Best Supplements When Trying to Conceive: Our Recommendations

The time around trying to conceive is a special phase of life for many couples – and a good occasion to take a conscious look at your own diet and nutrient supply. In family planning, the aim is to create a solid basis for both partners, because fertility is not purely a women's topic: the nutrient supply of both partners plays a role. Under EU law, certain nutrients contribute to normal fertility and reproduction, others support the hormonal balance or blood formation. This is exactly where it is worth distinguishing between evidence-based nutrient claims and traditionally valued plants, instead of following every promise. In this guide we therefore put into context what really matters here, and present suitable products from the Scheunengut range – each for the partner they suit best. Important: this is exclusively about the general nutrient supply in the area of family planning, not about treating complaints or unfulfilled desire for children.

What matters for the goal of trying to conceive

At the centre are a few nutrients with clearly authorised EU health claims. Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction, has a role in the process of cell division and additionally contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood – making it equally relevant for women and men and one of the best-evidenced building blocks in this field. Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis and is therefore a classic building block for the male part of family planning. Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity, which is often desired precisely for the female cycle balance, and additionally contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Another key nutrient is folate (folic acid): it contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy and to normal blood formation and has a role in the process of cell division. Professional bodies expressly recommend a good folate supply as early as before pregnancy begins – that is, as early as possible in the planning phase. Finally, iodine contributes to normal thyroid function and to the normal production of thyroid hormones, which play a central role in the entire hormonal balance.

In addition, various plants are traditionally valued in family planning – such as chaste tree, lady's mantle, saffron or the adaptogenic plant ashwagandha. These plants have long been used traditionally, but have no authorised health-related nutrient claim; their role in the formulations is explained by their history of use, not by an official claim. In practice, this means for couples: a good basic supply of zinc, selenium, B6, folate and iodine is sensible, supplemented by traditionally valued plants according to personal preference – and always matched to which building block suits which partner.

Our product recommendations

PMS-Intenso cycle complex with zinc, vitamin C & B6

This gentle complex combines the traditionally used plants chaste tree, silverweed, lady's mantle and saffron with zinc, vitamin C and vitamin B6. Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction, vitamin B6 to the regulation of hormonal activity – two building blocks that are often desired precisely in the female cycle routine.

For women who want to consciously accompany their cycle routine during the family-planning phase, this is a well-thought-out starting point: it combines the evidence-based nutrient claims of zinc and B6 with a bundle of traditionally valued women's herbs in a lab-tested formulation.

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Fadogia strength complex with ashwagandha & zinc

For the male part, this complex bundles Fadogia agrestis and the traditionally used adaptogenic plant ashwagandha with zinc. Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction as well as to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood – so the evidence-based claims here come from the zinc it contains.

The product is thus aimed at men who want to specifically strengthen their nutrient base during the family-planning phase and rely on the traditionally valued plants fadogia and ashwagandha. The daily dose of 1000 mg makes it a clearly dosed building block for the male part.

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Schilddrüse-Intenso with iodine, selenium & thyme

This complex provides iodine and selenium, optimised with traditionally used thyme. Iodine contributes to normal thyroid function, selenium to normal spermatogenesis and likewise to normal thyroid function. This complex thus unites two nutrients with clear EU claims that are relevant in this context.

Because the thyroid is closely linked to the entire hormonal balance, this complex is a supplement worth considering for both partners – for the man especially because of the selenium claim on spermatogenesis, for both because of thyroid function.

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Innere Balance with folic acid, St. John's wort & valerian

The path to a wished-for child can be emotionally demanding. This complex combines the traditionally used plants St. John's wort, valerian and passionflower with folic acid. Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy and to normal blood formation – a nutrient that professional bodies expressly recommend as early as before pregnancy.

This building block thus combines the early-important folate claim with a bundle of traditionally valued calming herbs – interesting for women who, in this phase of life, place value on a good folate supply and want to accompany their routine consciously.

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Basics first

The best basis for family planning is a healthy everyday life – for both partners. A balanced, varied diet with plenty of vegetables, high-quality fats, wholegrain products and sufficient protein delivers most nutrients by itself. A healthy body weight, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, little alcohol and giving up smoking are among the most important levers. A conscious approach to stress can also make this phase of life more pleasant, because tension and the pressure of expectation accompany many couples on the way to a wished-for child. So deliberately allow yourselves breaks and keep an eye on shared time, instead of letting family planning become a task on its own.

On this foundation, food supplementation is a targeted addition, not a substitute. A good folate supply is expressly recommended by professional bodies for women who wish to conceive – here it is worth looking at your supply early, ideally a few weeks before a planned pregnancy. Zinc, selenium, B6 and iodine round off the nutrient base for both partners, while traditionally valued plants add to it according to personal preference. In doing so, take care to select products by partner and not to take individual nutrients in double high doses. If the desire to conceive remains unfulfilled over a longer period, if you take medication or have pre-existing conditions, a medical consultation is the right next step: talk to a doctor before taking new preparations in this phase.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which nutrients have an EU claim in family planning?

Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction, selenium to normal spermatogenesis, vitamin B6 to the regulation of hormonal activity and folate to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. Iodine supports normal thyroid function.

From when should I pay attention to folate?

Professional bodies recommend a good folate supply as early as before pregnancy begins. Anyone planning a family should therefore turn their attention to it early – ideally a few weeks in advance.

Are there products for men?

Yes. The Fadogia strength complex with zinc and the thyroid complex with selenium are aimed at the male part, since zinc contributes to normal reproduction and selenium to normal spermatogenesis.

What does chaste tree do?

Chaste tree is traditionally used in European herbal lore in connection with the female cycle. There is no authorised health-related nutrient claim, but the history of use is long.

Can I take several products at the same time?

A combination is possible in principle, but should be matched to the two partners and their respective recommended intake. Avoid doubling up on individual nutrients, for example when zinc or folate is contained in several products, and stick to the information on the packaging.

Does diet play a role?

Yes, very much. A balanced, varied diet with plenty of vegetables, high-quality fats, wholegrains and sufficient protein is the actual foundation and delivers most nutrients by itself. A healthy weight, exercise, good sleep, little alcohol and giving up smoking are among the most important levers for both partners. Food supplementation only steps in where gaps remain in everyday life.

Are the recommendations for women or for men?

For both, depending on the building block. The PMS-Intenso cycle complex and Innere Balance with folic acid are aimed at women, the Fadogia strength complex with zinc at men. The thyroid complex with iodine and selenium is interesting for both partners. So choose the products specifically by partner and best coordinate them together, so that both sides of family planning are taken into account.

How long should I pay attention to the nutrient supply?

In family planning, an early and continuous look at the supply is sensible. Especially with folate, professional bodies recommend starting as early as before a planned pregnancy. Stick to the recommended intake and involve your medical care for any questions.