CoQ10 for Fertility: Why It Matters for Egg Quality

When you are trying to conceive, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the number of supplements claiming to support fertility.

But CoQ10 is not simply another wellness trend. It has become one of the most widely researched nutrients in reproductive health because of the important role it plays in cellular energy production—and eggs require an extraordinary amount of energy.

This is why CoQ10 is now commonly taken during preconception and in the months leading up to fertility treatment.

What is CoQ10?

Coenzyme Q10, more commonly known as CoQ10, is a substance naturally produced by the body. It is found inside the mitochondria—the energy-producing structures within almost every cell.

CoQ10 helps mitochondria generate ATP, the energy cells need to function properly. It also acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells against oxidative stress.

Both of these roles are particularly relevant to fertility.

Egg maturation, fertilisation and early embryo development are all highly energy-dependent processes. Supporting mitochondrial energy production is therefore one of the main reasons CoQ10 has attracted so much interest within fertility research.

How does CoQ10 support egg quality?

Every egg contains thousands of mitochondria. These mitochondria provide the energy the egg needs to mature, divide its chromosomes correctly, become fertilised and support the earliest stages of embryo development.

As we age, mitochondrial function within the eggs becomes less efficient. At the same time, the body’s natural production of CoQ10 gradually declines.

This combination may leave developing eggs with less energy and greater vulnerability to oxidative stress—which is why CoQ10 has become so closely associated with egg-quality support.

Research suggests that CoQ10 supplementation may help support mitochondrial activity, protect cells from oxidative damage and create a more favourable environment for egg maturation.

It cannot increase the number of eggs a woman was born with or guarantee that every egg will be chromosomally normal. However, it targets one of the most important biological processes involved in the development of a healthy egg: cellular energy production.

What does the research show?

Several studies have explored CoQ10 supplementation in women trying to conceive, particularly those undergoing IVF or experiencing diminished ovarian reserve.

In a randomised controlled trial involving women with decreased ovarian reserve, taking CoQ10 before IVF was associated with:

• More eggs retrieved

• Higher fertilisation rates

• More high-quality embryos

• A stronger ovarian response to stimulation

• A lower amount of fertility medication required

The researchers concluded that CoQ10 pretreatment improved ovarian response and embryological outcomes in the women studied. [1]

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials also found that women taking CoQ10 during assisted reproductive treatment had higher clinical pregnancy rates than women receiving a placebo or no supplementation. [2]

More recent analyses have continued to report improvements in outcomes including ovarian response, the number of eggs retrieved, fertilisation rates, embryo quality and clinical pregnancy rates—particularly among women with diminished ovarian reserve or a poor response to ovarian stimulation. [3,4]

The research is still developing, and no supplement can guarantee conception or a healthy pregnancy. But the findings explain why CoQ10 has become one of the most frequently recommended nutrients for women preparing for conception or fertility treatment.

Why consistency matters

Egg development does not happen in a few days.

The follicle and egg develop gradually over several months before ovulation. This means that preconception supplements are generally taken consistently rather than started only when ovulation approaches or immediately before an IVF cycle.

Many fertility studies have used CoQ10 for around two to three months before ovarian stimulation. In everyday preconception care, women may choose to continue taking it throughout the time they are trying to conceive.

This is why a 90-day period is often used as a meaningful starting point for consistent supplementation. It provides enough time to align with the natural timeline of egg development, rather than expecting immediate changes.

Ninety days is not a maximum treatment period. CoQ10 can be continued throughout the preconception journey and beyond, unless your healthcare professional advises otherwise.

How much CoQ10 should you take for fertility?

The amount of CoQ10 included in general multivitamins is often relatively small.

Fertility studies have commonly investigated daily doses ranging from approximately 200 mg to 600 mg, depending on the group being studied and the intended outcome.

This matters because adding a token amount of CoQ10 to a prenatal supplement is not the same as providing a meaningful, high-dose formulation.

Choosing a supplement with a clinically relevant dose is therefore an important consideration when looking at CoQ10 for fertility support.

More than just CoQ10

CoQ10 is an important part of preconception nutrition, but it is not the only nutrient women need to think about when preparing for pregnancy.

A well-designed preconception supplement will also consider other key nutrients involved in reproductive health, such as vitamin D and folate.

Rather than filling a formula with dozens of nutrients at low doses, some approaches focus on a small number of carefully selected ingredients at meaningful levels.

Can CoQ10 support male fertility too?

CoQ10 has also been studied in men because sperm require a large amount of energy to move effectively, while oxidative stress can affect sperm concentration, motility, morphology and DNA integrity.

Research reviews have found that CoQ10 supplementation may improve sperm concentration and motility in some men with infertility. More recent evidence has also reported improvements in several semen-quality measurements following consistent supplementation. [5,6]

However, abnormal semen results should always be medically investigated, as supplements cannot correct every possible cause of male infertility.

Is CoQ10 only useful before IVF?

No.

Although many CoQ10 studies have been carried out in women undergoing IVF, the biological processes being supported—mitochondrial energy production, antioxidant protection and egg maturation—also matter when trying to conceive naturally.

You do not need to wait until you are experiencing fertility difficulties or beginning treatment before thinking about preconception health.

CoQ10 can be introduced at any stage of your fertility journey, whether you are:

• Preparing to start trying for a baby

• Already trying to conceive naturally

• Concerned about age-related egg-quality decline

• Preparing for IVF or another fertility treatment

• Looking for a simpler, more consistent supplement routine

The bottom line

CoQ10 is one of the most exciting nutrients in fertility research because it supports the energy-producing processes that developing eggs rely on.

The evidence suggests that supplementation may support ovarian response, egg maturation, fertilisation and embryo quality, particularly when taken consistently before conception or fertility treatment.

It is not a magic solution—and no responsible fertility supplement should claim to be one. But for women looking to give their eggs strong nutritional and mitochondrial support during preconception, CoQ10 is an important nutrient to consider.

At this point, many women choose a simple, high-dose preconception supplement such as CORE3, which provides CoQ10 alongside other key nutrients such as vitamin D and methylfolate in a single daily capsule, to support consistency throughout the fertility journey.

References

1. Xu, Y. et al. (2018) ‘Pretreatment with coenzyme Q10 improves ovarian response and embryo quality in low-prognosis young women with decreased ovarian reserve: a randomized controlled trial’, Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 16, 29. doi: 10.1186/s12958-018-0343-0.

2. Florou, P. et al. (2020) ‘Does coenzyme Q10 supplementation improve fertility outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedures? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials’, Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 37, pp. 2377–2387. doi: 10.1007/s10815-020-01906-5.

3. Lin, G. et al. (2024) ‘Clinical evidence of coenzyme Q10 pretreatment for women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing IVF/ICSI: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 22.

4. Zhu, F. et al. (2023) ‘TEAS, DHEA, CoQ10, and GH for poor ovarian response undergoing IVF-ET: a systematic review and network meta-analysis’, Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 21.

5. Lafuente, R. et al. (2013) ‘Coenzyme Q10 and male infertility: a meta-analysis’, Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 30, pp. 1147–1156. doi: 10.1007/s10815-013-0047-5.

6. Akhigbe, T.M. et al. (2025) ‘Does coenzyme Q10 improve semen quality and circulating reproductive hormone concentrations?’, systematic review and meta-analysis.

This article is for educational purposes and does not replace personalised medical advice. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Speak to your healthcare professional before taking supplements if you are receiving fertility treatment, taking medication or have a medical condition.