If you’re trying to conceive, you’ve probably heard of CoQ10. It has become one of the most commonly discussed fertility supplements, particularly for women looking to support egg quality and reproductive health.

But there’s one question that causes a lot of confusion:

How much CoQ10 should you actually take for fertility?

You’ll find supplements containing anything from 30mg to 600mg per day, so the answer isn’t as simple as picking up any bottle labelled “CoQ10”.

Here’s what the fertility research actually uses.

What is CoQ10?

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring compound found throughout the body. It plays an important role within the mitochondria — the structures inside our cells responsible for producing energy.

This is particularly relevant when we talk about fertility because egg maturation and early embryo development are highly energy-dependent processes.

CoQ10 also functions as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells against oxidative stress.

Our natural CoQ10 levels decline with age, which is one reason researchers have become increasingly interested in whether CoQ10 supplementation could have a role in female reproductive health.

What dose of CoQ10 is used for fertility?

There is no single officially recommended CoQ10 dose for fertility.

Unlike folic acid and vitamin D, CoQ10 isn't routinely recommended by the NHS for everyone trying to conceive.

However, clinical fertility studies have commonly investigated doses in the hundreds of milligrams per day, rather than the small 30–100mg doses found in many general multivitamins.

Depending on the study and population being investigated, doses around 200–600mg of CoQ10 per day have been studied.

That doesn't mean everyone trying to conceive needs 600mg. It does show why simply seeing “CoQ10” on a supplement label doesn't tell you very much — the actual dose matters.

Is 100mg of CoQ10 enough for fertility?

A 100mg dose isn't inherently a “bad” dose, but it is lower than the amount used in a number of fertility studies.

For example, research investigating CoQ10 in women undergoing fertility treatment has often used several hundred milligrams per day.

So if you're choosing a CoQ10 supplement for fertility, it's worth checking the number on the back of the bottle rather than assuming every CoQ10 product provides a comparable amount.

Is 200mg of CoQ10 enough for fertility?

200mg CoQ10 per day sits within the range that has been investigated in reproductive research.

Some studies and fertility protocols use higher amounts, however, including doses of 400–600mg per day.

There isn't currently enough evidence to say that one particular dose is universally “optimal” for every woman trying to conceive.

The appropriate dose can also depend on your individual circumstances, medications and medical history.

Why do some fertility supplements contain 400–600mg of CoQ10?

Because fertility research frequently investigates substantially higher doses than those found in standard multivitamins.

One randomised controlled trial involving young women with decreased ovarian reserve undergoing IVF used 200mg of CoQ10 three times daily — 600mg per day — for 60 days before IVF/ICSI treatment.

The CoQ10 group showed improvements in several ovarian-response and embryological measures, although the study wasn't large enough to establish improvements in pregnancy or live-birth outcomes conclusively.

Other research has investigated different doses and populations.

This is important because the evidence shouldn't be interpreted as:

“600mg CoQ10 will make you pregnant.”

It won't guarantee conception, improve every fertility problem or prevent miscarriage.

Instead, the research suggests that CoQ10 is an interesting nutrient in reproductive medicine, with several studies investigating doses considerably higher than those found in many ordinary supplements.

How long should you take CoQ10 before trying to conceive?

You'll often hear fertility supplements discussed in the context of around three months before conception.

That's because the development of an ovarian follicle and its egg occurs over an extended period rather than overnight.

Many fertility studies therefore supplement women before fertility treatment, rather than beginning supplementation on the day of egg collection.

You don't have to stop trying to conceive for three months while taking CoQ10. The point is simply that nutritional interventions aimed at the preconception period are generally considered over weeks and months rather than days.

Does CoQ10 improve egg quality?

This needs careful wording.

There is promising research examining CoQ10 supplementation and markers associated with ovarian response, egg and embryo development, particularly in women undergoing assisted reproduction or those with diminished ovarian reserve.

However, “egg quality” isn't something that can be directly measured at home, and CoQ10 should not be presented as a treatment for infertility.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials has reported improved clinical pregnancy rates with CoQ10 pretreatment in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology.

So CoQ10 may be worth discussing as part of preconception nutrition, but it isn't a fertility treatment and cannot guarantee pregnancy.

 

What is the best CoQ10 dose when trying to conceive?

There isn't currently an official universal “best dose”.

A useful way to interpret the evidence is:

100mg: commonly available, but below the dose used in many fertility studies.

200mg: within the range investigated in reproductive research.

400–600mg: higher-dose territory, with doses within this range appearing in clinical fertility studies.

More is not automatically better, and supplements should always be considered alongside your individual circumstances.

CORE3 contains 450mg CoQ10 in one daily capsule

One of the reasons I created CORE3 was supplement fatigue.

When I was trying to conceive, I found myself taking multiple separate supplements every day to reach the doses I wanted.

I wanted to create something much simpler.

CORE3 provides, in just one capsule per day:

• 450mg CoQ10
• 1,000mcg methylfolate
• 4,000IU vitamin D3

Rather than sprinkling tiny quantities of dozens of ingredients into a long ingredient list, CORE3 focuses on three nutrients at deliberately substantial doses.

It is doctor-formulated, manufactured in the UK, vegan and halal, and designed specifically for the preconception period.

Looking for a high-dose CoQ10 fertility supplement?

If you're comparing fertility supplements, don't just look for whether CoQ10 appears on the front of the bottle.

Check how many milligrams you're actually getting.

CORE3 contains 450mg CoQ10 in one daily capsule, alongside 1,000mcg methylfolate and 4,000IU vitamin D3.

Shop CORE3 at Ovare Fertility.