Vitamin C and Fertility
• Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, and studies show
The results of this preliminary study suggest that
that vitamin C enhances sperm quality, protecting
vitamin C improves hormone levels and increases
sperm and the DNA within it from damage. Some
fertility in some women with luteal phase defect. (3)
research has indicated that certain types of DNA
damage in the sperm can make it difficult to conceive
• Vitamin C may benefit fertility in its ability to promote
in the first place, or it can cause an increased risk of
collagen synthesis, its role in hormone production and
miscarriage if conception does take place. If DNA is
its ability protect cells from free radicals. (4)
damaged, there may be a chromosomal problem in
the baby, should the pregnancy proceed. Whether
• As in males vitamin C has been suggested
or not DNA damage does have these effects has not
as a regulator of female fertility. Vitamin C
been conclusively proven, but it’s worth taking vitamin
supplementation enhances the ovulation-inducing
C and the other antioxidants as a precautionary
effects of clomiphene by an apparently local ovarian
Vitamin C also appears to keep the sperm from
• Large quantities of vitamin C are utilized during
clumping together, making them more motile.
One study has shown that women taking the drug
• conception and are necessary to maintain
clomiphene to stimulate ovulation will have a better
the integrity of fetal membranes. Dietary
chance of ovulating if vitamin C is taken alongside
supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the
the drug. Clomiphene does not always work in every
frequency of birth defects and a daily supplement
woman, but the chances are often increased when
of at least 500 mg of vitamin C starting as early
in pregnancy as possible has been suggested for
• A moderate amount of supplemental vitamin C
improves hormone levels and increases fertility in
• The Vitamin C Connection reports that Dr. Ingarshi
women with luteal phase defect, according to a new
treated forty-two women with differing ovarian
study published in Fertility and Sterility (2003;80:459–
problems. Clomiphene citrate, a popular fertility
drug of the time, had failed to help these women
who produced no fertile eggs (anovulation) or had no
• One hundred fifty women with luteal phase
menstrual period (amenorrheic). Of these forty-two
defect seeking medical attention for infertility were
women, 40% began to ovulate and 21% later became
enrolled in the current study. Levels of estrogen and
pregnant. Dr. Igarashi observes that “the possible
progesterone were monitored for three menstrual
site of action of ascorbic acid seems to be at the
cycles. The participants were randomly assigned to
receive 750 mg of vitamin C per day or no treatment
beginning at the onset of the third cycle of the study.
• These findings lead to the conclusion that Sesamum
During the third cycle, progesterone levels increased
indicum + Vitamin C promote fertility due to both their
significantly in women receiving vitamin C but did not
testosterone-increasing effects and their antioxidant
change in women receiving no treatment. Estrogen
levels also increased in the treatment group but
• A low intake of antioxidant nutrients was associated
not the untreated group. Moreover, there was a
with a poor semen quality in this case-control study of
significantly higher pregnancy rate in the vitamin
Spanish men attending infertility clinics. (10)
C group than in the untreated group: 25% of the
women receiving vitamin C became pregnant within
six months of starting treatment, while only 11% of
untreated women became pregnant in the same time
References: 1. Dr. Marilyn Glenville
7. “Ascorbic Acid and Fertility”, Luck, Martin R., et al,
Biology of Reproduction, 1995;52:262-266.
8. Dr. Masao Igarashi Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, School of Medicine, Gunma University,
4. “Ascorbic Acid and Fertility”, Luck, Martin R., et al,
Biology of Reproduction, 1995;52:262-266.
9. Efficacy of vitamin C and ethanolic extract of
5. “Ascorbic Acid and Fertility”, Luck, Martin R., et al,
Biology of Reproduction, 1995;52:262-266.
6. “Ascorbic Acid and Fertility”, Luck, Martin R., et al,
Biology of Reproduction, 1995;52:262-266.
replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) once we reach the 2015 deadline. This is still an open field; for those wishing to set the parameters of the discussions and ultimately influence the outcome, the time is now. Health objectives are central to the Rachel Kiddell-Monroe MDGs, but the discussions on the future of MDGs Bryan Collinsworth mostly take place outside health forum