Whether you and your partner have just decided to try to get pregnant or you've been attempting to conceive for a while, the process of trying to have a baby can be exciting and frustrating. Improving your chances of success can take over your life if you see a positive pregnancy test right away. Your physician may recommend medications to boost your fertility, but there are also vitamins and herbs you can take that may help. Consult your physician before taking any supplements or herbs.
Vitamin C
Incorporate vitamin C in your diet for both you and your partner. It contributes toward the quality of cervical mucus in women, reports The Baby Hopes website. Cervical mucus plays a vital role in encouraging sperm to survive long enough in the female body to fertilize an egg. Taking vitamin C may influence the amount of water cervical mucus can hold, encouraging quality mucus production. A vitamin C deficiency may also negatively impact sperm quality. Research published in the Fall 2006 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Food" notes that study participants who took 1,000 mg of vitamin C each day for a period of two months showed improvements in sperm motility, sperm count and sperm structure. More research is needed to determine vitamin C's role in conception as related to sperm quality. The daily recommended intake of vitamin C for adults ranges from 75 to 90 mg, according to Medline Plus, although you should avoid ingesting more than 2,000 mg in a single day -- high doses of vitamin C can cause stomach problems and diarrhea.
Ginseng
A traditional Chinese herbal remedy for a wide range of maladies, ginseng may help both your and your partner improve your chances of pregnancy. You may find it particularly helpful to help improve sperm motility problems. Evidence in the September 2010 edition of "The Italian Journal of Urology and Nephrology" reports that treatment with ginseng in combination with other supplements may increase sperm's ability to move. This herb may also positively impact low sperm count, which the Baby Hopes website lists as the leading cause of infertility. A study published in the December 2005 issue of "Sexuality and Disability" confirms this finding. In addition, ginseng may also prove helpful if you're experiencing erectile dysfunction; a dose of 900 mg three times per day can be taken for this purpose, according to Medline Plus. Women taking ginseng may experience improved uterus function. The Herbs2000 website reports that taking ginseng promotes a healthy uterus, which may help encourage conception.
Vitamin E
The chances of you and your partner getting pregnant can improve by taking adequate levels of vitamin E. This nutrient impacts the quality of sperm as noted in the March-April 2003 issue of "Archives of Andrology." Research in this journal notes that study participants taking 400 mg of vitamin E in combination with 225 mcg of selenium displayed improvements to sperm motility. Additionally, research published in the February 2009 issue of the "Journal of the Indian Medical Association" correlates low sperm count to free radical damage, something vitamin E -- as an antioxidant -- can prevent, according to Medline Plus. Michael A. Werner, MD, a private practice urologist, notes that adding vitamin E may also fight off some types of erectile problems like Peyronies Disease, a condition that results in a severely curved penis. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that taking 400 IU of vitamin E every day may prevent or treat sexual dysfunction, including a depressed sex drive caused by hormonal imbalances. The Vitamin and Supplement Guide website notes that vitamin E can prove beneficial for both men and women when it comes to sex drive. Men should take vitamin E for at least a week, and women should take vitamin E for a period of three weeks to experience noticeable improvements to their sexual function and desire.
Chasteberry
Chasteberry, a traditional folk remedy for fertility problems, can influence chances of conception in women. Taking chasteberry supplements or drinking chasteberry tea can stimulate the pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone, which encourages ovulation as well as helps normalize the balance of the hormone progesterone, according to the iParenting website. When your body experiences an imbalance of progesterone, it can contribute toward infertility. Evidence published in the April 2004 issue of the "Journal of Reproductive Medicine" indicates that study participants taking fertility supplements with chasteberry increased their chances of conceiving a child. More research is needed to determine chasteberry's true role in fertility for women. The Trying to Conceive website notes that men should avoid this herbal treatment as it can lower testosterone in the body, an action that can result in fertility problems.
References
- PubMed: Improvement in human semen quality after oral supplementation of vitamin C
- PubMed: Treatment with carnitine, acetyl carnitine, l-arginine and ginseng improves sperm motility and sexual health in men with asthenopermia
- PubMed: Influence of oxidants and anti-oxidants on semen parameters in infertile males
- Journal of Andrology: Prevention of Oxidative Stress Injury to Sperm
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Sexual Dysfunction
- SpringLink: In Vitro Effect of Ginseng Extract on Sperm Count
