Beyond Prenatal Vitamins

Sage’s Top Recommendations for Fertility

Women everywhere have relied on prenatal vitamins for decades to support their overall health and ensure that they have a healthy baby, and it’s no different in Austin and Round Rock. Whether you are preparing to expand your family, or you have been trying to conceive for some time, you will be interested to learn about some additional supplements that are key in helping you achieve your fertility goals.

Endometriosis, PCOS and other conditions that often impact fertility may be due to impaired circulation, inflammation, or hormonal imbalances in the body. Given the busy lives many women live today stress can also interfere with optimal reproductive health. Poor nutrition, infections, and other factors may contribute as well. Each woman is different, so the supplemental plan for one will be different from another based on age, health issues, lifestyle, and more.

Today there are more women than ever before trying to become pregnant at an “advanced maternal age,” which simply means 35 years or older. Hormone imbalances are more common among women in this age group and at any age in those with endometriosis or PCOS. Thyroid problems that impact reproductive health occur in one out of every 6 women. Many people are surprised to learn that up to 50% of pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Although fertility challenges are common, for almost every situation, it is possible to improve reproductive health through proper nutrition, acupuncture, supplements, and other natural interventions.

Here are some foundational supplements that almost everyone can benefit from:

Prenatal vitamins:
Prenatal vitamins taken daily before, during, and after pregnancy, contain vitamins and minerals to keep you and your baby healthy. All prenatal vitamins contain folic acid which is a B vitamin that cells in your body use for growing and developing. It is important to take prenatal vitamins before getting pregnant to avoid neural tube defect, a developmental condition that starts in early pregnancy.

DHA:
Not only do the omega-3 fatty acids in DHA help protect the heart from cardiovascular disease and may improve mood, but they also have an impact on reproductive health. Studies suggest that they improve ovulation and increase progesterone, as well as improve egg quality.

CoEnzyme Q-10:
CoQ10 is an antioxidant with exceptional bio-availability that is known to support fertility. It has been found to be helpful for women in their mid-30s and older who are wanting to become pregnant to boost their egg quality.

Vitamin D:
Vitamin D assists with proper absorption of calcium, reduces inflammation, and modulates cell growth, neuromuscular and immune functions. Vitamin D has also been linked to better fertility, as well as a healthy pregnancy. It’s important to get your levels checked before supplementing as this will determine what dose is best for you.

Vitex:
Vitex, also known as agnus castus or chaste berry, is an herbal supplement shown to be effective in treating PMS, irregular periods, and hormone imbalances such as a short luteal phase. Agnus castus promotes fertility as it helps women by recovering proper progesterone levels that are essential to sustain a pregnancy.

Probiotics:
Probiotics replenish low levels of gut flora caused by antibiotic use, poor nutrition, stress, and inflammation. There is a connection between the microbiome (both in the gut and in the vaginal tract) and fertility. Research suggests that an abnormal microbiome may interfere with getting pregnant both naturally and in IVF patients.

When combined with acupuncture, nutritional therapy, and a healthy lifestyle, there are many supplements that are beneficial for boosting fertility. Our natural fertility specialists help patients in the Austin area achieve their best health by creating a supplement regimen specifically for your needs. Contact Sage Acupuncture today to learn more about the services we offer.