PCOS Fertility Supplements

PCOS Fertility Supplements

Trying to conceive with PCOS (now PMOS) can come with a lot of questions, especially when it comes to supplements. Do you need a prenatal before you’re actually pregnant? Are there certain nutrients women with PMOS should look for? And can supplements actually support fertility with PMOS?

As a Registered Dietitian with specializing in PMOS and who has the condition myself, I want to help make this part feel a little less overwhelming. Supplements aren’t a magical fix for fertility, but the right ones can help fill nutritional gaps and support your body as you prepare for pregnancy.

This is exactly what we talked about in our episode of A Cyster & Her Mister with Dr. Mark Ratner! Below, I’m sharing what you need to know about prenatal vitamins, when to start taking them, what to look for on the label, and other PMOS fertility supplements worth discussing with your provider.

PCOS Fertility Supplements

When you’re preparing for pregnancy with PMOS, a prenatal vitamin is an important place to start. That said… it’s not the only supplement you may hear about. Nutrients and supplements like inositol, CoQ10, vitamin D, and omega-3s are also commonly discussed in the PMOS and fertility space.

Below, I’m breaking down what each option can and can’t do, so you can make informed choices for your own fertility journey:

Are Prenatal Vitamins Good For PCOS?

As most of us women with PMOS know, fertility can be a real challenge. Women with polycystic ovary disease (PCOS), now called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), often struggle with fertility and are left wondering how they can improve their chances of starting a family of their own.

Taking a prenatal vitamin can improve fertility in patients with PMOS by filling the nutritional gap. Basically, prenatal vitamins can help ensure your body is getting all the nutrition it needs to be in tip-top shape. And when you’re in tip top shape, chances of conceiving greatly increase.

Prenatal vitamins can also help women fight and ward-off common symptoms of PMOS during pregnancy. Think: reducing inflammation, hair loss, vitamin D deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, insulin sensitivity, and more.

When Should You Take Prenatal Vitamins?

Taking prenatal vitamins is not limited to just pregnancy; they can also be beneficial for women who are trying to conceive. In fact, women with PMOS symptoms may find prenatal vitamins helpful in managing their condition. Prenatal vitamins containing essential nutrients like folic acid and vitamin D3 can support reproductive health in individuals with PMOS.

The nutrients present in these vitamins can support hormone balance and reduce the severity of menstrual cramps, bloating, and mood swings.

Moreover, prenatal vitamins can play a role in managing insulin levels. Women with PMOS often experience insulin resistance, where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin. Certain nutrients like zinc, found in prenatal vitamins, have been shown to help improve insulin sensitivity. Incorporating zinc supplementation through prenatal vitamins can be beneficial for individuals with PMOS symptoms.

When considering prenatal vitamins, it is essential to examine the label and ensure they contain the necessary nutrients. Refer to the table of contents to confirm the presence of key vitamins such as folate, vitamin D3, and zinc. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate prenatal vitamin regimen based on individual needs and health conditions.

What To Look For In Prenatal Vitamins

Women with PMOS that wish to take a prenatal vitamin should look for some key ingredients in order to get the max benefits. At the very least, the prenatal vitamin you choose should have:

• Folate: At least 400 mcg of folic acid daily before pregnancy is recommended to help prevent neural tube defects. During pregnancy, the recommended dietary allowance increases to 600 mcg DFE per day.
• Iron: 27 mg per day during pregnancy to support increased blood volume and your baby’s development.
• Vitamin D3: 600 IU (15 mcg) is the recommended dietary allowance during pregnancy. Your individual needs may differ if bloodwork shows a deficiency.
• Choline: 450 mg per day during pregnancy. Many prenatal vitamins contain little or no choline, so always check the label!
• Iodine: 220 mcg per day during pregnancy. The American Thyroid Association recommends prenatal supplements contain 150 mcg per iodine, with the remainder coming from food.
• Vitamin B6: 1.9 mg per day during pregnancy.
• Thiamin: 1.4 mg per day during pregnancy. Thiamin helps your body convert food into energy and supports normal nervous system function.
• Vitamin B12: 2.6 mcg per day during pregnancy, with particular attention to B12 intake if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
• Zinc: 11 mg per day during pregnancy. Zinc supports immune function, cell growth, and healthy fetal development.
• Selenium: 60 mcg per day during pregnancy. Selenium supports thyroid function, immune health, and antioxidant activity.

Women with PMOS should also consider a prenatal vitamin or supplement that includes myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol. These chemicals can improve insulin resistance by supporting hormone levels. And in turn, this may help prevent pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes.

Best Prenatal Vitamins For PCOS

When it comes to improving ovulation and regulating the menstrual cycle, certain dietary supplements can be a game-changer. One thing to keep in mind is that those with PMOS may be magnesium deficient, which can impact androgen levels and menstrual cycle regularity. That’s why it’s important to choose a prenatal vitamin that includes magnesium (bonus points if it’s in the form of magnesium glycinate, which is easier to absorb). So, when searching for the best prenatal vitamin for PMOS, make sure to look for one that contains this important mineral, along with other key nutrients that can support reproductive health.

Here are some of the Fertility Supplements discussed in the episode:

1. ThereNatal Core

Pre-natal for women trying to conceive – 15% off PRC code 292660

All ThereNatal products are tested and certified under strict systematic review and meta-analysis. They are free from dyes, and certified gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian. ThereNatal Core is meant for women trying to conceive. According to ThereNatal, Core is a “preconception supplement that provides the optimized dose of nutrients for preconception and early pregnancy with higher vitamin D, lower iron, and methylated folate.”

2. ThereNatal OvaVite

Pre-natal for women over 35 trying to conceive – 15% off PRC code 292660

OvaVite is similar to Core, except that it’s geared more toward women over 35 who are trying to conceive. It’s specially designed to work on the egg, where all life begins. According to ThereNatal, “OvaVite contains highly bioavailable CoQ10, to support healthy egg quality in women in their mid-30s and beyond.”

3. ThereNatal One

Pre-natal for pregnant women – 15% off PRC code 292660

Finally, we have the ThereNatal One, which is for women who are already pregnant. This all in one vitamin contains the perfectly curated amount of essential vitamins and minerals to support a healthy pregnancy. ThereNatal states “ThereNatal One provides the optimized dose of nutrients for pregnancy including DHA, folate, iron, iodine, and vitamin D.”

Other PCOS Fertility Supplements

A prenatal vitamin helps cover important nutritional needs before and during pregnancy, but there are a few other supplements you may hear about when trying to conceive with PMOS. What you need ultimately depends on your diet, lab work, medications, and individual fertility journey. More isn’t always better, but here’s what’s worth bringing up to your provider:

Inositol

Inositol is one of my favorite supplements for women with PMOS because of its role in insulin signaling. Since insulin resistance is so common with PMOS and can interfere with ovulation, supporting healthy insulin sensitivity may also support more regular cycles and ovulatory function.

I typically recommend a 40:1 ratio of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol, which mirrors the ratio naturally found in the body. A commonly studied amount is 4 grams of myo-inositol with 100 mg of D-chiro-inositol per day, usually divide into two doses.

CoQ10

CoQ10 is an antioxidant that plays a role in cellular energy production. It’s often discussed during preconception because developing eggs requires a lot of energy. Research has also explored whether CoQ10 supplementation may support ovarian response and egg quality, particularly in certain fertility-treatment populations.

Common supplemental doses used in fertility research vary, so this is one I’d discuss with your fertility specialist rather than assuming more is better.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for overall health, and low vitamin D levels are common in women with PMOS. If bloodwork shows that you’re deficient, your healthcare provider can recommend an appropriate amount based on your levels.

Rather than taking a high dose blindly, I recommend having your vitamin D checked so you know whether you actually need additional supplementation beyond what’s already in your prenatal.

Omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, support overall health and become especially important during pregnancy. If you don’t regularly eat low-mercury fatty fish, you may want to discuss an omega-3 supplement with your healthcare provider.

When you’re already taking a prenatal, check its label before adding anything else. Some prenatals already contain DHA or other nutrients you’re considering, and we don’t want you accidentally bundling up!

When Should You Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins?

Ideally, start taking a prenatal vitamin at least three months before you begin trying to conceive. This gives you time to build up nutrient stores before pregnancy and makes sure you’re getting enough of key nutrients like folate during those very early weeks, often before you even know you’re pregnant!

Folate is especially important because the baby’s neural tube develops very early in pregnancy. The CDC specifically recommends getting 400 mcg of folic acid daily beginning at least one month before conception to help prevent neural tube defects.

Once you’re pregnant, your nutritional needs change, so keep taking a prenatal and review it with your OB-GYN or healthcare provider. They can help you determine whether you need additional nutrients based on your diet, bloodwork, and individual pregnancy needs.

Can You Take Prenatal Vitamins If You’re Not Pregnant?

Yes, you can take a prenatal vitamin if you’re not pregnant. In fact, if you’re planning to start trying to conceive within the next few months, that’s exactly when I recommend adding one to your routine.

If pregnancy isn’t on your radar right now, though, you don’t necessarily need a prenatal just because you have PMOS. Prenatals are formulated with pregnancy and preconception needs in mind, so some nutrients are included in different amounts than you’d find in a standard multivitamin.

Choose your supplements based on what your body actually needs rather than assuming a prenatal is automatically better. Your diet, bloodwork, health history, and plans for pregnancy can all help determine which option makes the most sense for you.

Do Prenatal Vitamins Help You Get Pregnant?

Prenatal vitamins don’t directly make you more fertile or guarantee that you’ll get pregnant. Their job is to help make sure your body has enough of the nutrients it needs before conception and during those important early stages of pregnancy.

For women with PMOS, fertility can be affected by factors like irregular ovulation, insulin resistance, and hormone imbalances. A prenatal doesn’t treat all of those underlying factors on its own, which is why I like to look at the bigger picture, including nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and any treatment plan you’re working on with your healthcare provider.

Think of your prenatal as preparation rather than a fertility treatment. It helps support a healthy nutritional foundation for pregnancy, while the rest of your PMOS management plan can focus on supporting your overall metabolic and reproductive health.

Prenatal Vitamins vs. Regular Multivitamins for PCOS

The biggest difference between a prenatal vitamin and a regular multivitamin is what they’re formulated to support. A standard multivitamin is designed to fill general nutritional gaps, while a prenatal is specifically formulated around the increased nutrient needs before and during pregnancy.

Prenatals typically place more emphasis on nutrients like folate, iron, iodine, and choline that become especially important during pregnancy. The exact amounts vary by product, so don’t assume every prenatal automatically contains everything you need.

If you’re actively preparing to conceive, a prenatal generally makes more sense than a standard multivitamin. If you’re managing PMOS but aren’t planning a pregnancy, you don’t necessarily need to switch to a prenatal. Your supplement routine should reflect your individual nutritional needs and where you are in your fertility journey.

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While Tallene is a Registered Dietitian and Sirak a Personal Trainer, this podcast provides general information about PCOS. It is not meant to serve as fitness, nutrition or medical advice related to your individual needs. If you have questions, please talk to a medical professional. For our full privacy policy, please click on the following link: (bit.ly/PCOSPrivacyPolicy)