Supplements to Get Pregnant: The Real Differences Between the Formulas on the Market

What nutrition can really do for female fertility

Before talking about supplements, you need to understand a biological mechanism that is often overlooked: the follicles that will take part in your next cycle's ovulation actually start preparing 3 months in advance. This is known as follicular maturation. It means that supplementation started today influences egg quality in 3 months' time, not tomorrow.

This is why most experts recommend starting any fertility supplementation at least 3 months before you begin trying to conceive. Diet alone is often not enough to cover your needs in certain key micronutrients: vitamin B9 intake is frequently insufficient in women of childbearing age, and vitamin D is often lacking within the French population.

Fertility supplements do not "trigger" a pregnancy. What they do is optimise the hormonal and cellular terrain to maximise the chances of natural conception. This nuance matters, both to avoid raising false expectations and to make sure you don't skip proper medical follow-up when it's needed.

The truly useful active ingredients in a female fertility supplement

The market is full of formulas that pile up 20 ingredients at token doses. What matters is selecting the right actives at the right dosages. Here are the nutrients whose effectiveness is best documented for female fertility.

Methylated vitamin B9 (folate) is the essential cornerstone. It is involved in cell division, DNA quality and egg maturation. The methylated form (5-MTHF, Quatrefolic®) is directly absorbable, unlike standard folic acid, which requires an enzymatic conversion that is often insufficient.

CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10) is among the most studied actives in relation to egg quality. According to the available research, it is thought to play a role in energy production within the mitochondria of the eggs, whose activity declines with age. Clinical studies use dosages between 200 and 600 mg per day. Below 150 mg, the effect is marginal.

NAC (N-acetylcysteine) is an antioxidant and a precursor of glutathione, studied for its role against oxidative stress. It is often mentioned for women with PCOS or endometriosis, conditions in which oxidative stress is higher.

The other actives to look for in a female fertility formula:

• Zinc bisglycinate: supports hormonal function and egg quality
• Myo-inositol: the go-to active for PCOS, it contributes to insulin sensitivity and cycle regularity
• Vitamin D: involved in hormonal regulation and endometrial receptivity
• Iodine: essential for thyroid function, a key fertility factor

Male fertility: why men are so often overlooked

Fertility is a 50/50 matter. Yet male supplementation is still only marginally discussed. The truth is that sperm quality (concentration, motility, morphology) is directly influenced by a man's nutritional status, and sperm maturation also takes around 3 months.

The best-documented actives for supporting male fertility are:

• Zinc: contributes to normal spermatogenesis and to maintaining adequate testosterone levels
• Selenium: an antioxidant that protects sperm from oxidative damage, involved in motility
• CoQ10: linked to improved sperm motility and concentration in several meta-analyses
• Vitamins C and E: overall antioxidant protection of the semen
• Folic acid: a role in the quality of sperm DNA

A man who starts a course of fertility supplements alongside his partner maximises the couple's chances of conception. It is a lever that is often underused, even though the scientific data on the impact of nutrition on male fertility is solid.

Jolly Mama and fertility: a look at the range's products

Jolly Mama has developed a fertility range designed for both partners, with a clear positioning: targeted actives at the doses actually used in clinical studies, not catch-all formulas.

The Jolly Mama fertility range includes several complementary products:

• Ovo+: a female fertility supplement focused on egg quality (CoQ10, NAC, zinc, tryptophan)
• Cocooning+ Men: a male fertility supplement, with zinc, selenium and targeted antioxidants for spermatogenesis
• Baby Bump: a prenatal multivitamin with Quatrefolic®, DHA and choline, recommended in combination with Ovo+
• Myo-Powder: pure myo-inositol for PCOS or irregular-cycle profiles

What sets the Jolly Mama approach apart is the deliberate pairing of Ovo+ and Baby Bump. Ovo+ targets egg quality with antioxidants at clinical doses, but contains no vitamin B9. Baby Bump provides the folate (Quatrefolic®), DHA and vitamins essential for preconception. The two products are formulated to work together, with no overlap or risk of cross-dosing.

Customer reviews on Trustpilot reflect positive feedback on the fertility range, mainly regarding digestive tolerance, perceived energy and adherence. Conception depends on many factors and cannot be attributed to a food supplement: this feedback reflects a usage experience and does not constitute a promise of results.

Jolly Mama Ovo+: review and detailed analysis of the formula

Ovo+ is built around a clear formulation choice: concentrating the formula on the best-documented antioxidant actives, at the dosages actually used in clinical trials, rather than multiplying ingredients at token doses.

The composition per daily dose (2 capsules):

• CoQ10: 300 mg: a clinically relevant dosage for egg quality, well above most competing formulas, which cap out at 60-100 mg
• NAC (N-acetylcysteine): 600 mg: the dose used in clinical studies on PCOS and egg quality
• L-tryptophan: 100 mg: an active included for its role in follicular melatonin, involved in egg maturation
• Zinc bisglycinate: 5 mg: a highly bioavailable form, compatible with a multivitamin without any risk of overdose

This positioning comes with an accepted trade-off: on its own, Ovo+ does not cover all preconception micronutrient needs (no B9, no vitamin D). Jolly Mama explicitly recommends pairing it with Baby Bump for complete coverage.

Ovo+ is compatible with an ART (assisted reproduction) journey, PCOS and endometriosis, and can be continued through to breastfeeding. Price: 30€/month for a one-off purchase, 25,50€/month on subscription (-15%). Available on the official Jolly Mama website with the code LMC for -15% on your first order.

How to choose your fertility supplement based on your profile

There is no one-size-fits-all formula for getting pregnant. The right choice depends on your profile, your cycle and what you are already taking elsewhere.

PCOS or irregular-cycle profile: myo-inositol is the reference active, with clinical data on cycle regularity and ovulation. Pair it with a multivitamin covering B9 and vitamin D.

High oxidative stress profile (endometriosis, over 35, history of miscarriage): clinical-dose antioxidant actives (CoQ10 300 mg, NAC 600 mg) are the priority. Jolly Mama's Ovo+ is the most coherent formula in this segment on the French market.

Generalist profile (recently started trying, regular cycle, good diet): a solid preconception multivitamin with methylated vitamin B9, vitamin D, iodine and zinc covers the essentials. Baby Bump can work as a standalone base or in combination with Ovo+.

Couple profile: remember to include male supplementation from the moment you start trying. Jolly Mama's Cocooning+ Men, or any supplement containing zinc, selenium and CoQ10, is a relevant choice.

To go further on choosing pregnancy vitamins once you are expecting, see our pregnancy vitamins comparison, which analyses the 5 most complete formulas on the French market.

FAQ: your questions about supplements to get pregnant

When should you start a fertility supplement before getting pregnant?
Ideally 3 months before you start trying, to cover the full egg maturation cycle. If you are starting to try immediately, begin supplementation as soon as possible.

How long should you take a fertility supplement?
Most experts recommend a course of at least 3 months, renewable for as long as you keep trying. Ovo+ can be continued through to breastfeeding, according to Jolly Mama.

Are fertility supplements compatible with an ART (assisted reproduction) journey?
Yes for most of them, but always tell your doctor or fertility team before starting or changing any supplementation. Ovo+ is explicitly flagged by Jolly Mama as compatible with assisted reproduction.

Should men supplement too?
Yes, and it is often neglected. Sperm maturation takes 3 months, exactly like eggs. Male supplementation with zinc, selenium and CoQ10 can improve sperm motility and morphology.

Do you need a prescription to buy a fertility supplement?
No, fertility supplements such as Ovo+ are available without a prescription. However, if you have been trying for more than 12 months (or 6 months after the age of 35), a full medical check-up remains essential.

Scientific references

• Bentov Y. et al., The use of mitochondrial nutrients to improve the outcome of infertility treatment in older patients, Fertility and Sterility, 2010
• Unfer V. et al., Myo-inositol effects in women with PCOS: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Endocrine Connections, 2017
• Anses, Vitamine B9 ou acide folique, 2020: https://www.anses.fr
• Florou P. et al., Does coenzyme Q10 supplementation improve fertility outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology?, Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2020
• Safarinejad M.R., Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 on semen parameters, sperm function and reproductive hormones in infertile men, Journal of Urology, 2009