Supplements for Fertility, Pregnancy & Women’s Health

Sometimes that means recommending a supplement. Sometimes it means changing what you’re already taking. And sometimes the best advice is that you don’t need anything extra at all.

Supplements as part of the bigger picture

There is a lot of information online about fertility supplements, supplements for IVF, egg quality, sperm health and pregnancy. It can be difficult to work out what is relevant to you and what is simply another thing you could spend money on.

When you see us for acupuncture, we may talk with you about nutrition, lifestyle and supplements alongside your treatment. Our approach draws on both Chinese medicine and Western nutritional knowledge, with the aim of keeping things practical and individual rather than giving everyone the same list of supplements.

We consider things such as:

• where you are in your fertility or pregnancy journey

• your menstrual cycle and symptoms

• your diet and nutritional intake

• digestion and absorption

• your general health and energy

• medications and other treatments

• blood tests and relevant nutrient levels

• whether you are trying naturally, preparing for IVF or undergoing fertility treatment

• male fertility and sperm health, where relevant.

Our goal isn’t to give you a longer list of things to take. It’s to help you understand what may be useful for you.

Fertility and preconception supplements

Nutritional needs can change depending on where you are in your fertility journey.

For someone preparing for pregnancy, we may discuss foundational nutrients such as folate, iodine, iron, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients depending on individual needs.

For people preparing for IVF or other assisted reproductive treatment, the conversation may be different again. We can help you understand the role of supplements you are already taking, when and how to take them, and whether there are other nutritional considerations worth exploring alongside your medical treatment.

We may also talk about supplements and nutrition in relation to menstrual health, metabolic health, inflammation, digestion, energy and general wellbeing. Sometimes the timing of a supplement can be just as relevant as the supplement itself – whether that’s taking something with food, at a particular time of day, or at a particular stage of your cycle or treatment.

Supplements for egg health

Egg quality is a common concern for people preparing for pregnancy and fertility treatment. There are a number of supplements marketed specifically for egg quality, but the evidence and relevance of individual products varies.

Rather than automatically recommending a particular supplement, we consider your age, health, treatment history, diet and other factors before discussing whether something may be appropriate for you.

Supplements for sperm health

Male fertility is an important part of the picture too. Nutrition and lifestyle can influence sperm health, and supplements are sometimes used as part of a broader approach to supporting sperm quality.

We will talk through the supplements your partner is already taking and, where appropriate, discuss nutrients commonly considered in male fertility care. 

Supplements and Chinese medicine

Chinese medicine has its own understanding of food, digestion, nourishment and the way the body uses what we give it.

From a TCM perspective, we don’t simply look at a nutrient in isolation. We may also consider digestion, appetite, energy, menstrual patterns, sleep, stress and other signs that help us understand how your body is functioning.

This is one of the reasons our supplement conversations tend to sit alongside acupuncture and dietary advice rather than being a separate exercise.

Sometimes the most useful recommendation might be a supplement. Sometimes it might be a change to how or when you are eating. And sometimes it might be looking at whether your digestion is able to make the most of what you are already taking.

Naturopathic knowledge within our acupuncture practice

Two of our practitioners, Sian and Lou, have naturopathic training and bring this additional knowledge to their acupuncture practice.

They don’t offer separate naturopathic consultations at Yin. Instead, their knowledge of nutrition, lifestyle and supplementation becomes part of the broader conversations they have with patients and is also a resource for the wider Yin team.

Sian has also completed fertility-specific mentorship with internationally recognised fertility naturopath Leah Hechtman, further developing her knowledge of nutrition and supplementation across preconception, fertility treatment and pregnancy.

We also have a network of practitioners we trust. When someone needs more detailed nutritional or naturopathic support than we can provide within an acupuncture consultation, we’re very happy to refer you on.

We don’t believe you need to buy your supplements from us

We stock some of the supplements we genuinely love and recommend, and you’re welcome to purchase them through Yin if that’s convenient for you.  But there is never any pressure to buy from us.

We’ll give you the information you need to make your own decision, and we’re equally happy to tell you what to look for if you’d prefer to purchase your supplements elsewhere.

If we stock a product we recommend, we keep our prices at or below the recommended retail price (RRP). We’re also happy to order in products we don’t usually stock, or let you know where you can find them if that’s easier.

What supplements might we discuss?

The supplements we discuss will always depend on the individual, but conversations may include:

• prenatal vitamins and preconception supplements

• folate and other B vitamins

• iron

• iodine

• vitamin D

• omega-3 fatty acids

• CoQ10 and ubiquinol

• antioxidants

• supplements used in male fertility and sperm health

• nutritional support during pregnancy

• supplements alongside IVF and other fertility treatment.

This isn’t a checklist of supplements everyone needs to take. Your requirements will depend on your individual health, diet, blood tests, medications and treatment plan.

If you’re taking several supplements already, bringing a list of what you’re taking to your appointment can be really helpful. We can talk through what each one is for and whether there are any questions worth taking back to your GP or fertility specialist.

Supplements during IVF and pregnancy

If you’re undergoing IVF or other fertility treatment, it’s particularly important that your supplement regime fits alongside your medical treatment. We can help you understand the nutritional side of your care, but we don’t replace your fertility specialist, GP or obstetric team. 

Once you are pregnant, supplement recommendations may also change. Some supplements that are commonly used during preconception or fertility treatment aren’t necessarily appropriate throughout pregnancy, so it’s important to review what you’re taking rather than simply continuing everything indefinitely.

Do I need supplements?

Sometimes, yes. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you need a long list of them.

There are some nutrients that are important to consider when you’re preparing for pregnancy. For example, we would generally recommend that people trying to conceive include a folate supplement, alongside making sure their overall diet provides the nutrients needed for preconception and pregnancy.

Beyond these foundations, things become much more individual.

Depending on your health, diet, menstrual cycle, blood tests, fertility treatment and other factors, we may discuss nutrients such as iron, vitamin D, iodine, omega-3, CoQ10 or other supplements.

Supplements are just one part of your care

Nutrition and supplements can be a useful part of supporting your health, but they are only one piece of the puzzle.

At Yin, we bring together acupuncture, nutrition, lifestyle and Chinese medicine to look at the bigger picture – whether you’re preparing for pregnancy, going through fertility treatment, managing your menstrual health or simply looking for ways to support your wellbeing.

Our aim is to give you useful, practical information that you can take away and use with confidence, while working alongside your existing medical care when needed.

If you’d like to talk to us about nutrition, supplements and how they might fit into your care, we’d love to see you.