
Fertility
Fertility supplements over 35 – make sure these top nutrients are on the label (for you & for him)
Emma Harpham in partnership with Proceive® | 5 Jul 2024
If you’re over the age of 35 and trying to conceive, targeted, high-strength supplementation should be something that’s right at the top of your game plan.
But why is this, exactly? And when it comes to fertility supplements over 35, specifically, what should we know?
We put these questions and more to the experts at Proceive®, and created an at-a-glance guide for couples.
Proceive®’s range of tailored fertility and pregnancy support supplements is award-winning – start by reading up on their science-backed fertility formula for women and how it compares to the leading high-street brand. Spoiler – it knocks it out of the park.
All caught up? Over to team Proceive®, for the latest on fertility supplements over 35.
What should we know about male and female fertility, and getting pregnant after 35?
If you’ve been trying to conceive for any length of time already, this won’t be news to you – but the process of getting pregnant after 35 – or even into your 40s – is very different from trying for a baby in your 20s.
Women generally have a higher ovarian reserve in their 20s. This means that you’ll have a larger number of eggs of better quality, and the likelihood of conceiving each month is generally higher.
In contrast, as you enter your late 30s and into your 40s, your ovarian reserve will slowly diminish, and the quality of your remaining eggs will decline too, making conception more challenging.
Similarly, men’s fertility starts to decline around 40 to 45 years of age due to a decrease in sperm quantity and quality. This can result in lower sperm motility, increased sperm DNA fragmentation, and higher chances of abnormal sperm shapes, which can impact your chances of conception.

Which specific age-related fertility concerns can we address with supplements?
Clinical research shows that women over 35 or those trying to conceive for over a year benefit significantly from additional nutritional support.
This said, focusing on supplementing for egg quality should be at the top of the agenda. While we can’t increase the number of eggs we have, we can improve their quality and potentially reduce the length of time it takes to conceive.
Other factors, like womb lining preparation and hormone balance, also inform your fertility baseline – and a healthy lifestyle and diet paired with specific nutrient supplementation is the best way to support this.
For male partners over 35, it’s all about sperm health. Supplementation has been found to be a really effective way to improve sperm health, along with a nutrient-rich diet, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful substances.
We’re speaking fairly generally here. But with the right support, sperm and egg health can be optimised in as little as 3 to 6 months. This is why it’s important to ensure you choose a supplement that is specifically designed for the stage you are at.
Fertility supplements over 35 – what are the key nutrients to look for?
For female partners
We recommend prioritising high levels of essential nutrients that aid in egg development, womb preparation, hormone regulation, and overall reproductive health.
- CoQ10 – This is a very important enzyme that helps to fight oxidative stress which can negatively impact the DNA within egg cells. It also supports the cellular energy production of the egg, and the better the egg’s ability to produce energy, the more likely it is to mature and successfully fertilise. As we get older, naturally CoQ10 levels will decline, so this is an important supplement for women over 35.
- Inositol – While similar to a B vitamin, inositol is actually a carbohydrate that plays a crucial role in hormone signalling, neurotransmitter activity, and fertility. It enhances the body’s ability to use insulin effectively, which can improve reproductive health and support overall hormonal balance.
- Choline – This is a really important nutrient for conception. It is readily available in our diets but the latest research indicates that those who are older or have been trying for a baby for over a year do benefit from additional supplementation.
- Folate – Prior to conception folate is needed to support ovulation as well as the maturation of the follicle. Folate is also important for developing DNA and proteins. Look for a supplement containing L-Methylfolate to guarantee the best possible absorption of this nutrient.
- Vitamin E – Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to improve egg quality by protecting against oxidative damage. Vitamin E also helps to reduce free radical damage to ovarian follicles.
For male partners
There are a few different factors that come into play with sperm health, and select key nutrients that provide support for each factor.
- CoQ10 – As we’ve mentioned, this is an important enzyme that helps to fight oxidative stress. Research has shown men with lower levels of Co Q10 tend to have lower sperm count and poor motility. As we get older, CoQ10 levels will naturally decline, so this is an important supplement for men over 40.
- L-Arginine – Arginine is the building block of spermatids, which are immature sperm cells. This makes it a key player in sperm production.
- L-Carnitine – L-Carnitine has important antioxidant-like properties, protecting the sperm from oxidative damage. Studies have found that L-Carnitine can improve motility and morphology.
- Zinc – Deficiency in zinc can lead to reduced numbers of sperm. Research suggests for men with poor sperm quality, count, and motility supplementing with zinc can help.
- Selenium – Selenium is a trace mineral that functions as a potent antioxidant in the body. It protects sperm against oxidative stress and damage. Selenium supports the production of sperm.
Do formulation and dosage matter, too?
In a word – yes.
Simply taking any combination of these ingredients won’t guarantee you’re getting targeted nutritional support for the full spectrum of age-related fertility challenges
The Proceive® Max range is tailored to support a fertility journey over 35 by providing all of the recommended key nutrients and more, in the right combination and dosage.

We understand the importance of nutrition for optimizing sperm and egg quality, especially when everyday life gets busy, and the Proceive® Max range is specially formulated to provide you and your partner with not just the essentials, but precisely the right levels and dosage needed for conception.
What sets the Proceive® Max range apart from the rest?
The Proceive® Max range stands out from other fertility supplements on the market due to its exceptionally high nutrient concentrations and comprehensive formulation designed to support reproductive health.
Unlike standard pre-conception vitamins, this high-potency formula is based on clinical research and offers nutrient levels that are over eight times higher than typical pre-conception supplements.
The advanced formulations tailored for both men and women include a wide range of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other essential nutrients to support conception, providing a targeted approach that puts it miles ahead of the top high-street brands.

On top of really good supplementation, what else can we do to support couples fertility over 35?
On top of quality supplementation with a tailored range like Proceive®, you and your partner can benefit from additional diet and lifestyle changes to support fertility over 35.
Get started by ensuring you’re cooking at home when you can, and aiming for a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other fertility-boosting foods.
Maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, reducing stress levels, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are also really great lifestyle tweaks you can both make.
These lifestyle adjustments complement the nutritional support provided by Proceive® Max, creating an optimal environment for conception.
There we have it – our quick couples guide to fertility supplements over 35. If you’d like to get started, hop over to the Proceive® Max products for women and for men – they’re also available in-store at Holland & Barrett and Boots, and online from Amazon.