Conclusive scientific data is still limited, but some doctors and fertility specialists believe certain herbs and supplements may help increase fertility in both men and women. Talk to your doctor before you begin taking any herbs or supplements, as some of them may actually hamper your attempts to conceive.
For men, supplements that have been shown to increase sperm count or quality include:
- Asian ginseng
- Vitamin B-12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
For women, having adequate levels of all vitamins and minerals is important to a properly functioning reproductive system, but it’s also important that women take a multi vitamin with 400 to 800 mg of added folic acid, or a folic acid supplement, prior to trying to conceive and for at least one month once pregnant. Folic acid, also called folate, is a B vitamin that reduces the risk of certain birth defects which develop in the very beginning stages of pregnancy.