One study showed that women who got at least seven hundred micrograms (mcg) a day of folic acid from their diet were forty to fifty percent less likely to have ovulatory infertility then women taking less than three hundred micrograms[1].
More than 12 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 54 experience problems with fertility. Consuming high levels of folic acid can potentially reduce ovulation problems in healthy women who are trying to conceive.
Most women are advised to take a 400mcg supplement every day. You can get these from most pharmacies, supermarkets, and health food shops. Your GP may also be able to prescribe them to you. You can also get folic acid in some pregnancy multivitamin tablets.
Folic acid and female fertility
Folic acid can have a powerful effect on female fertility, both before and after conception. For women who are struggling to conceive, folic acid can help prevent early pregnancy defects that can lead to miscarriage. Folic acid and female fertility benefits don't stop there.
Vitamin C – Vitamin C helps trigger ovulation for women and supports healthy sperm count and mobility for men. Vegetables and fruits like strawberries, oranges, and blueberries all contain Vitamin C. Vitamin E – Men and women both benefit from Vitamin E consumption.
You can also make simple lifestyle changes to naturally boost progesterone and improve ovulation. For example, there are several foods that can help promote progesterone production, including broccoli, spinach, beans, and pumpkin, among others. Sometimes, herbal supplements or prescription medications can do the trick.
Moreover, vitamin B9, more commonly known as folic acid, has long been touted as one of the most vital nutrients for pregnancy and hormonal balance. Folic acid has been shown to raise progesterone levels, promote regular ovulation, and reduce menopausal hot flashes.
Yes, you can take folic acid during your period to help build red blood cells, as there is no known risk associated with taking it during your period. Folic acid assists the growth and maintenance of cells that transport and regulate iron throughout your body.
It is recommended to take folic acid while you're trying for a baby (ideally for 3 months before) and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The usual dose if you're trying to get pregnant and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is 400 micrograms, taken once a day.
All women should get in the habit of taking folic acid daily even when they are not planning to get pregnant.
Several studies in reproductive aged women have shown that one pathway through which folic acid intake may enhance fertility is through beneficial effects on menstrual cycle function (13-15) including improved hormonal balance and follicular development (9, 16).
While there are no guaranteed methods to release two eggs during ovulation naturally, there are general strategies to optimise fertility and increase the chances of conception: Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle - Engage in regular exercise, follow a balanced diet, and manage stress levels.
Folate - Deficiency reduces estrogen levels; Excess folate is linked to some types of estrogen-related breast cancer; Detoxifies excess estrogen via methylation pathway; Regulates estrogen's effect on genes.
Other possible benefits of folic acid supplementation include: A lower the risk of congenital heart defects. A lower risk of preterm birth and a lower risk of low-birth-weight babies. Increased progesterone levels and a lower risk of irregular ovulation.
A commercially available supplement called Inofolic, which is a combination of Myo Inositol and folic acid, has shown benefit in initial studies to improve the metabolic defect in PCOS and make menstrual cycles more regular.
Folic acid may help reduce your risk of heart disease by reducing high blood pressure and improving blood flow. Studies show that supplementing with folic acid may lead to a 4% reduction in overall risk for heart disease and a 10% reduction in stroke risk.
Folate (vitamin B-9) is important in red blood cell formation and for healthy cell growth and function. The nutrient is crucial during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine.
How long does folic acid take to work? Folic acid usually starts to work in a few hours. But if you're taking it for folate deficiency anaemia, it may be a few weeks before you start to feel better. It's important to keep taking your folic acid for as long as it's recommended.
In most cases, anovulation can be treated with lifestyle changes, fertility drugs or medications that treat the condition that's causing your anovulation. If you're experiencing perimenopause, anovulation is more difficult to treat.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a natural hormone that helps with the final maturation of the eggs and triggers the ovaries to release the mature eggs (ovulation).
Ovulation is induced using one of two main drug regimens: Clomiphene or Clomid tablets (alternatives are Tamoxifen and Letrozole tablets) increase the production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland, thereby stimulating follicles and hence egg growth.