In this article, we’ll dive into the facts about N-acetyl-L-cysteine, or NAC, and if it can help you get pregnant.
By fertility warrior and women’s health expert Halle Tecco
N-acetyl-L-cysteine, or NAC, is a powerful antioxidant thought to reduce DNA damage. It is used as a prescription drug to treat acetaminophen overdose. Over the years, it has also been tried as a cure for many things — cancer, depression, HIV — but clinical studies are mixed. So should you take NAC for fertility?
Unfortunately, there is little evidence that N-Acetyl Cysteine supplementation improves fertility. One small study in Iran did find that NAC improved egg and embryo quality in women with PCOS undergoing IVF, but the study was small and hasn’t been replicated.
NAC for PCOS and ovulation
There is not enough compelling data to recommend NAC as a treatment for PCOS. One small study published in Fertility & Sterility compared the impact of taking N-acetyl cysteine or metformin in women with PCOS. For those who took metformin, the rate of ovulation was 51.6%. However, the N-acetyl cysteine group did not see an improvement, with an ovulation rate of only 6.7%.
However, a meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials with 910 women found that while NAC did not improve menstrual regularity, glucose, or insulin levels, it did improve rates of live births and ovulation in women with PCOS. But when compared with metformin, NAC had fewer benefits. If you are struggling with PCOS, we suggest talking to your doctor about your options.
Want to learn more? Find the full article here.
