Folic Acid Supplements For Fertility - A Comprehensive Guide

Every couple dreams of having their own sweet little family. A lot of them start journaling their thoughts on what the baby’s gender will be and how to set up the nursery. In all the excitement, a lot of people forget that the most important bit is to focus on how to prepare your body to bear your little bundle of joy. One such important aspect is to include folic acid supplements for fertility in your lifestyle.

What is Folic Acid?

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, or Vitamin B9. This vitamin is called folate when it is found naturally in certain food products. It is referred to as folic acid when it is taken in the form of supplements or added to natural food. The synthetic form is commonly used in pregnancy to prevent certain complications [1].

The human body cannot synthesize folate; hence, we need to include that in our diet. Folic acid is an essential nutrient that aids in the formation of DNA and RNA. [2]. The natural sources of folate include green leafy vegetables, broccoli, beans, chickpeas, whole grains, citrus fruits, etc. [3].

Benefits of Folic Acid Supplementation When Trying to Conceive

This essential water-soluble vitamin is crucial for both male and female fertility. Women need folic acid before and during pregnancy to support a healthy gestation.

Folic acid works wonders for:

1. Ovarian Health

Optimal folic acid levels support ovarian health and regular ovulation. Increased folate intake is associated with a larger ovarian reserve, which can enhance fertility indirectly.

2. Male Fertility

Folic acid is also beneficial for male fertility. It supports cell division and DNA synthesis, which are essential for the formation of healthy sperm. Numerous studies have demonstrated that folic acid plays a crucial role in improving sperm quality and maintaining an optimal sperm count. [4].

3. Pregnancy

Folic acid helps many women struggling with infertility by preventing early pregnancy defects and lessening the chances of preterm labor [5]. Besides enhancing fertility, folic acid is essential for healthy fetal development and the growth of maternal tissues during pregnancy.

4. Assisted Reproductive Technology

Folic acid supplements help to prevent elevated intrafollicular levels of homocysteine. Homocysteine is an amino acid that can negatively impact oocyte quality. [6]. This helps in increasing the chances of conception.

5. Prevention of Neural Tube Defects

Most importantly, it plays a vital role in reducing the risk of developing neural tube defects in the baby. Some of the common neural tube defects are spina bifida, anencephaly, and encephalocele [7]. Taking folic acid before and during pregnancy can effectively prevent these conditions.

When to Take Folic Acid Supplements When Planning For A Baby?

Most likely, dietary folate is not sufficient for any upcoming pregnancy. Hence, your doctor will add a folic acid supplement for healthy fetal development. The neural tube formation happens very early in embryonic development.

So, neural tube defects can happen as early as one month after conception [8]. At this stage, most of the women don’t even know that they are pregnant. This necessitates the intake of folic acid when you are trying to conceive.

If you are planning to conceive, start taking folic acid two to three months beforehand. Once you conceive, you should continue taking it throughout the first trimester of your pregnancy [9].

You can stop it after the first trimester, as the neural tube is fully formed until then. The supplement should be ideally taken daily at the same time of the day. If you forget to take your dose, then you can take it as soon as you remember.

Who Should Take Folic Acid Supplements?

Doctors advise women of childbearing age to consume folic acid supplements daily [10].

Folic acid intake is advantageous for the following people:

Couples struggling to have a baby: Ideally, couples struggling to conceive must start taking folic acid. Such men and women must start a daily dose of folic acid to achieve a successful pregnancy.
Women in their early pregnancy: Pregnant women in the early stage should take folic acid supplements religiously to prevent conditions like neural tube defects, congenital heart diseases, and cleft lip and cleft palate [11].
Women at risk of premature birth: A few studies suggest that preconception intake of folic acid is beneficial in preventing premature births [12].
Women undergoing IVF treatment: Folic acid supplements administered during IVF are associated with improved embryo quality and increased success rates. [13].
Women with PCOS: A few studies have shown that folic acid is helpful in women with PCOS by improving their metabolic profile [14].

Folic acid is beneficial for everyone, not just those trying to conceive, as this nutrient is essential for producing new healthy cells in the body.

Dosage of Folic Acid Supplements When Trying to Conceive

Pregnant women require approximately up to ten times more folate for the growth of a healthy baby. The recommended dose of folic acid supplement for women trying to conceive is 400 micrograms (mcg) or 0.4mg [15]. During pregnancy, your doctor might increase the dose depending on your folate levels.

A few cases need a higher dose of 5mg of folic acid daily. They are:

Those with a family history of neural tube defects [16].
Past pregnancy with neural tube defects.
Diabetic mothers
Obese women or women with a high BMI.
History of neural tube defects in either of the parents.
Women taking anti-epileptic medications [17].
History of kidney disease or dialysis.

Are There Any Risk Factors of Folic Acid Supplements?

As folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, any excess of it passes away in the urine. This leaves almost no room for any side effects to occur.

Rarely do some people report frequent stomach pain, nausea, or diarrhea with the intake of supplements.
A few people can have hypersensitivity reactions to folic acid supplements, leading to skin rashes, itching, and difficulty breathing [18].
Rare cases suggest that excessive doses can lead to cancer, such as lung or prostate cancer [19].
It is always better to consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

Consulting a Doctor For Folic Acid

It is best to have a word with your doctor before starting any supplements. They will prescribe the ideal dosage for you according to your needs. The dose might differ from person to person, keeping in mind other medical histories too.

Now you know that the most important step before trying to conceive is to include a folic acid supplement in your diet. Not only will it help you get pregnant, but it will also promote the healthy growth of your future baby. Fix an appointment with your healthcare provider soon to know about the accurate dose that will be best for you. Smart preparation will ensure a smart baby.

FAQs

1. Will Taking Folic Acid Help Me Conceive?

Folic acid is beneficial for both male and female fertility. It supports healthy ovulation and sperm quality, thereby enhancing the chances of a successful pregnancy.

2. How Many Months Should I Take Folic Acid Supplements Before Getting Pregnant?

A woman should ideally start taking folic acid supplements 2-3 months before trying to conceive to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the developing fetus.

3. What is The Best Time to Take Folic Acid?

There is no specific time to take folic acid supplements. You can take them either in the morning or in the evening. Just ensure you take the dose approximately at the same time each day.

References

Web MD, Folic Acid – Uses, Side Effects, and More – https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1017/folic-acid
The Nutrition Source, Folate (Folic Acid) – Vitamin B9 – https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/folic-acid/
NHS, B vitamins and folic acid – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-b/
Li X, Zeng YM, Luo YD, He J, Luo BW, Lu XC, Zhu LL. Effects of folic acid and folic acid plus zinc supplements on the sperm characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of infertile men: A systematic review and meta-analysis – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10395467/
Li B, Zhang X, Peng X, Zhang S, Wang X, Zhu C. Folic Acid and Risk of Preterm Birth: A Meta-Analysis. Front Neurosci. 2019 Nov 28;13:1284 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6892975/
Michels, Kara & Wactawski-Wende, Jean & Mills, James & Schliep, Karen & Gaskins, Audrey & Yeung, Edwina & Kim, Keewan & Plowden, Torie & Sjaarda, Lindsey & Chaljub, Ellen & Mumford, Sunni. (2017). Folate, homocysteine, and the ovarian cycle among healthy, regularly menstruating women. Human Reproduction. 32. 1743-1750 – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319481825_Folate_homocysteine_and_the_ovarian_cycle_among_healthy_regularly_menstruating_women
Cleveland, Neural Tube Defects (NTD) – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22656-neural-tube-defects-ntd
Wikipedia, Neural tube – https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neural_tube
NHS, Vitamins, supplements, and nutrition in pregnancy – https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vitamins-supplements-and-nutrition/
Medawar G, Wehbe T, Jaoude EA. Awareness and Use of Folic Acid among Women of Childbearing Age. Ann Glob Health. 2019 Apr 9;85(1):54 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6634342/
VINMEC International Hospital – https://www.vinmec.com/en/news/health-news/obstetrics-https://www.vinmec.com/eng/article/how-much-folic-acid-should-i-take-before-getting-pregnant-en
March of Dimes Foundation. (2008, February 1). Huge Drop in Preterm Birth Risk Among Women Taking Folic Acid One Year Before Conception. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 7, 2024 – https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080131111822.htm
Gaskins AJ, Afeiche MC, Wright DL, Toth TL, Williams PL, Gillman MW, Hauser R, Chavarro JE. Dietary folate and reproductive success among women undergoing assisted reproduction. Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Oct;124(4):801-809 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4172634/
Zatollah Asemi, Maryam Karamali, Ahmad Esmaillzadeh, Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran; Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran – https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.201400033
Zadarko-Domaradzka M, Kruszyńska E, Zadarko E. Effectiveness of Folic Acid Supplementation Recommendations among Polish Female Students from the Podkarpackie Region. Nutrients. 2021; 13(3):1001 – https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/3/1001
Kennedy D, Koren G. Identifying women who might benefit from higher doses of folic acid in pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2012 Apr;58(4):394-7 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3325450/
Wilson RD et al. Pre-conceptional vitamin/folic acid supplementation 2007: the use of folic acid in combination with a multivitamin supplement for the prevention of neural tube defects and other congenital anomalies – https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/folic-acid-supplementation-is-recommended-for-all-women-taking anticonvulsants/
Nucera E, Aruanno A, Mezzacappa S, Pascolini L, Buonomo A, Schiavino D. Hypersensitivity reactions to folic acid: Three case reports and a review of the literature. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6299334/
Thabet RH, Alessa REM, Al-Smadi ZKK, et al. Folic acid: friend or foe in cancer therapy. Journal of International Medical Research. 2024;52(1) – https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/03000605231223064

Folic Acid Supplements For Fertility – A Comprehensive Guide

What is Folic Acid?