Here is some information we've collected about how the various vitamins, minerals and herbs affect fertility. As with all use of any of these products, please check with your doctor as to how they might affect you.

Our favoriites:
FertilAid: A blend of many of the supplements listed below
Evening Primrose Oil: For increasing Cervical Mucus
Vitex: All natural aid to assist in luteal phase defects.

Vitamins and Minerals for Fertility

Vitamin C and Fertility:

According to a study conducted at the University of Texas Medical School at Galveston, insufficient amounts of vitamin C in a man’s diet can lead to agglutination of sperm. Agglutination occurs when sperm cells clump together, thus inhibiting maximal progression or movement of the sperm. According to Dr. Earl Dawson M.D., Ph.D., associate professor at the U of Texas at Galveston, vitamin C is also helpful in smokers who have increased amounts of abnormally formed sperm. Cigarette smoke is absorbed through the lungs and enters the circulatory system (bloodstream). Once the toxins reach the bloodstream they find their way to the semen and this can lead to less than optimal sperm count and function. It is believed that vitamin C helps to neutralize the toxic effects of cigarette smoke on the sperm. When sperm stick together (a condition called agglutination), fertility is reduced. Vitamin C reduces sperm agglutination,(3) increasing the fertility of men with this condition. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is 60 milligams per day for an adult male. According to Dr. Dawson intake of 200 to 1000 milligrams per day had a beneficial effect on sperm.

Women should avoid megadoses of vitamin C because it can dry up cervical fluid, preventing sperm from reaching the egg. Limit the amount you take to the dose included in your prenatal vitamin.
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Vitamin E and Fertility:

Vitamin E Essential for fertility and reproduction. Deficiency in rats has shown that it leads to absorption in the female and loss of fertility on the male. This potent antioxidant plays important roles in male sperm production. It is known that a lack of vitamin E inhibits the formation of sperm. Low vitamin E levels can cause a decline in the formation of key sex hormones and enzymes responsible for sperm production.. Although potency is not affected, fertility is improved due to its protective effect on sperm cell membranes. Supplementation with Vitamin E may also aid in improving sperm motility. Dose: 400 IU daily. Talk to your doctor prior to starting Vitamin E, particularly if you are currently taking aspirin or other blood thinners.
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Selenium:

A study conducted at the University of Padua in Italy and published in the Journal Science states that a diet low in selenium could be a cause of male infertility. Selenium acts to help prevent oxidation of the sperm cell, thus aiding in maintaining sperm cell integrity. Good sources of selenium can be found in red meat, liver and seafood. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for selenium is 70 micrograms/day for an adult male.
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Zinc:

This mineral is involved in over 200 proteins and enzymes and is essential for male fertility. Zinc is involved in the activation of key sperm enzymes, and moves into the prostate with the assistance of testosterone. A lack of zinc causes a lowering of testosterone, shrinks testicle size and produces misshapen and less healthy sperm, among other negatives. Upon restoring a daily dose of 15 milligrams, testosterone and sperm count levels rebounded to acceptable levels within 12 months. Take zinc with a full glass of water.
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Herbs for Fertility

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is used primarily for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Black cohosh, a phytoestrogen, is the most promising herbal remedy to treat mood swings, hot flashes and vaginal dryness associated with menopause. Phytoestrogens are non-steroidal, plant-derived substances that bind or activate estrogen receptors in various areas of the body. In post-menopausal women, phytoestrogens typically act as weak estrogens.

An improvement in overall menopausal symptoms, reduction in hot flashes and stimulation of vaginal changes were observed in a series of clinical studies in more than 800 women. Few or no toxic effects were observed.
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Evening Primrose Oil:

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) lowers cholesterol, helps to alleviate pms and most importantly here, aids in the production of fertile quality cervical fluid. EPO is an essential fatty acid that contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA). It is converted to a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin E1 which has anti-inflammatory properties and may also act as a blood thinner and blood vessel dilator. The anti-inflammatory properties help people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. We want to discuss the effects EPO has on pms and cervical fluid.

If you suffer from pms - this is a sign that you are deficient in the fatty acid contained in EPO. EPO can help the body to alleviate the pms symptoms. EPO does a world of good in treating aliments of all sorts.

EPO helps the body to produce more fertile quality cervical fluid also known as "egg white cervical mucus." This is because fertile cervical fluid is thin, watery, clear and "stretchy" and easily aids the sperm to swim through the uterus and into the fallopian tube, and to the egg. If there is a lack in this type of cervical fluid, it can impede and/or prevent fertilization. Some women are very dry, and have problems in producing an adequate amount of fertile quality cervical fluid. Drinking a lot of water and taking the EPO can certainly help in the production of fertile cervical fluid. Also, this type of fluid helps the sperm to stay alive for up to five days inside the fallopian tube, thus enabling conception to happen even if you don't have intercourse again by the time ovulation occurs.

EPO should only be taken from menstruation to ovulation. This is because EPO can cause uterine contractions in pregnancy. The dosage taken should be 1500mg to 3000mg per day. I usually took around 2000 mg of EPO. Since essential fatty acids are necessary, you can take flax seed oil in place of EPO after ovulation. This may be taken throughout pregnancy. Check the label to see the correct dosage.

There are many remedies out there to help with fertility, but few are as good as EPO. EPO is excellent for women because of the help it gives in alleviating pms symptoms, and even menopausal women can benefit from taking it. I have heard of many praises to EPO and the fact that it definitely increases the fertile type cervical fluid. This may take a month or two to build up, and produce the results you are looking for. It is imperative that you chart your fertility symptoms and signs, so you can know when you have ovulated. By knowing this information, you can discontinue the EPO after ovulation and start the flax seed oil. Unless you are very regular, charting your fertility signs is the best tool to determine where you are in your cycle.
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Ginseng:

Stimulates the immune system and can help fight male impotence and improve male fertility. Measurable test results show that it can increase sexual desire, raise testosterone levels, increase sperm count and increase sperm mobility

Pycnogenol

According to a study done by Dr. Scott Roseff, author of the study and Director of the West Essex Center for Advanced Reproductive Endocrinology "Up to 60% of infertile couples have difficulty conceiving due to abnormalities in the male's sperm. By taking Pycnogenol(r) to increase normally functioning sperm naturally, couples may be able to (or potentially) avoid in-vitro fertilization and either enjoy improved natural fertility or undergo less invasive and less expensive fertility-promoting procedures."

Pycnogenol(r) is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the Maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France. It represents a unique and natural combination of genetically programmed constant proportions of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids, making it a super antioxidant.

The antioxidant Pycnogenol improved the quality and function of sperm in men with fertility problems by a mean of 38% and 19%, respectively, after only 90 days of use, according to a new landmark clinical trial being published in the October 2002 issue of the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, giving infertile couples new hope and a new alternative to more invasive procedures.
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Saw Palmetto:

Iis a natural steroid source herb with tissue building and gland stimulating properties to tonify and strengthen the male reproductive system. It is a primary herb for male impotence, low libido and prostate health.
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Vitex:

Vitex helps to lengthen luteal phase defects and helps to lower high prolactin levels, both of which causes infertility. However, vitex does not contain hormones - its benefits stem from its actions upon the pituitary gland - specifically upon the production of lutenizing hormone. This helps to increase the production of progesterone - thus helping to regulate the menstrual cycle. It also aids in decreasing prolactin levels. A breastfeeding mom, for example, would produce a high level of prolactin, thus the natural birth control effect. But in decreasing the prolactin levels - it may enable a woman to finally become pregnant

Some say to take it from menstruation to ovulation - stopping once ovulation has been established and then continuing again if menstruation should occur. Others have said it is safe to take all month long - stopping if pregnancy should occur. On this argument - the effects vitex has on a woman’s hormones can benefit her throughout her entire cycle. Also, it may be a smart practice to discontinue any supplements during menstruation, to allow the body to completely cleanse itself.

Vitex is not a fast acting herb and may take several months to build up in your system. When using vitex to treat infertility you can take it up to 12 to 18 months - or until pregnancy occurs. Should pregnancy not occur in that time span, seek the advice of a health care professional for the next steps in achieving pregnancy. Another note of caution - you cannot take vitex while taking the fertility drug Clomid - or any drug like Clomid. It seems that vitex and Clomid counter act each other.

Vitex helps minimize symptoms of PMS, regulate heavy, frequent or lack of menses.
It helps to improve fertility in cases where fertility is the result of hormonal imbalances.
Vitex useful in treating peri menopausal and menopausal symptoms, in particular hot flashes, and menstrual irregularities such as flooding, clotting and irregular cycle. Post menopausal women who still feel cyclic mood swings can also benefit.