Fertility: the 6 best supplements for helping you to conceive

What do we mean by ‘fertility’?

A couple is said to be fertile when they succeed in conceiving within a year when having regular, unprotected sex (several times a week). Fertility depends on numerous factors: the number and vigour of sperm, egg production, the age of the couple, alcohol consumption, smoking, weight ...

A few techniques for increasing your fertility

Men are generally fertile from puberty until their 60s (when their fertility starts to decline) whereas women can only become pregnant between puberty and menopause, with a fall in fertility from the age of 36.

To increase fertility, it helps to adopt some recommended measures: stop smoking and eat a healthy diet (both men and women), be aware of the different phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle so that you know when ovulation is taking place, etc. In terms of the sex itself, the missionary position is best (though don’t let it become boring!), and the woman should stay lying down afterwards and avoid douching.

You also have the option of ingesting certain natural substances in the form of dietary supplements to help support your fertility. In this article, we outline the respective benefits of the 7 best supplements for fertility.

Maca, sex and fertility

Maca (or Peruvian ginseng) is a tuber native to the Andes, grown for thousands of years for its many nutritional and medicinal properties. It is particularly rich in fibre, amino acids, vitamins, and macamides and macaenes.

When taken for several weeks or months, maca helps to maintain healthy sexuality and stimulate fertility by acting on germ cells in both sexes (1) (try the supplement Super Maca).

Shilajit supports reproductive health

Shilajit is a mineral-rich substance used for almost 3000 years in India’s Ayurvedic medicine. A complex blend of more than 80 minerals and proteins, it is predominantly found at high altitudes in the Himalayas. Amongst others, shilajit contains humic acid, humus, amino acids and fulvic acid.

Shilajit is a supplement rich in trace-elements that may help both men and women by supporting their reproductive health. Animal tests have shown its effect in promoting spermatogenesis and oogenesis (3-4). Choose, for example, Super Shilajit, a supplement with a high content of active ingredients.

Zinc, a mineral crucial for fertility

Zinc is a trace-element essential for health (growth, the immune system, reproductive function, etc.) which is primarily found at trace levels in muscles and bones, but also in the prostate and in sperm. Zinc is known to support normal fertility and reproduction (5).

Zinc is found in food (oysters, liver, meat, nuts, etc) but you can also increase your intake by taking zinc supplements.

Ashwagandha and reproduction

Ashwagandha is one of traditional Indian medicine’s major adaptogen plants. The root of an Indian shrub, it is rich in active ingredients (alkaloids, saponins, steroidal lactones...) and has been used for thousands of years.

When dried and ground into a powder, ashwagandha makes an effective fertility supplement. As well as promoting relaxation, and healthy cardiovascular and respiratory function, this plant is good for those wanting a baby as it helps support reproductive function by targeting spermatogenesis and female sexual behaviour (6-7).

Saffron: menstruation and fertility

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a well-known spice used in cooking.

But did you know it is also an adaptogen plant recognised in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for its pro-sexuality properties? Saffron helps to normalise the process of menstruation and fertility (8).

Vitamins and trace-elements for prospective expectant mothers

As well as taking a supplement to boost fertility, women trying to get pregnant may also wish to take more traditional supplements to help ‘prepare the ground’ for the foetus.

They may therefore find it helpful to supplement with:

• vitamin B9, which supports maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. Low folate levels in an expectant mother increases the risk of neural tube defects in the developing foetus (9);
• vitamin D, which supports normal calcium absorption (important for optimal mineralisation of the foetus’ skeleton) (10) ;
• iron, which supports normal blood cell formation in the mother, important for delivering oxygen to the foetus (11) (but always seek medical advice before starting to take supplements if you’re trying to conceive).

Taking the right supplement can thus help improve male and female fertility, in order to facilitate and accelerate conception Don’t hesitate, too, to seek advice from your doctor.