NAD+ therapy and fertility: doctors weigh potential amid celebrity hype

NAD+ therapy, popular among celebrities for anti-aging promises, is drawing attention from fertility specialists who say it could serve as a supplemental option for older patients, but there is no proven link to boosting fertility at this time. The treatment is most commonly delivered via IV drip, but it can also be taken as injections or oral supplements. While fans claim benefits ranging from improved energy to better skin, scientists caution that the evidence linking NAD+ to fertility remains limited and preliminary.

New York City's Advitam clinic and other longevity practitioners point to NAD+'s two primary roles: energy metabolism and cell signaling and repair. Jamie Gabel, PA-C, Clinical Director for Advitam at the Shafer Clinic in NYC, described NAD+ as shuttling electrons in cellular respiration to help cells make ATP, while enzymes in the molecule regulate DNA repair, stress responses, circadian rhythms and inflammation. He noted that most mechanistic work and aging studies have been in animals, with human data still limited. In aging mice, NAD+ precursors have shown the ability to restore mitochondrial function, reduce oxidative stress, and improve egg quality, and researchers say NAD+ also plays a role in regulating ovarian aging, follicle maturation and DNA repair. Despite these signals, experts caution that NAD+ should not replace IVF or other proven fertility treatments, but may serve as an adjunct therapy for certain patients.

Dr. Lamees Hamdan, integrative medical doctor and founder of Timebeam Beauty, told Daily Mail that NAD+ could be beneficial for those conceiving at an advanced maternal age and would likely be recommended as a supplement rather than via IV drips. She noted that, while human trials are limited, animal data show NAD+ can influence egg quality and embryo resilience. She also suggested NAD+ supplements may benefit men by improving sperm integrity, and predicted NAD+ boosters could become a mainstay for older couples seeking healthier eggs and sperm. Hamdan emphasized choosing high-quality oral NAD+ boosters over IV administration when used for fertility purposes.

Jamie Gabel echoed a cautious stance, pointing out that while mouse studies show NAD+ precursors such as NMN and NR can restore mitochondrial function, reduce oxidative stress and improve egg quality, there is not yet robust evidence in humans. He described NAD+ as a key regulator of mitochondrial health that could influence egg quality and ovarian reserve, but cautioned that it should be viewed as an adjunct rather than a replacement for established fertility treatments. The potential benefit appears most relevant for women with advanced maternal age or diminished ovarian reserve, pending more definitive human data.

A June feature for Popsugar recounted Amanda Lauren's experience with NAD+ therapy in the context of fertility. Lauren described how NAD+ treatment coincided with a doubling of her egg count after several failed IUIs and IVF cycles, and she subsequently conceived naturally, delivering a healthy baby girl. While her account is anecdotal, it has contributed to ongoing interest among patients exploring complementary approaches to fertility.

Presently, experts emphasize that NAD+ remains investigational in the fertility space. While the therapy is widely used for other purposes and some clinics promote it as a fertility aid, solid human trials are sparse, and most evidence comes from animal studies. Clinicians recommend consulting a fertility specialist before pursuing NAD+ therapy as part of a conception plan and caution against viewing NAD+ boosters as a substitute for proven treatments. The consensus among doctors is that if NAD+ is used, it should be as part of a broader, evidence-based strategy tailored to the individual, rather than as a first-line solution for infertility.