The 7 Best Fertility Products of 2023

What to Look for When Shopping for Fertility Products

Safety

First and foremost, you want to ensure that the product you’re using is safe—especially when it comes to fertility products that are used internally or supplements. For these types of products, it’s important to look over the ingredients list to find out what’s actually in them. Lubricants, for example, have been known to contain parabens, which are potentially carcinogenic, according to Felice Gersh, MD OB/GYN and founder/director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, in Irvine, CA, and the author of Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know. 

It’s incredibly important to review ingredients in any dietary supplement, especially those taken daily because if you do become pregnant, you won’t find out for around two weeks, which means everything you put into your body will also go to the developing baby.

“For supplements, it’s usually best to stay with prenatal nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, and steer clear of herbals while actively trying to conceive,” Dr. Gersh says. She also recommends looking for products that have been certified by a reputable third party, as “the supplement would earn the certificate of analysis (COA).” 

Time Commitment

For anyone who is trying to conceive, waiting is incredibly challenging, and it only becomes more so as the wait continues. When you’re working directly with a fertility specialist, they may try to manage your expectations with a six or even 12-month timeline, but the same rule doesn’t necessarily apply when it comes to over-the-counter fertility supplements, and that’s something to keep in mind when shopping. For instance, when you’re trying to track your cycle, you may use several ovulation sticks in your first cycle, and this is a product that is both safe and useful to use month after month. In this case, it might make sense to buy a multi-pack.

On the other hand, you may not want to stock up on several months worth of supplements (besides prenatal vitamins). “If someone truly feels that a specific herbal or some combination [of supplements] may help, then my recommendation would be to…stop [taking] them with the onset signs of a period beginning,” says Gersh. Of course, if your personal doctor is recommending these supplements, then you should follow their direction, but if it’s a product that you decided to try on your own, it’s better to hold off on buying in bulk. 

Price

Fertility products typically aren’t cheap, and if you’re using multiple at once, like ovulation sticks, supplements, and lubricants, the cost will quickly add up, especially if you’re planning on using them for the foreseeable future. Thus, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the cost of the products and prioritize what is most important and effective. If you’re not sure what to prioritize or are struggling with the cost in general, talk to your doctor so they can give you guidance (and possibly even some free samples).

Why Trust Verywell Family 

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter. With three kids, she is done tracking her fertility but appreciates the need for high-quality, trustworthy products that empower women.

Additional reporting by Ashley Ziegler