🧬 What’s Your PCOS Type? Take the Quiz →
Home podcast PCOS Fertility Supplements & Treatments w/ Dr. Mark Ratner!
Episode 175 podcast

PCOS Fertility Supplements & Treatments w/ Dr. Mark Ratner!

Aug 24, 2023
41 min

PCOS Fertility Supplements

Did you know many prenatals are designed for women who are already pregnant? As a result, these prenatals contain vitamins and nutrients you don’t need until you are pregnant!

On this episode, we discuss the PCOS fertility world with Dr. Mark Ratner including fertility supplements, treatments, and the importance of other nutrients that are beneficial for getting pregnant!

Why are women with PCOS often told to lose weight in order to get pregnant? We discuss common IVF practices and misconceptions regarding PCOS & fertility.

What essential vitamins should be found in a prenatal? You’ll learn the importance of certain vitamins and compounds such as Vitamin D and folate. What are you waiting for? Click play!!!

Interested in learning more? Read on for our breakdown of what we learned on today’s podcast:

Are Prenatal Vitamins Good For PCOS?

As most of us Cysters know, fertility can be a real challenge. Women with polycystic ovary disease 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 polycystic ovary syndrome 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 Cysters fight and ward-off common symptoms of PCOS during pregnancy. Think about 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 PCOS symptoms may find prenatal vitamins helpful in managing their condition. PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a hormonal disorder that can affect fertility. Prenatal vitamins containing essential nutrients like folic acid and vitamin D3 can support reproductive health in individuals with PCOS.

In addition to fertility benefits, prenatal vitamins can also help regulate the menstrual cycle and alleviate PMS symptoms. 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 PCOS 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 PCOS 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 PCOS 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
  • Vitamin D3
  • Choline
  • Iodine
  • Vitamin B6
  • Thiamin
  • Vitamin B12
  • Zinc
  • Selenium

Women with PCOS should also consider a prenatal vitamin or supplement for PCOS that includes myo inositol and d chiro inositol. These chemicals can improve insulin resistance by improving hormone levels. And in turn, this can 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 PCOS 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 PCOS, 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.”

Join us in The Cysterhood, a community of women learning how to manage PCOS & lose weight, Gluten and Dairy Free! (bit.ly/The-Cysterhood-Membership)

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)

Love the podcast? Join The Cysterhood!

Get meal plans, workouts, and direct coaching from Tallene inside the app.

Start Your 7 Day Trial →
All Episodes