the formation of sperm, though studies have turned up mixed results on its effects on male fertility (28, 29, 30).
• Selenium. Research suggests a selenium deficiency may be a factor in miscarriage and semen quality. Selenium may also support the health of follicular fluid around women’s eggs and may improve semen quality when taken with vitamin E (28, 31, 32).
• Vitamin E. This nutrient has antioxidant properties that may promote sperm function in men and support general reproductive health in women, but more research is needed to determine its effectiveness (33, 34).
• Omega-3 fatty acids. Studies show that this heart-healthy fat could improve semen quality and sperm motility in men. One study also found that women taking omega-3 supplements were more likely to conceive (19, 20, 21).

Keep in mind that you can also get many of these nutrients from food and that supplementation may not be necessary if you follow a balanced and nutritious diet.

Additional considerations

In addition to checking for certain nutrients in your supplement, there are a few other factors to consider, including:

• Type. Consider whether you’re OK swallowing pills or would prefer a gummy supplement. Certain products are designed to be easier to swallow or gentler on the stomach.
• Dietary needs. If you have any specific allergies or dietary restrictions, be sure to check the ingredient label carefully or look for supplements that are certified vegan, hypoallergenic, or gluten-free, depending on your needs.
• Price. You can compare prices and look for a product that fits your budget. Some companies may offer subscriptions or bundles at a discounted rate, which can help reduce the total cost.
• Testing. When possible, look for supplements that have undergone third-party testing, as this can ensure supplement safety, strength, and purity.

If you’re under 35 and have been trying to conceive for 1 year or more without success, talking with a fertility specialist may be beneficial (35).

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, evaluation and treatment from a fertility specialist may also be recommended after 6 months of trying to conceive for women over 35 and even sooner for women over 40 (35).

You may also want to consider consulting a fertility specialist if you or your partner (36, 37):

• has had three or more miscarriages
• has difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
• has irregular periods, a heavy period, or no periods
• has a history of sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea

For more information on when to see a fertility specialist and what to expect during your visit, check out this article.

When you’re dealing with infertility, there are so many factors you can’t control — your genetics, your age, and an unpredictable cycle, just to name a few.

However, providing your body with the best possible nutrition — including vitamins and minerals — is one area where you can take the reins.

You can work with a healthcare professional to choose the right balance of vitamins to boost your chances of a healthy pregnancy.