Red light face masks have become incredibly popular because of the research showing benefits for collagen production, wound healing, and inflammation. My husband and I use our red light regularly, including to help with muscle tension.
I also used red light therapy during my own fertility journey, and it has since become one of the tools I regularly recommend to women and men trying to conceive.
Why Red Light Therapy May Help Fertility
One of the reasons red and near-infrared light is so interesting for fertility is its effect on the mitochondria.
Mitochondria are responsible for producing the energy our cells need to function. This is especially important for eggs, which have an enormous energy requirement. As we age, mitochondrial function can decline and oxidative stress can increase, which can negatively affect egg quality.
Red and near infrared light may help support mitochondrial activity and ATP production while also increasing circulation and reducing oxidative stress.
This is important for both women and men.
For women, supporting mitochondrial function, circulation, and oxidative balance may help support egg quality and uterine health.
For men, research suggests that photobiomodulation may improve sperm motility and other measures of sperm quality.
Research has investigated the effects of red and near infrared light on ovarian function, oocyte quality, the endometrium, and sperm.
Red Light Therapy and Female Fertility
Some of the most interesting fertility research has come from Japan and Denmark.
In a Japanese study, women with severe infertility who had already undergone multiple unsuccessful fertility treatments received low-level laser therapy. In the initial group of 74 women, 16 became pregnant. An expanded report involving 701 women found that 156 women became pregnant, with 79 live deliveries.
Another study conducted in Denmark and Norway looked at women with a history of unsuccessful fertility treatment. Following photobiomodulation, 158 of 239 women became pregnant, a pregnancy rate of 66%.
The researchers proposed that photobiomodulation may support fertility through several mechanisms, including improved mitochondrial function, circulation, and cellular energy production.
Animal research has also found effects on ovarian function, follicular development, vascularization, and oocyte quality.
There is even research looking at the endometrium. A study using human endometrial cells found that red light therapy affected cell proliferation and the expression of genes involved in endometrial function, providing another possible mechanism for how photobiomodulation may support reproductive health.
Red Light Therapy and Male Fertility
Red light therapy isn’t just for women.
Sperm are highly sensitive to oxidative stress, and healthy sperm production and movement depend on adequate cellular energy.
Research has found that specific doses of red and near infrared light can improve sperm motility. In one study, exposure to 830 nm light increased progressive sperm motility in samples from men with poor sperm motility.
Another study found that photobiomodulation increased measures of sperm motility and functional sperm count by up to fourfold under specific treatment conditions.
How to Use Red Light Therapy for Fertility
The wavelength, dose, distance, and duration matter.
For Women
Use red light therapy 3–7 times per week from cycle day 1 through ovulation.
Apply the light over the lower abdomen and/or neck for approximately 20 minutes.
For Men
Apply the light toward the testicles for 5–20 minutes on most days of the week.
Avoid overheating the testicles and do not place the device directly against the skin.
What Wavelengths Should You Look For?
When choosing a device, I recommend looking for one that includes both red and near infrared wavelengths:
Red light: 620–670 nm
Near infrared light: approximately 830 nm
These wavelengths are particularly interesting for fertility because they can penetrate tissue and interact with cellular processes involved in mitochondrial function, circulation, and oxidative stress.
Red Light Therapy Is One Piece of the Fertility Picture
Red light therapy can be a valuable addition to a fertility plan, but I don’t recommend using it in isolation.
If you’re trying to conceive, especially in your 40s, there are many factors that can influence egg quality, ovulation, implantation, and sperm health.
Nutrition, blood sugar regulation, sleep, nutrient status, environmental exposures, thyroid function, inflammation, mitochondrial health, and male fertility all deserve attention.
There is no single fertility hack. The goal is to address the factors that may be working against you and give your eggs, sperm, and reproductive system the support they need.
Red light therapy is one tool I believe can be part of that bigger picture.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please work with your physician or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your healthcare plan, particularly if you are pregnant, undergoing fertility treatment, taking medication, or managing a medical condition. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.