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Alternative medicine

By Mayo Clinic staff

Evidence is still limited on whether — or how much — herbs or supplements might help increase male fertility. Some supplements may help only if you have a deficiency.

Supplements that show some promise for improving sperm count or sperm quality include:

  • Vitamin C
  • Zinc
  • Selenium
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin B-12
  • Folic acid
  • L-carnitine
  • Vitamin C
  • Beta carotene

Talk with your doctor before taking dietary supplements to review the risks and benefits of this therapy, as some supplements taken in high doses (megadoses) or for extended periods of time may be harmful.

Coping and support Lifestyle and home remedies
References
  1. European Association of Urology Guidelines on Male Infertility: The 2012 Update. Arnhem, Netherlands: European Association of Urology. http://www.uroweb.org/guidelines/online-guidelines. Accessed July 20, 2012.
  2. McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2012. 51st ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=1. Accessed July 20, 2012.
  3. Swerdloff RF, et al. Causes of male infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index. Accessed July 19, 2012.
  4. Patel ZP, et al. Male factor assessment in infertility. Medical Clinics of North America. 2011;95:223.
  5. The optimal evaluation of the infertile male: AUA best practice statement. Linthicum, Md.: American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=23921&search=male+infertility. Accessed July 19, 2012.
  6. Loughlin KR. Changes in male fertility in the last two decades. Urology Clinics of North America. 2012;39:33.
  7. Asplund C, et al. Genitourinary problems in bicyclists. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2007;6:333.
  8. Frey KA. Male reproductive health and infertility. Primary Care Clinics Office Practice. 2010;37:643.
  9. Swerdloff RF, et al. Evaluation of male infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index. Accessed July 19, 2012.
  10. Showell MG, et al. Antioxidants for male subfertility. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007411.pub2/abstract. Accessed July 23, 2012.
  11. Patel SR, et al. Antioxidant therapy in male infertility. Urology Clinics of North America. 2008;35:319.
  12. De Celis R, et al. Semen quality of workers occupationally exposed to hydrocarbons. Fertility and Sterility. 2000;73:221.
  13. Swan SH. Semen quality in fertile US men in relation to geographical area and pesticide exposure exposed to hydrocarbons. International Journal of Andrology. 2006;26:62.
  14. El-Helaly M, et al. Workplace exposures and male infertility - A case control study. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health 2010;23:331.
  15. Murphy LE, et al. Folate and vitamin B12 in idiopathic male infertility. Asian Journal of Andrology. 2011;13:856.
  16. Lenzi A, et al. Use of carnitine therapy in selected cases of male factor infertility: A double-blind crossover trial. Fertility and Sterility. 2003;79:292.
  17. Ross C, et al. A systematic review of the effect of oral antioxidants on male infertility. Reproductive BioMedicine Online. 2010;20:711.
  18. Menezeo Y, et al. Antioxidants to reduce sperm DNA fragmentation: An unexpected adverse effect. Reproductive BioMedicine Online. 2007;14:418.
DS01038 Sept. 15, 2012

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