Fertility FAQ: What Today’s Research Says About Nutrition, Hormones, and Reproductive Health

Fertility is no longer being viewed solely through the narrow lens of conception and pregnancy. Across the healthcare, nutrition, and dietary supplement industries, researchers and clinicians are increasingly framing reproductive wellness as part of a larger continuum of women’s health¹ that spans adolescence, reproductive years, perimenopause, and healthy aging. This broader evolution highlights how metabolic health, inflammation, mitochondrial function, hormone balance, and nutritional status may all influence fertility outcomes.

At the same time, growing consumer demand for personalized wellness solutions has accelerated innovation in fertility-focused supplements, functional ingredients, and women’s health formulations. Ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids, ubiquinol, methylated folate, and botanicals like shatavari are drawing heightened interest as scientists investigate their roles in reproductive physiology, ovarian health, and cellular energy production.

Industry thought leaders in the space are also calling attention to longstanding research gaps in women’s healthcare, particularly the need for more inclusive clinical trials and more nuanced approaches to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, which is now renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). Together, these developments are helping reshape how fertility is discussed, not as an isolated issue, but as an important component of lifelong wellness.

The following FAQ explores several of the key questions currently driving conversation in women’s reproductive health research and nutritional science.

Why Should Fertility Be Discussed as Part of Lifelong Women’s Health Rather Than Focus on Pregnancy Planning?

Experts increasingly recognize fertility as one aspect of broader ovarian and metabolic health that changes throughout a woman’s lifespan. Conversations around ovarian longevity, hormonal resilience, and healthy aging are expanding beyond conception alone. This shift also reflects growing awareness that conditions affecting fertility—such as inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormonal dysregulation—can influence overall health outcomes later in life.

“The ovary is not just a reproductive organ, it's a longevity organ. It ages before every other system in the body,” says Ayla Barmmer, MS, RD, LDN, founder and CEO of Fullwell. “And when it declines, it takes with it bone density, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function. We've spent decades really solving the wrong problems.”

Women’s health research is moving toward more comprehensive frameworks that include perimenopause, reproductive aging, and preventive care strategies rather than focusing solely on pregnancy outcomes.

“Women's health, unfortunately, has been understudied, and so far, it remains the most under researched area in our industry today. However, things are evolving…And more brands are investing in research in the women's health space,” says Kriti Chaudhary, head of business development and strategy at Vedic Lifesciences. “There are areas in which people are running clinical trials, like PCOS, like menopause, like bacterial vaginosis, basically vaginal health, like fertility. So there are various aspects of a woman's life that need to be studied, and not every supplement is the same. You can't have the same study and the same supplement for men and women. So now brands are understanding this, and they have specific studies running for women, which is great, but we still have a long way to go.”

What Does the New PMOS Terminology Mean, and Why Does It Matter?

As referenced above, the condition formerly known as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) by an international consensus group.² The updated terminology reflects a broader understanding that the condition affects multiple endocrine and metabolic systems, not just the ovaries.

“The way we name things and conditions in medicine drives what happens to those patients and outcomes,” says board-certified OB/GYN Sameena Rahman, MD, who is also the founder of the GYN & Sexual Medicine Collective. “It drives research, it drives, who takes care of that patient and in which silo in medicine is responsible for that disease. Really changing it to metabolic, understanding that this is a multi-system disease—it shifts our understanding in not only the condition, but how we treat it and who should treat it.”

“For years, the term PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) has been incredibly misleading,” says Thais Aliabadi, MD, OB/GYN, co-host of the SHE MD podcast and co-founder of the hormone and metabolic support supplement Ovii.”So many women were told they ‘have cysts on their ovaries,’ when in reality many of them do not have true ovarian cysts at all…But this condition was never just about the ovaries. PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) is a more accurate reflection of what women are actually experiencing. This is a condition involving multiple hormone systems, metabolism, insulin regulation, androgen levels, inflammation, ovulation, skin, hair, mood, fertility, and long-term health risks like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”

This change may help improve patient awareness and encourage clinicians to address insulin resistance, inflammation, cardiovascular risk, and metabolic health alongside fertility concerns. The revised framing also underscores how closely reproductive health is connected to whole-body wellness.

Which Nutrients Are Most Commonly Associated With Fertility Support?

There are several nutrients receiving attention in fertility and preconception health discussions, including:

• Folate³ and methylated folate forms
• Omega-3 fatty acids⁴
• Coenzyme Q10 and ubiquinol³
• Vitamin D
• Choline
• Iron and iodine⁵

These nutrients are often studied for their potential roles⁶ in egg quality, mitochondrial energy production, hormone regulation, fetal development, and inflammatory balance. However, experts continue to emphasize that supplements work best alongside foundational lifestyle factors such as diet quality, sleep, stress management, and metabolic health.

Why Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids Being Studied in Women’s Fertility Research?

Omega-3 fatty acids are being investigated for their potential influence on inflammation, hormone signaling, egg quality, and reproductive outcomes. Researchers are particularly interested in how EPA and DHA may support cellular membrane health⁷ and healthy inflammatory pathways that affect ovulation and implantation.

There has also been an emphasis on the importance of women-centered research, with advocates calling for more clinical studies specifically designed around female physiology and reproductive life stages.

What Is the Connection Between Mitochondrial Health and Fertility?

Mitochondria produce the energy needed for cellular function, and egg cells require especially high amounts of energy for maturation and early embryo development. Because of this, mitochondrial health has become an important area of fertility research.

Ubiquinol—the reduced, more bioavailable form of CoQ10—is being studied for its role in mitochondrial energy production and oxidative stress management. Researchers are exploring whether supporting mitochondrial function may help improve reproductive health outcomes, particularly as maternal age increases.

A recent review⁶ highlights the link between mitochondrial health and fertility. “Gametes and early embryos are among the most energy-dependent and oxidative stress-sensitive cells in human biology,” commented Dr. Emma J. Derbyshire, one of the review’s key researchers, who also acts as an independent consultant for Kaneka Nutrients Europe. “The review explains that Ubiquinol plays a dual role in reproductive physiology, driving mitochondrial bioenergetics and providing potent antioxidant support at the cellular level. These functions are critical for egg quality, sperm motility, morphology and density, oocyte competence, and early embryo development, which are key determinants of successful conception.”

Why Are Botanicals Like Shatavari Gaining Attention in Women’s Health Products?

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) has a long history of use in Ayurvedic traditions for women’s wellness and is now appearing in modern supplement and gummy formulations—including ones launched by TopGum—targeting hormonal balance and reproductive health.

“The classical texts, including the Charaka Samhita, use it as the primary herb for women’s reproductive and hormonal health across all life stages,” says Kartikeya Baldwa, CEO of Ixoreal Biomed Inc. “The name itself translates loosely to ‘she who is acceptable to many,’ which speaks to its broad versatility.”

“This is what makes shatavari so compelling to formulate with,” adds Shaheen Majeed, global CEO and managing director of Sami-Sabinsa Group. “It carries both the credibility of centuries of traditional use and a growing body of contemporary science.”

Manufacturers and formulators are increasingly interested in botanicals that may support stress response, hormonal equilibrium, and healthy reproductive function. However, experts note that clinical evidence for many botanical ingredients is still developing, and more rigorous human trials are needed to confirm efficacy and optimal dosing.

References

1. Lassi ZS, Wade JM, Ameyaw EK. Stages and future of women’s health: a call for a life-course approach. Womens Health (Lond). 2025;21:17455057251331721. doi:10.1177/17455057251331721.

2. McEvoy E. Global consensus renames PCOS to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). May 13, 2026. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/global-consensus-renames-pcos-to-polyendocrine-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome-pmos-

3. McEvoy E. The science behind women’s fertility supplements. May 12, 2026. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/the-science-behind-women-s-fertility-supplements

4. Krawiec S. How diet and dietary supplements during preconception may impact fertility. December 16, 2025. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/how-diet-and-dietary-supplements-during-preconception-may-impact-fertility

5. Frick A. Pregnancy over 35. October 9, 2024. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/pregnancy-over-35

6. Saraceno N. Ubiquinol and fertility: New review highlights mitochondrial link to reproductive health. February 11, 2026. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/ubiquinol-fertility-new-review-highlights-mitochondrial-link--reproductive-health

7. McEvoy E. What does the latest research reveal about omega-3s and human health? January 30, 2026. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/what-does-the-latest-research-reveal-about-omega-3s-and-human-health-

8. McEvoy E. What does the latest research reveal about omega-3s and human health? January 30, 2026. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/what-does-the-latest-research-reveal-about-omega-3s-and-human-health-