Not Pregnant? Here’s What Happens if You Take Prenatal Vitamins
Wondering what happens if you take prenatal vitamins if you are not pregnant? In this post, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of taking a prenatal when you’re not expecting, so you can make the choice that’s right for your health.
This post may contain affiliate links to products. I receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclaimer here.
Taking a prenatal supplement is a good idea when you’re pregnant. But what if you’re not pregnant? Is it harmful to take a prenatal vitamin? That is what we’re going to answer today.
When More is Good
Here’s the fact of the matter: unless you are eating a perfectly balanced nutrient-dense diet (which is nearly impossible in today’s world) you probably have some gaps in your nutrition. And that means you are probably going to benefit from some extra nutrients.
Those extra vitamins and minerals are likely helping you achieve better health.
So for a lot of women, taking an extra multivitamin isn’t going to hurt.
In fact, if you are trying to conceive (TTC), in early postpartum, or breastfeeding, you probably should be taking a prenatal! (Or a postpartum version of a prenatal multi.) Nutrient needs stay high—or possibly even increase—when recovering from birth and while breastfeeding.
Consider This
That said, there are a few important things to consider if you are taking a prenatal vitamin but you aren’t pregnant.
Varying Formulas
First, each prenatal vitamin has a unique mix of ingredients and nutrient levels. While more nutrients can be beneficial, that’s not always the case. We’ll cover this in more detail later, but for now, make sure you know what’s in your prenatal so you’re aware of which nutrients are getting a boost.
Quality Matters
Second, prenatal vitamins come in a wide range of qualities and prices. The cheaper a prenatal is, the more likely it is to contain ingredients you might not want to be putting in your body every day.
Many store-brand or cheaper options contain fillers, additives, or binders that may not be good for you. Check the label for things like…
- BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene): a preservative linked to hormone disruption, allergic reactions, and possibly cancer when consumed in large amounts
- Artificial Dyes: linked to allergic reactions and hyperactivity
- e.g. FD&C Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5
- Artificial Sweeteners (often found in gummies): can cause gastrointestinal distress
- e.g. Aspartame, Sucralose, Saccharin
- Talc (a filler): can be contaminated with asbestos and pose cancer risks
- Soy or Gluten (can be used as fillers or binders): common allergens
Myth Busting: What Causes Pregnancy Glow?
One reason some women take a prenatal when they aren’t pregnant is the hope that it will help them achieve the healthy hair, skin, and nails that some pregnant women experience.
Unfortunately, a prenatal vitamin isn’t going to do the trick.
The reason a pregnant woman’s hair, nails, and skin seem so healthy during pregnancy is actually because of the extra hormones in her body, as well as increased blood flow which supports the pregnancy.
So if you’re not trying to conceive or breastfeeding, you might want to nix the prenatal and try other methods of achieving a glowing look (like taking collagen or exercising regularly) instead.
When More is Not Better
In some cases, what happens if you take prenatal vitamins while you aren’t pregnant is not positive. There are 3 main possible risks of taking a prenatal when you don’t need it.
Toxicity
Some nutrients can be dangerous if you have too much in your body. When talking about prenatal supplements, the two to be aware of are folic acid and iron.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is a synthetic form of the natural B vitamin, folate. While some people do just fine with folic acid, others can’t use it in their bodies very well. That can result in a build up of folic acid which may cause allergic reactions like skin rash, itching, redness, or difficulty breathing.
Excess folic acid may even increase your risk of cancer.
Folic acid can also mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. This is because folate can treat the anemia caused by B12 deficiency but NOT the nerve damage caused by the deficiency. Sometimes, by the time a B12 deficiency is realized, nerve damage is irreversible.
(I do want to point out that you can’t have too much natural, methylated folate, the kind found in food.)
Iron
Iron can also be harmful in large amounts. Our bodies are wonderfully designed to regulate how much iron our body absorbs from food. But things change when we take a supplement.
Too much iron, especially from supplements, can cause damage to cells. It can also lead to iron poisoning, which will manifest as stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. If the excess iron levels continue, iron can accumulate in organs and eventually be fatal.
Even when pregnant, some women don’t need iron supplements, depending on their eating habits. So if you aren’t pregnant, you may want to avoid taking a prenatal that contains iron.
Medication Interactions
Some nutrients, especially in supplemental form, can interact poorly or even dangerously with certain medications.
Mayo Clinic states these medications as having possible interactions with folic acid:
- Anticonvulsants. Taking folic acid with fosphenytoin (Cerebyx), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) or primidone (Mysoline) might decrease the drug’s concentration in your blood.
- Barbiturates. Taking folic acid with a drug that acts as a central nervous system depressant (barbiturate) might decrease the drug’s effectiveness.
- Methotrexate (Trexall). Taking folic acid with this medication used to treat cancer could interfere with its effectiveness.
- Pyrimethamine (Daraprim). Taking folic acid with this antimalarial drug might reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
You can learn about how to safely supplement with iron, including possible medication interactions, here.
Water Retention
Lastly, high levels of some nutrients can lead to water retention, which can be uncomfortable. In these cases, water retention is usually temporary and not dangerous and can be resolved by decreasing that nutrient’s intake.
My Favorite Prenatal Supplement
Whether you’re TTC, postpartum, or just want to keep taking a prenatal, I’ve got just the one for you.
MegaFood’s Baby & Me 2 Prenatal Multi is my go-to. It’s made with real food and added vitamins and minerals, including methylated folate, 300 mg of choline, vitamin D3 with K2, and B12—all at an affordable price compared to most high-quality brands.
Actually it’s half the price of most quality prenatals out there.
It can be taken any time of day, with or without food, and is tested for 150 pesticides, making it a solid choice for both you and your baby. Plus, they never include 9 major allergens!
If you want a great prenatal vitamin but don’t want to break the bank, try MegaFood’s Prenatal Multi.
Conclusion: Listen to Your Body
So what happens if you take prenatal vitamins when you are not pregnant? Usually, nothing dangerous. Most women will find that the extra nutrients actually help them fill gaps in their diet.
Occasionally, taking a prenatal when not pregnant can lead to toxicity caused by too much of a single nutrient, negative medication interactions, or water retention.
If you choose to take a prenatal outside of pregnancy, make sure to look at the label. Know what nutrients you’re getting and be aware of any additives you may want to avoid.
You know your body best, so listen to it, and you’ll be just fine.
Until next time,
Allison
READ MORE:
Choosing the Right Prenatal Vitamin: The Truth Behind the Labels
How to Prepare for Postpartum: The Ultimate Guide
Do You Have Diastasis Recti? Here’s How to Know (From Home!)
