Vitamins To Take When You’re Trying to Conceive

Clean eating and a balanced diet provide nutrients that contribute to a healthy pregnancy. As you’re trying to conceive, vitamins can supplement these nutrients. This helps account for deficiencies that can potentially cause fertility issues.

Research is still forming around the specific role of vitamins for fertility, but experts agree that incorporating vitamins into your routine is important when trying to conceive. Not sure where to start? These options should top your list.

Vitamins for Conception (For Men and Women)

Folic Acid

Your doctor and a fertility pharmacy will say that the number one vitamin to take for fertility should start before you conceive.Folic acid supports the embryo’s neural tube, which develops early in pregnancy. Starting this women’s vitamin at least one month prior to conception helps prevent birth defects.

Consider taking a vitamin with folate and not folic acid for fertility. This form is found naturally in foods and helps with proper absorption. Look for 5-methyltetrahydrofolate or 5-MTHF on the label.

Vitamin D

It’s estimated that 20-50% of people in the reproductive age range have a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is closely associated with the ability to conceive, so it’s an important one to add to your routine. Not only does vitamin D support cell growth, immune function, and regulates inflammation, it can also help prevent pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.

IVF success rates tend to be higher for couples with higher levels of vitamin D, making it a key vitamin for conception.

Coenzyme Q10

Fertility pharmacies consider Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) a must-have vitamin when you’re trying to conceive, especially when undergoing IVF. Two recent studies discovered that taking CoQ10 vitamins prior to conception increased egg quantity and quality. This contributed to more eggs being fertilized and a higher number of healthy embryos.

CoQ10 is an antioxidant that supports proper cell functioning and helps create energy. In addition to serving as a women’s vitamin, it’s an important one for men to take: CoQ10 may help improve sperm function, specifically sperm motility.

Iron

Iron isn’t usually considered an important women’s vitamin for conception, but most pregnant women will need an iron supplement. To meet the needs of both mom and baby, you’ll need to up your iron intake, especially during the second and third trimester.

Iron is a helpful vitamin for fertility since it supports healthy blood cell creation and function. Too much iron can cause constipation so work with a fertility pharmacy to dial in the right dosage for you.

Zinc

Many studies suggest that zinc is an important men’s vitamin for conception. This essential mineral enables male hormone health, including sperm development. Poor semen analysis results are usually associated with low levels of zinc. It’s also a helpful vitamin for women trying to conceive, since zinc supports proper cell function, immunity and cell division.

Other Vitamins to Consider

You may want to also include calcium, Omega 3 fatty acids, selenium and more. Be sure to consult with your doctor and fertility pharmacy when starting a new vitamin regimen before you conceive. Certain vitamins don’t mix well with prescription medications, and it is possible to overdose on some vitamins and minerals.

A Fertility Pharmacy Can Help

During this time, there are a lot of decisions to make. Having a trusted expert by your side can make a big difference. Whether you’re just starting on this journey or you’ve been here for awhile, Mandell’s Clinical Pharmacy is happy to help support you. Contact us to learn more!