Does Folic Acid Increase Fertility?

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is one of the many B vitamins that the body requires in order to be healthy. Folic acid is key to ensuring your body produces healthy red blood cells, and it can also be used in medications to treat certain conditions such as folate deficiency anaemia, Spina Bifida in children, arthritis, Crohn's disease, and psoriasis. But, does folic acid increase fertility? 

Fertility can be an area of concern for people at all different stages of life, and for some, it may be a topic that can be difficult to talk about. When someone struggles with their fertility, they will look for any solution they can in order to bolster their chances of conceiving. When researching, people may discover a link between folic acid consumption and increased fertility, but is there actually any tangible evidence that suggests this is the case? In this article, we will discuss how folic acid could potentially help both male and female fertility, as well as where you can naturally find large quantities of folic acid. 

Key Takeaways

Folic acid supports fertility, especially in women:

Folic acid is essential for overall health and can help improve fertility in women by supporting cell metabolism in the ovaries and preventing early pregnancy complications. Men may also benefit from taking folic acid combined with zinc to increase sperm count.

Incorporating folic acid through diet and supplements:

Folic acid can be found naturally in foods like leafy greens, beans, and whole grains. Women trying to conceive should aim for 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, which can also be obtained through fertility supplements.

Consult your doctor before taking folic acid:

While folic acid is generally beneficial, it may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with certain medical conditions like low vitamin B12 levels or undergoing cancer treatment. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting folic acid supplements.

Does folic acid increase male fertility?

When a man is struggling with his fertility, it can be incredibly disheartening and can have a great impact on self-esteem and mental health. Whilst you may think you have an issue, it is best to do tests that can provide an insight into whether or not you are actually struggling. 

Babystart FertilCount fertility tests are designed to provide this insight with the focus being on sperm count. If a man has a lower sperm count it can be incredibly difficult for him to naturally conceive a child with his partner. If you do a Babystart FertilCount test and it indicates you may have a low sperm count, you may wish to look for options regarding boosting your fertility.

Folic acid for men

So does folic acid help with male fertility problems? Simply put, taking folic acid alone will not prove to be beneficial for the fertility of a man (Li et al, 2023). However, taking a supplement that contains both zinc and folic acid can potentially increase sperm count by up to 74% when taken regularly over a 26 week period (Wong et al, 2022).

It should be noted that male fertility can be quite temperamental and can vary on many different factors. For example, sperm count may be low if a man is experiencing high amounts of stress, but this can be reversed if his stress levels change. 

Does folic acid increase female fertility?

Female fertility is a topic that is not discussed enough. Many people may feel like there is nothing they can do if they suffer from reduced fertility levels. To discover whether or not you may be one of the many people with fertility issues, there are tests that you can do. 

FertilTime ovulation tests from Babystart allow a woman to discover when she is at her most fertile, giving her the ability to tailor her sex life to optimise her chance of conception. Women can also use the Babystart FertilCheck Female Fertility Test to test whether their bodies are producing excessive levels of FSH, which is an indicator for low fertility rates. 

Folic acid for women

If you do have indications of lower fertility after taking a FertilCheck test, you may be wondering whether folic acid will help. Again, as mentioned earlier, some people may find theories that suggest folic acid will help female fertility, but is there any truth to this?

Unlike male fertility, there is research that suggests there is a truth to folic acid helping female fertility on its own. Folic acid can help women both before and after conception and the NHS recommend taking it whilst a female is trying to get pregnant and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Prior to conception, folic acid can help with cell metabolism in the entire body (WebMD, 2023), including the ovaries. When a woman is pregnant, folic acid can also prevent potentially miscarriage inducing early pregnancy conditions. Supplements can be taken, including Babystart FertilWoman, that include folic acid as an active ingredient. 

Which foods is folic acid found in the most?

Folic acid is not only found in fertility supplements, but it is also naturally occurring, and can be consumed alongside a supplement in certain foodstuffs. Some food that is high in folic acid/vitamin B9 include: 

• Beans

• Peanuts

• Sunflower Seeds

• Fresh Fruits/Fruit Juices

• Whole Grains

• Liver

• Seafood

• Eggs

• Dark, leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, asparagus, and brussel sprouts.

When you eat these foods, you will not only be getting the other vitamins and minerals that they contain, but you will be receiving the benefits that folic acid provides you.

Recommended daily amount of folic acid for a female trying to get pregnant

The recommended daily intake of folic acid for an adult female trying to get pregnant is around 400 micrograms taken once daily (NHS, 2022), which is the exact amount that is contained in both Babystart supplements previously mentioned.

When you are cooking the foods mentioned above you should also be careful with the methods that you use. Folic acid is a soluble vitamin, meaning that it will dissolve in water. To avoid losing the folic acid when you're cooking you should ensure that you do not over cook, steam, or microwave your food.

Can you take supplements to increase fertility?

At UK Meds, we provide Babystart fertility supplements that contain your daily dosage of folic acid needed to not only help with general health, but will also help with both male and female fertility.

These fertility supplements have been especially designed to help people with not just their fertility, but with general health. Generally, the healthier someone is, the better their body will work. This also includes the systems that control fertility. You will be able to boost your fertility by leading a healthy lifestyle including getting plenty of exercise and eating a balanced diet.

Your doctor can recommend which fertility supplements are the most suitable treatment to help your individual case.

Babystart and UK Meds are here for you no matter where you are on your fertility journey. Shop the Babystart range online with UK Meds today

Who can and cannot take folic acid?

Despite its effectiveness, folic acid may not be suitable for some people (NHS, 2022). Before you begin using folic acid you should make sure to tell your doctor if any of the following applies to you:

• You've had an allergic reaction to folic acid or any other medication.

• You have low vitamin B12 levels or pernicious anaemia.

• You have any form of cancer (unless you also have folate deficiency anaemia).

• You're undergoing haemodialysis for kidney issues.

• You have a heart stent.

Sources

• NHS - Folic Acid

• NHS - Infertility

• NHS - Planning your Pregnancy

• WebMD - Folic Acid

• Harvard School of Public Health - Folic Acid