The top 5 male fertility supplements (plus when to start taking them)

Baby-making takes both sperm and an egg, but most preconception and prenatal nutrition advice surrounds female fertility. Sperm health, including shape, size and ability to swim to meet the egg, are all important indicators of male fertility. And guess what? Nutrition can directly impact all of them.

Prenatal supplements are non-negotiable and recommended for any woman who could become pregnant. But what about men and people with sperm? With more recognition of the importance of reproductive health for both partners, the number of products supporting male fertility on the market continues to grow.

Here’s what to know about prenatal vitamins for sperm health and our picks for the best male fertility supplements, so you can get your conception journey off to the right start.

Does your partner need a preconception vitamin?

Not everyone needs male preconception vitamins, but they can be helpful. Just like multivitamins can fill nutritional gaps, preconception male fertility vitamins (also known as men’s prenatals) are specifically formulated to provide essential nutrients that may be missing from the diet. 

These supplements contain nutrients that can positively affect sperm count, motility (how well sperm move), morphology (shape of sperm), and DNA—all factors that impact a couple’s ability to conceive.

Related: 8 ways to boost male fertility

Certain nutrients in male prenatal supplements may also be higher than what’s typically found in someone’s diet. Supplement companies do this purposely to match dosages found beneficial in research. For example, vitamin B12 (found in animal products like meat, chicken, dairy, and fish) is often higher because it can help keep homocysteine in check. Homocysteine is a type of amino acid linked to male infertility.

You and your partner may take a closer look at your respective diets to decide if male preconception supplements are right for you. Still, some people choose to take them as an insurance policy.

When’s the best time to start taking male fertility supplements?

Some couples wait and decide to take a male preconception supplement if it takes longer to become pregnant. But if you do wait, it’s helpful to know that it can take time for male fertility supplements to work.

Sperm take two to three months to mature, so male preconception supplements should be taken for at least three months before trying to conceive to see the full benefits.

One thing to note: if you are concerned about fertility or sperm health, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor. They may want to run tests and can help you decide if fertility supplements are right for you.

What to look for in the best men’s prenatal vitamins

As a general rule, you want to ensure your supplement is third-party tested, manufactured in a facility that meets the current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) guidelines, and comes from a reputable company. Some companies also emphasize sustainability practices and transparency about how their product is manufactured and where it comes from, which is a big plus.

But beyond these basics, male preconception supplements should also have key fertility-focused ingredients like antioxidants that protect the delicate cell membranes and fight against free radical damage. Or nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, and vitamin D to support sperm quantity and quality.

Many prenatal companies include background information on their website about their ingredients and why they contain specific nutrients so you can also learn more about what the research says.

Here are our 5 favorite male fertility supplements

These five male prenatal picks all get high marks for both quality and formulation. Here’s what made the cut.

WeNatal

1. WeNatal for Him

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$64.95 for a 30-day supply

WeNatal for Him includes 15 essential nutrients for male reproductive health, is third-party tested, and is allergen-free. As you read through the supplement ingredients, the interactive website lets you click on the nutrient to learn more about its benefits and see research studies backing up the claims. The product comes in a refillable glass jar with a 30-day supply that includes antioxidants like vitamin E and CoQ10 and n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), which research has shown may increase sperm count and motility.

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Perelel Health

2. Men’s Multi Supplement

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$49.70 for a 30-day supply

Developed by a fertility doctor, Perelel’s Men’s Multi Support Pack is a third-party tested, research-backed formula to support fertility and whole health. Each packet includes a multivitamin containing antioxidants to support fertility and vitamins and minerals in activated or bioavailable forms. Packets also include CoQ10 and omega-3 fatty acids for extra sperm health support. Perelel’s Men’s Multi is gluten-free and non-GMO with an easy-to-read ingredient list (meaning minimal extras like preservatives or fillers).

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Bird&Be

3. The Powers for Males

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$54 for a 30-day supply

Sent in a 1-month supply of daily packs, Bird&Be The Powers for Males contains high-quality, bioavailable nutrients to support optimal absorption. Nutrients in this product include antioxidants, vitamins and minerals for optimal sperm health, protection against DNA damage, and healthy thyroid function. You’ll also get omega-3 fatty acids to support motility and a healthy cellular membrane. 

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Natalist

4. Prenatal for Him

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$55 for a 30-day supply

Developed by a doctor and registered dietitian, Natalist male prenatal packets contain highly researched sperm-supporting nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid. The product is allergen-free and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Natalist focuses on seven key ingredients for sperm health that are backed by peer-reviewed nutritional research—but also note that as research is ever changing, they may occasionally update their formula.

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Needed

5. Men's Multi

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$49.99 for a 30-day supply

The Needed Men’s Multi can be taken for general health or preconception support. Since it’s a multivitamin and not just a fertility supplement, the Needed supplement contains more nutrients than the other options on this list, but still contains the important sperm-supportive nutrients. The antioxidant blend includes extracts from fruits like grape and cranberry, known for their antioxidant capacity. Needed could be a good option for someone who wants to ensure they are getting the right nutrients for fertility but who also wants a comprehensive multivitamin.

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Sources

Aitken RJ, Flanagan HM, Connaughton H, Whiting S, Hedges A, Baker MA. Involvement of homocysteine, homocysteine thiolactone, and paraoxonase type 1 (PON‐1) in the etiology of defective human sperm function. Andrology. 2016 Mar;4(2):345-60.

Amann RP. The cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in humans: a need to revisit?. Journal of andrology. 2008 Sep 10;29(5):469-87.

Banihani SA. Vitamin B12 and Semen Quality. Biomolecules. 2017;7(2):42. Published 2017 Jun 9. doi:10.3390/biom7020042

de Angelis C, Galdiero M, Pivonello C, et al. The role of vitamin D in male fertility: A focus on the testis. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2017;18(3):285-305. doi:10.1007/s11154-017-9425-0

Falsig AL, Gleerup CS, Knudsen UB. The influence of omega-3 fatty acids on semen quality markers: a systematic PRISMA review. Andrology. 2019;7(6):794-803. doi:10.1111/andr.12649

Imamovic Kumalic S, Pinter B. Review of clinical trials on effects of oral antioxidants on basic semen and other parameters in idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:426951. doi:10.1155/2014/426951

Turner KA, Rambhatla A, Schon S, et al. Male Infertility is a Women’s Health Issue-Research and Clinical Evaluation of Male Infertility Is Needed. Cells. 2020;9(4):990. Published 2020 Apr 16. doi:10.3390/cells9040990

A version of this story was published December 20, 2022. It has been updated.