FertilitySmart Conceive and Proceive are UK-sold fertility supplements designed to support couples trying to conceive. The headline difference is one of formulation philosophy: FertilitySmart Conceive uses higher-dose amino acids and added botanicals in a filler-free, two-capsule vegetarian format, while Proceive provides a broader micronutrient range with folate in the L-methylfolate form, in a tiered line-up that splits by age and stage. Both ranges contain the key authorised fertility nutrients: zinc, selenium, folate and vitamin B6.
Why this comparison page exists
People searching for a head-to-head between FertilitySmart and Proceive usually want one of two things: a clear ingredient comparison, or confirmation of which product fits their priorities (cost, dose strategy, folate form, vegan status, range breadth). This page provides the ingredient and formulation facts side by side. It does not say one product is more effective than the other. That would be misleading, because both are food supplements regulated under the same UK framework and neither has been shown in head-to-head clinical trials to outperform the other.
A quick note on the Proceive range: Proceive sells a standard capsule (Proceive Men and Proceive Women) and a higher-strength sachet (Proceive Max Men and Proceive Max Women). The standard capsules are positioned for men under 40 and women under 35 with no known fertility concerns; the Max sachets are positioned for men 40 and over, women 35 and over, or anyone who has been trying to conceive for 12 months or more. To keep this a like-for-like comparison, the tables below set FertilitySmart Conceive (two capsules per day) against the equivalent Proceive standard capsule (two capsules per day). Proceive Max is referenced where its higher tier is relevant.
At-a-glance: how do the products compare?
The simplest way to read the comparison is to look at the dose strategy and the formulation. FertilitySmart Conceive sits in the higher-amino-acid camp, with more L-arginine, L-carnitine and taurine per daily serving than the Proceive standard capsules, plus botanicals such as maca, chasteberry and green tea. Proceive is broader and higher on the core micronutrients (notably zinc and selenium), uses folate in the L-methylfolate form, and offers a range tiered by age and stage.
| Attribute | FertilitySmart Conceive (for Men / for Women) | Proceive (Men / Women, standard capsule) |
|---|---|---|
| Daily serving | 2 vegetarian capsules | 2 vegan capsules (Proceive Max is a once-daily sachet) |
| Format | Vegetarian capsule, no fillers, no artificial colours, sweeteners, flavours or binders | Vegan capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose shell; magnesium stearate and silica as anti-caking agents) |
| Folate form | Folic acid, 400 µg | L-methylfolate, 400 µg |
| Allergen advice | No allergens declared on the product page | No major declared allergens on the product page. Check the current pack. |
| Suitable for vegetarians / vegans | Vegetarian | Certified vegan |
| Approach | Higher-dose amino acids plus botanicals (maca, chasteberry, green tea) | Broad micronutrient formula with L-methylfolate, tiered by age and stage |
| Range and tiers | One formula each for men and women | Standard (under 40 men / under 35 women) and Max (40+ men / 35+ women, or trying 12 months or more) |
| Where to buy | FertilitySmart direct (fertility-smart.net) | Proceive direct (proceive.com), plus Boots, Holland & Barrett, pharmacies and Amazon |
| Pricing | See current pricing on the Men's and Women's product pages | See current pricing on the Proceive Men and Proceive Women pages |
How does the men's formulation compare?
FertilitySmart Conceive for Men contains higher doses of the amino acids L-carnitine, L-arginine and taurine and more vitamin E than Proceive Men, and adds botanicals (maca, green tea and dong quai) that Proceive does not include. Proceive Men contains higher zinc (25 mg vs 15 mg) and higher selenium (200 µg vs 70 µg), a fuller B-vitamin and mineral panel, coenzyme Q10, and folate in the L-methylfolate form. Both products provide 400 µg folate and are taken as two capsules per day.
Ingredient comparison: Men's formulations (per daily serving)
| Nutrient / ingredient | FertilitySmart Conceive for Men (per 2 capsules) | Proceive Men (per 2 capsules) |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc | 15 mg (150% NRV) | 25 mg (250% NRV) |
| Selenium | 70 µg (127% NRV) | 200 µg (364% NRV) |
| Folate | 400 µg as folic acid (200% NRV) | 400 µg as L-methylfolate (200% NRV) |
| Vitamin B6 | 2 mg (143% NRV) | 10 mg (714% NRV) |
| Vitamin B12 | 6 µg (240% NRV) | 25 µg (1000% NRV) |
| Vitamin C | 120 mg (150% NRV) | 150 mg (188% NRV) |
| Vitamin E | 100 mg α-TE (natural source) | 67 mg α-TE (558% NRV) |
| L-Carnitine | 250 mg (as tartrate) | 100 mg (as N-acetyl L-carnitine) |
| L-Arginine | 300 mg | 250 mg |
| L-Taurine | 100 mg | 50 mg |
| L-Cysteine | None | 100 mg |
| L-Citrulline | None | 50 mg |
| Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) | None (women's formula only) | 25 mg |
| Maca Root Extract | 75 mg | None |
| Green Tea Extract | 50 mg | None |
| Dong Quai Extract | 50 mg | None |
| L-Acetyl | 25 mg | None |
| Beta Carotene | None | 3 mg |
| Vitamin D3 | None (women's formula only) | 17.5 µg / 700 IU (350% NRV) |
| Vitamin K1 | None | 100 µg (133% NRV) |
| Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5) | None in men's formula (B6 and B12 only) | 25 mg each (full B-complex) |
| Biotin | None | 150 µg (300% NRV) |
| Calcium / Magnesium / Iron | Magnesium and iron in women's formula only | Calcium 50 mg, Magnesium 25 mg, Iron 10 mg |
| Copper / Manganese | None | Copper 1 mg, Manganese 4 mg |
NRV = Nutrient Reference Value (UK basis). Vitamin E figures are expressed as mg α-tocopherol equivalents (α-TE) so both products are shown on the same basis. Data taken from each manufacturer's published nutritional information panel and re-verified 27 June 2026. Always check the current product label for the most up-to-date formulation.
How does the women's formulation compare?
FertilitySmart Conceive for Women contains higher doses of coenzyme Q10 (100 mg vs 25 mg), L-arginine (500 mg vs 250 mg) and magnesium (400 mg vs 50 mg) than Proceive Women, and includes chasteberry (vitex) and green tea extract, which Proceive does not. Proceive Women contains higher zinc (20 mg vs 15 mg) and selenium (200 µg vs 70 µg), a fuller B-vitamin panel, vitamin C, and additional micronutrients including iodine, chromium, copper and boron, with folate in the L-methylfolate form. Both products provide 400 µg folate, the level recommended for women planning to conceive.
Ingredient comparison: Women's formulations (per daily serving)
| Nutrient / ingredient | FertilitySmart Conceive for Women (per 2 capsules) | Proceive Women (per 2 capsules) |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc | 15 mg (150% NRV) | 20 mg (200% NRV) |
| Selenium | 70 µg (127% NRV) | 200 µg (364% NRV) |
| Folate | 400 µg as folic acid (200% NRV) | 400 µg as L-methylfolate (200% NRV) |
| Vitamin B6 | 6 mg (429% NRV) | 10 mg (714% NRV) |
| Vitamin B12 | 12 µg (480% NRV) | 25 µg (1000% NRV) |
| Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) | 100 mg | 25 mg |
| L-Arginine | 500 mg | 250 mg |
| Chasteberry (Vitex) | 400 mg | None |
| Green Tea Extract | 180 mg | None |
| N-Acetyl L-Carnitine | None | 100 mg |
| L-Cysteine / L-Citrulline | None | 100 mg / 50 mg |
| Magnesium | 400 mg (107% NRV) | 50 mg (13% NRV) |
| Iron | 9 mg (64% NRV) | 10 mg (71% NRV) |
| Vitamin C | None | 150 mg (188% NRV) |
| Vitamin D3 | 500 IU (12.5 µg) | 17.5 µg / 700 IU (350% NRV) |
| Vitamin E | Included (see label) | 67 mg α-TE (558% NRV) |
| Vitamin K1 | None | 50 µg (67% NRV) |
| Thiamin (B1) | 1 mg (91% NRV) | 25 mg (2273% NRV) |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 1 mg (71% NRV) | 25 mg (1786% NRV) |
| Niacin (B3) | 14 mg (88% NRV) | 25 mg (156% NRV) |
| Pantothenic Acid (B5) | 5 mg (83% NRV) | 25 mg (417% NRV) |
| Biotin | 30 µg (60% NRV) | 150 µg (300% NRV) |
| Calcium | None | 100 mg (13% NRV) |
| Copper | None | 1 mg (100% NRV) |
| Iodine | None | 50 µg (33% NRV) |
| Chromium / Molybdenum / Boron | None | Chromium 100 µg, Molybdenum 5 µg, Boron 1 mg |
NRV = Nutrient Reference Value (UK basis). Data taken from each manufacturer's published nutritional information panel and re-verified 27 June 2026. Where the FertilitySmart product label states a nutrient is "included" without a fixed figure, that is shown as such. Always check the current product label for the most up-to-date formulation.
What about authorised health claims?
Under UK food law (which retains authorised health claims via the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register), only certain claims may be made for specific nutrients. Both FertilitySmart Conceive and Proceive contain nutrients that qualify for the key fertility-relevant authorised claims listed below. No food supplement, from any brand, can legally claim to treat, cure or prevent infertility or any other condition.
| Nutrient | Authorised claim (GB Register wording) | FertilitySmart | Proceive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc | "Contributes to normal fertility and reproduction" / "Contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood" | Eligible (15 mg in both Men's and Women's products) | Eligible (25 mg Men, 20 mg Women) |
| Selenium | "Contributes to normal spermatogenesis" | Eligible (70 µg in Men's product) | Eligible (200 µg in Men's product) |
| Folate / Folic Acid | "Contributes to normal amino acid synthesis"; supplemental folate intake of 400 µg/day for at least 1 month before and 3 months after conception increases maternal folate status | Eligible (400 µg as folic acid) | Eligible (400 µg as L-methylfolate) |
| Vitamin B6 | "Contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity" | Eligible (2 to 6 mg) | Eligible (10 mg) |
Proceive provides its folate as L-methylfolate, while FertilitySmart provides folic acid. Both deliver 400 µg per daily serving and both qualify for the authorised folate claims. L-methylfolate is the form the body uses directly, whereas folic acid is converted to it in the body; the authorised claims apply to folate regardless of form.
Who is each product likely to suit?
The best preconception supplement is the one you'll actually take consistently for at least three months. Cost, dose strategy, folate form, vegan status and range breadth all matter. Below is a factual summary of who tends to gravitate to each.
You may prefer Proceive if:
You want a broader micronutrient formula with higher zinc and selenium and a fuller B-vitamin and mineral panel. You want folate in the L-methylfolate form. You want a certified-vegan capsule. You want coenzyme Q10 and a full B-complex included in the men's formula. You want a range tiered by age and stage, with a standard formula for those under 40 (men) or under 35 (women) and a Max formula for men 40 and over, women 35 and over, or anyone trying to conceive for 12 months or more. You like being able to buy from Boots, Holland & Barrett, pharmacies or Amazon as well as direct.
You may prefer FertilitySmart Conceive if:
You want higher amino-acid doses (L-arginine, L-carnitine and taurine in the men's product; L-arginine 500 mg in the women's). You want a higher coenzyme Q10 dose in the women's formula (100 mg vs 25 mg) and higher magnesium (400 mg vs 50 mg). You want botanicals such as maca, chasteberry (vitex), dong quai and green tea. You want a filler-free vegetarian capsule with no artificial colours, sweeteners, flavours or binders. You prefer to order direct from a UK brand refined since 2007, with the Pregnancy Success Offer attached to multi-month bundles.
Frequently asked questions
Is FertilitySmart Conceive the same as Proceive?
No. They are different products from different manufacturers with different formulations. FertilitySmart Conceive is made by FertilitySmart (UK) and sold direct via fertility-smart.net. Proceive is an Irish brand, manufactured in the UK, sold direct and through Boots, Holland & Barrett, pharmacies and Amazon. Both ranges contain the authorised fertility nutrients (zinc, selenium, folate, vitamin B6) but at different doses and alongside different additional ingredients. Proceive provides its folate as L-methylfolate; FertilitySmart provides folic acid.
What is the difference between Proceive and Proceive Max?
Proceive Men and Proceive Women are the standard capsules, taken as two capsules a day and positioned for men under 40 and women under 35 with no known fertility concerns. Proceive Max Men and Proceive Max Women are a higher-strength sachet (a powder mixed into a drink) with 33 nutrients, positioned for men 40 and over, women 35 and over, or anyone who has been trying to conceive for 12 months or more. The comparison tables on this page use the standard Proceive capsules, because they match FertilitySmart Conceive on format and on the two-capsule daily serving.
Can I take FertilitySmart Conceive and Proceive at the same time?
No, you should not take both at the same time. Both products contain overlapping micronutrients, including zinc, selenium and iron, and combining them risks exceeding safe upper intake levels. Choose one and take it consistently. If you are unsure which is appropriate for you, speak to your GP or a registered dietitian.
Are these supplements suitable for vegetarians and vegans?
Proceive is certified vegan, including its vitamin D3 source. FertilitySmart Conceive uses vegetarian capsules. If you require strict vegan supplementation, Proceive states it is suitable for vegans; check the current FertilitySmart label or contact the brand to confirm the vitamin D3 source.
Do these supplements contain allergens?
Neither product declares the major allergens on its product page. Always check the current pack before purchase if you have allergen concerns, as formulations and manufacturing arrangements can change.
Does FertilitySmart offer a money-back guarantee?
FertilitySmart offers a Pregnancy Success Offer on its multi-month bundle (see fertility-smart.net for current terms). Proceive offers subscription savings and multi-buy offers but does not currently offer a fertility-conditional refund.
How long does it take for either supplement to "work"?
Neither product is a treatment for infertility; both are food supplements that provide nutrients which support normal reproductive function. Sperm production takes roughly 70 to 90 days, so men's preconception supplements are typically taken for at least three months before any nutritional change would be reflected in semen quality. Women trying to conceive are advised to take folate 400 µg daily for at least one month before conception and up to three months after, in line with UK Department of Health guidance.
Which is better, FertilitySmart or Proceive?
There is no published head-to-head clinical trial comparing FertilitySmart Conceive directly with Proceive. Both are food supplements regulated under UK food law and neither has been approved as a medicine. The "better" product depends on which approach fits your priorities: higher amino-acid doses and added botanicals in a filler-free capsule (FertilitySmart), or a broader micronutrient range with folate as L-methylfolate and an age-tiered line-up (Proceive).
Where can I read more about individual ingredients?
The FertilitySmart Knowledge Centre has detailed articles on CoQ10, L-Carnitine, Chasteberry, Magnesium, Folic Acid, and Selenium in fertility contexts.
Important information
Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily intake. Keep out of reach of young children. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medication, or under medical supervision, consult your doctor or pharmacist before use. FertilitySmart Conceive for Women contains chasteberry (vitex); discontinue use if you become pregnant, as it is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Food supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this page is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individual medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Related reading
- FertilitySmart vs Wellman Conception: Ingredient Comparison (how FertilitySmart compares with the Vitabiotics range)
- Top 10 Fertility Supplements: What the Evidence Shows (the broader landscape of preconception supplements)
- Should I Take Vitamins to Help Get Pregnant? (the nutrients that matter most when trying to conceive)
- A Complete Guide to Fertility Supplements for Women & Men (the pillar article)
- Sperm DNA Fragmentation (why male fertility nutrition matters before conception)
References
- Proceive. Proceive Men: Key Ingredients and Nutritional Information. Available at: proceive.com/products/proceive-men. Accessed 27 June 2026.
- Proceive. Proceive Women: Key Ingredients and Nutritional Information. Available at: proceive.com/products/proceive-women. Accessed 27 June 2026.
- FertilitySmart. FertilitySmart Conceive for Men: Supplemental Facts. Available at: fertility-smart.net/fertilitysmart-fertility-pills-for-men. Accessed 27 June 2026.
- FertilitySmart. FertilitySmart Conceive for Women: Supplemental Facts. Available at: fertility-smart.net/fertilitysmart-fertility-pills-for-women. Accessed 27 June 2026.
- Department of Health and Social Care. Folic acid: updated SACN recommendations. UK Government, 2017.
- GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register. Authorised health claims under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 as retained in GB law. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, updated 2025.
Marina Carter
Health & Fertility Writer at FertilitySmart
Marina Carter is FertilitySmart’s lead writer on fertility, preconception health, and reproductive nutrition. She translates the clinical and nutritional evidence base into honest, practical guidance for individuals and couples trying to conceive, working closely with the product team to ensure every article reflects current peer-reviewed research and the lived emotional reality of the fertility journey. Read Full Bio →