Omega-3 fatty acids
Written by Fertility Decoded. Reviewed by D R, MS (OBG), FRM. Review date: 31 August 2026.
The verdict
Inconsistent evidence for fertility specifically (stronger, separate evidence exists for pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth).
Fish-oil-derived fatty acids (EPA/DHA), marketed broadly for "reproductive health."
What the evidence shows
No subfertility-specific Cochrane review found (Cochrane's strongest omega-3 evidence is for preventing preterm birth in pregnancy, a different claim). A recent meta-analysis on fertility specifically found a signal for pregnancy/fertilization rate but with high heterogeneity across studies.
Evidence tier
Non-Cochrane evidence🟡 Smaller systematic reviews/meta-analyses or RCTs exist, no Cochrane-grade synthesis. Emerging, not proven.
Frequently asked questions
- Fertility-specific evidence is inconsistent (a meta-analysis found a signal but high heterogeneity). Stronger, separate evidence exists for pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth — a different claim.
Do omega-3s improve fertility?
Sources
Take this further
Sources last reviewed .