Many over-the-counter (OTC) vitamins and supplements have been utilized for improving male fertility.
The purpose of this study is to review the effects of these OTC supplements on male fertility.
A Pub Med and Medline review of the randomized controlled studies utilizing OTC vitamins and supplements readily available in the United States over the last 3 decades was performed.
Many studies demonstrate the positive effects of OTC supplementation on semen parameters and pregnancy outcomes. Conversely, there are also many studies demonstrating a lack of improvement and potential complications with supplementation. Confounding factors include lack of standard dosing regimens, duration of treatment, and control for dietary intake.
There remains no standard to which OTC supplement and vitamin studies have been conducted or the medications dosed. Definitive conclusions as to their true effects on male subfertility and dosing regimen could not be identified.
Written by:
Ko EY, Sabanegh ES Jr. Are you the author?
Reference: J Androl. 2011 May 19. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.2164/jandrol.111.013730
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 21597088
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