Comparison
Best fertility supplements in the UK
When trying to conceive, the NHS recommends a daily 400 microgram folic acid supplement, started before conception and continued to 12 weeks, plus a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement. Those two are the evidence-based essentials. Conception multivitamins bundle them with extras such as zinc, selenium or CoQ10, but a longer nutrient list is not proof a product improves fertility. Below we compare named UK conception supplements on format and who each suits. This is information, not medical advice.
Start with the NHS essentials
Before comparing brands, it helps to know what the evidence actually supports. The NHS recommends two supplements when trying to conceive: 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, ideally from before you conceive until 12 weeks of pregnancy, and 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily. Everything a good conception supplement does starts from covering these two clearly.
Conception and fertility blends usually add other nutrients on top. Some carry authorised EFSA nutrient claims, for example zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction, but an authorised claim for a nutrient is not the same as evidence that a particular product improves your chances of conceiving. Treat "fertility boosting" marketing with caution.
At a glance
| Brand and product | Format | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnacare, Conception | Tablet (multi) | Wanting a widely stocked all-in-one for trying to conceive |
| Proceive, Women | Capsule / sachet (multi) | Wanting a comprehensive conception blend |
| Wild Nutrition, Fertility Support For Women | Capsule (food-grown) | Preferring a food-grown format |
| Zita West, Vitafem | Tablet (multi) | Wanting a fertility-focused brand |
The shortlist
What to look for when buying
- The two supplements the NHS actually recommends when trying to conceive are 400 micrograms of folic acid daily (from before conception until 12 weeks) and 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily; check any conception product covers both.
- Conception blends often add nutrients such as zinc, selenium, CoQ10 and myo-inositol. Zinc has an authorised EFSA claim that it contributes to normal fertility and reproduction, but a mix of extra ingredients is not proof a product improves your chances of conceiving.
- Read the label for the folic acid and vitamin D amounts rather than trusting the word "conception" or "fertility" on the front.
- Some women, for example those with a higher BMI, diabetes or a family history of neural tube defects, are advised a higher 5 milligram folic acid dose by their GP; that is a prescription decision, not a shop purchase. If you have been trying for a while, speak to your GP.
A conception multivitamin overlaps heavily with a pregnancy one, so once you are pregnant compare the best prenatal vitamins in the UK. Not sure a broad blend is worth it? See do you need a multivitamin and the best multivitamin for women. Unfamiliar terms are explained in our supplement glossary.
How we compared
Our methodology is disclosed and consistent. We shortlist real UK conception and fertility supplements, then check each covers the folic acid and vitamin D the NHS advises before comparing them on format and who each suits. We do not rank by affiliate commission, and we do not accept payment for a favourable placing. Where a buying link is not yet live, it is marked as pending rather than guessed.
Frequently asked questions
What supplements actually help when trying to conceive?
The NHS recommends a daily 400 microgram folic acid supplement while trying to conceive and until 12 weeks of pregnancy, to help prevent neural tube defects, plus a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement. These two are the evidence-based essentials. Beyond them, a varied diet and a healthy weight matter most.
Do fertility multivitamins improve your chances of conceiving?
A conception blend is a convenient way to cover the folic acid and vitamin D the NHS advises, but a longer nutrient list is not proof it improves fertility. Some ingredients have authorised EFSA nutrient claims, for example zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction, but that is a general nutrient statement, not evidence that a specific product helps you conceive. If you have been trying for a while, speak to your GP.
How did you choose these?
We shortlisted real UK conception and fertility supplement brands, then compared them on format and who each suits, checking each covers the folic acid and vitamin D the NHS advises. We do not rank by commission, and we add a buying link only once it is live. See our methodology below.
Do I need a fertility supplement or just folic acid and vitamin D?
For many women, a separate 400 microgram folic acid and a 10 microgram vitamin D meet the NHS recommendations at a lower cost. A conception multivitamin is a convenient way to cover both in one product, but it is not essential as long as you meet those two. Some women are advised a higher 5 milligram folic acid dose by their GP.
Are fertility supplements safe?
Products designed for conception are generally formulated within safe amounts, but do not take more than one product covering the same nutrients, as too much of some vitamins and minerals can be harmful. Check anything new with your GP or pharmacist, especially if you take other medication or have a health condition.
This is information, not medical advice, and is not a substitute for a registered clinician. When trying to conceive, follow current NHS guidance and check any supplement with your GP, midwife or pharmacist first, especially if you have been trying for a while or have a health condition.
Editor, Her Vitals
Oliver leads Her Vitals's editorial coverage of women's life-stage health and supplements. He curates and reviews existing branded products across trying to conceive, pregnancy, postnatal, perimenopause, menopause and the senior years, weighing what the evidence supports against guidance from bodies such as EFSA, the NHS and NICE, and is clear that the content is information rather than medical advice.
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Editor. Editorial review against published guidance; not a clinical review.