Fertility supplements: everything you need to know

Summary

• Opinions and considerations on fertility supplements
• Types of fertility supplements
  • – Acetyl L-carnitine
  • – Vitamin E
  • – Folic acid
  • – Coenzyme Q10
  • – C vitamin
• Fertility supplements: they work
• Any risks
• What to ask your doctor

Opinions and Considerations on Fertility Supplements Infertility
can be difficult to cure:
modern medical techniques are quite effective at times,
but they can be very expensive and success rates are
variable. As an alternative to drugs or surgery, there are fertility supplements
that can increase or improve it, for both men and women.
While
there are numerous claims on the benefits of such supplements,
it is essential to remember that there are few studies on them. Types of fertility supplements
Common types of
fertility
supplements
include:– Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl
L-carnitine (ALC) is an antioxidant. In a 2018 analysis,
researchers attempted to determine the effect of ALC on
problems affecting female fertility, such as polycystic
ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and amenorrhea, or
dyspareunia. The study found that ALC has been shown to be committed to
treating female fertility problems .
Another
recent study examined the effects of
antioxidants, including ALC, on spermatozoa showed
the increase in sperm motility. – VitaminE
According to
a 2018 study, vitamin E can increase
sperm motility
due to its antioxidant effects, as well as helping to improve
male fertility .
However,
there are still few studies regarding the potential benefits of
vitamin E supplementation for the female counterpart. – Folic Acid
According
to researchers, folic acid may be effective
in helping women
to achieve and maintain pregnancy. However, the authors
found that more studies were needed to determine
the effectiveness of folic acid and other nutrients as treatments
for female fertility. For
men , a
2017 review found that a combination
of folic acid and zinc
helps improve sperm quality. – Coenzyme Q10 Coenzyme Q10 (
COQ10
) helps generate energy in human cells.
Recent studies on the ability of this enzyme to improve
fertility
have been very positive.
A
2018 study showed that COQ10 was able to improve the
response of the ovaries to stimulation in women undergoing
in vitro fertilization (IVF). The pregnancy rate was higher
in women using CoQ10 compared to the control group, but
the difference was not statistically significant. – Vitamin C
Vitamin
C is a valid supplement
for fertility especially
for men. In a 2016 study it was found that obese men
who consumed vitamin C had higher
sperm concentration and motility . Fertility Supplements: They Work
While
some researchers argue that taking
fertility supplements
may offer benefits, others say they have little or no
effect.
Some
Studies support the excessive use of antioxidant therapy may
damage male fertility. The association of
supplements with
lifestyle changes ,
such as losing weight, limiting alcohol use and quitting smoking,
increases the chances of conception.
However
, supplements alone may not be enough to
guarantee pregnancy. Possible Risks
Some
fertility supplements
may interact with the intake of other medications. For example,
folic acid can interact with some medications for
seizures or parasitic infections while taking
Vitamin E along with certain blood thinners,
weight loss medications and bile acid sequestering resins can cause
adverse effects.
High
doses of supplements can cause side effects, including
:

What to ask your doctor
Before taking fertility supplements , you should consult your doctor or request a specific andrological examination regarding the risks and benefits. The doctor will need to know an individual’s medical history and pre-existing conditions.
Some
supplements have been shown
to improve fertility
especially when in conjunction with lifestyle improvements,
such as losing weight, quitting smoking and abstaining from alcohol,
avoiding drugs.