Vitamins & Nutritional Supplements for Female Infertility

In a preliminary study of women with infertility and mild endometriosis, supplementation with propolis (500 mg twice a day for six months) was associated with a pregnancy rate of 60%, compared with a rate of 20% in the placebo group (a statistically significant difference). Whether propolis would be beneficial for infertile women who do not have endometriosis is not known.

In some women, infertility is due to a hormonal abnormality known as luteal phase defect. In this condition, the uterine lining does not develop and mature properly, presumably because of a deficiency of the hormone progesterone. In a study of infertile women with luteal phase defect, supplementation with 750 mg of vitamin C per day for up to six months resulted in a pregnancy rate of 25%, compared with a rate of 11% in an untreated control group, a statistically significant difference.

A double-blind trial found that taking a multivitamin-mineral supplement increased female fertility.

Vitamin E deficiency in animals leads to infertility. In a preliminary human trial, infertile couples given vitamin E (200 IU per day for the female and 100 IU per day for the male) showed a significant increase in fertility.

In preliminary research, even a subtle deficiency of iron has been tentatively linked to infertility. Women who are infertile should consult a doctor to rule out the possibility of iron deficiency.

Some previously infertile women have become pregnant after supplementing with PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), 100 mg four times per day. PABA is believed to increase the ability of estrogen to facilitate fertility...