Can Geritol Boost Fertility?

Geritol, a brand of vitamin and mineral supplements, has been touted by some as a way to help boost fertility. It is an over-the-counter product available in both liquid and pill form.

There is no scientific evidence to support that Geritol can increase your chances of conceiving, nor does the manufacturer make any fertility claims. They also make clear that Geritol is not formulated to meet the needs of people who are pregnant or nursing.

This article explains Geritol's use and the medically proven ways to improve fertility. It also offers a side-by-side comparison of the vitamins in Geritol with some commonly formulated prenatal vitamin dosages.

Geritol vs. Prenatal Vitamins

Geritol is a multivitamin designed to meet the needs of adults based on the general recommendations for vitamin and mineral intake. The manufacturer states that their products are not formulated with pregnant people’s needs in mind.

Prenatal vitamins are specifically formulated to meet the needs of pregnant people. Some vitamins and minerals—like folic acid, iron, and calcium—are needed in high amounts while pregnant and nursing, and prenatal vitamins provide those supplemental nutrients.

There is no standard formulation for prenatal vitamins, but most contain the vitamins and minerals in the example found in the following table. They're also likely to contain omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and B6, and higher concentrations of folic acid and iron than regular supplements. 

You could choose to take Geritol as a multivitamin while trying to conceive and during pregnancy, but it hasn’t been created for that purpose, so it may not be the best choice.

Discuss with your healthcare provider which supplement would be best to meet your needs to support your health while trying to conceive and during pregnancy.

Geritol, Vitamins, and Fertility

Taking a multivitamin supports your health and helps to prevent nutrient deficiencies, which could make it more difficult to become pregnant. It’s not accurate, however, to say that taking a multivitamin like Geritol could increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

Folic acid is an important vitamin for people who could become pregnant. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps with the development of the spine during pregnancy.

When there is a lack of folic acid in the body while pregnant, a condition called neural tube defects can happen. Neural tube defects are severe birth defects of the brain and spine. One example of neural tube defects is spina bifida, which is when the lower part of the spine doesn’t completely close during in utero development.

Research shows that the neural tube develops early during pregnancy, in the first two to four weeks. Many people don’t find out they are pregnant until at least four weeks into their pregnancy, so taking a vitamin supplement with adequate folic acid is important if you're trying or able to conceive.

Risks of Vitamins

For most people, as long as you aren’t taking mass doses of vitamins and minerals, there aren’t any risks to daily vitamin and mineral supplements. Daily multivitamins like Geritol are created with the intention for daily use when taken in recommended dosages.

Some types of vitamins and minerals are stored in the body. A few examples of those stored in the body include:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Magnesium
• Chloride

Taking large doses of these vitamins and minerals could cause a buildup in the body and result in vitamin toxicity.

Increasing Fertility

Geritol makes no claims about boosting your fertility. But one of the best ways to increase your chances of becoming pregnant is to practice consistent healthy habits, including:

• Eating nutritious foods
• Exercising
• Getting enough sleep
• Managing stress

Maintaining a healthy body helps make it easier to become pregnant and increases the chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Remember, though, that becoming pregnant can take time. Even people who practice healthy habits consistently can struggle to conceive.

You can also increase your chances of becoming pregnant by learning about your menstrual cycle and when you ovulate, so you know when your fertile window is during the month.

Summary

There is no research to support the claims that Geritol will help you to become pregnant, and Geritol is not formulated to meet the needs of people who are pregnant or nursing. You could take Geritol while you are trying to conceive, but you should discuss with your practitioner if it is the best option for you.

Your healthcare provider may recommend a different dietary supplement to best meet your needs based on your specific medical history. You can also help increase your chances of becoming pregnant by learning more about healthy habits and when you are in your fertile window.

It’s normal for it to take six to 12 months of trying before becoming pregnant. If trying to conceive has taken more than a year and you have concerns, consider a fertility evaluation and a healthcare provider's help in finding solutions.