Get the 411 on fertility supplements
Trying to get pregnant without success can leave you feeling frustrated and willing to consider any treatment option, including fertility supplements. As the medical director of Innovative Fertility Center, Mark Rispler, M.D., understands that our patients want to explore a variety of treatment options. Our Manhattan Beach fertility center combines the latest fertility therapies with a holistic approach to treatment that addresses the mind/body/spirit connection.
Our fertility specialist explains the basics of fertility supplements
Because Dr. Rispler believes in a comprehensive approach to fertility treatments, our Manhattan Beach fertility center provides advanced treatment options, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), as well as complementary therapies such as yoga and acupuncture. Not surprisingly, our patients often ask about the effectiveness of fertility supplements. Currently, the research data on fertility supplements has only been gathered from a small number of studies and doesn’t provide conclusive results. Additional studies are needed to determine whether fertility supplements like L-carnitine, Coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, DHEA and folic acid actually help improve fertility.
Dr. Rispler offers important considerations for fertility supplements
Although vitamins and herbal supplements are often touted as “natural,” we recommend that our patients use caution before adding fertility supplements to their treatment. Dr. Rispler suggests considering the following points:
- Nutritional and herbal supplements receive limited regulation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Patients undergoing conventional fertility treatments should check for any potential drug interactions before starting fertility supplements.
- Side effects can occur when you take nutritional or herbal supplements, especially if consumed in large doses.
If you are having trouble getting pregnant, the team at our Manhattan Beach fertility center can help. Dr. Rispler has the medical expertise to diagnose and treat infertility. For answers about fertility treatments, including the use of fertility supplements, contact us for more information.