When it comes to fertility, egg quality is everything. While we often hear about hormone levels and cycle tracking, many women don’t realise that energy production inside the egg itself plays a massive role in whether conception happens successfully.

That’s where Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) comes in. This powerful antioxidant fuels egg development, protects against age-related decline, and supports reproductive health. If you’re trying to conceive—naturally or through IVF—understanding the role of CoQ10 could be a game-changer.

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Why is CoQ10 Important for Fertility?

Eggs require a huge amount of energy to mature, fertilise, and develop into a healthy embryo. That energy comes from mitochondria—the powerhouses of the cell. But as women age, mitochondria become less efficient, leading to poor egg quality and lower pregnancy rates (Sun et al., 2023).

CoQ10 helps restore mitochondrial function, ensuring eggs have the fuel they need to develop properly. But there’s a catch—natural CoQ10 levels decline with age, which is one reason why fertility decreases over time (Zhang et al., 2023).

The good news? Studies show that CoQ10 supplementation can improve egg quality, boost ovarian function, and even enhance IVF success rates.

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How CoQ10 Improves Egg Quality

1. It Fuels Egg Development

Just like a car needs fuel to run, an egg needs ATP (energy) to mature properly. CoQ10 supports mitochondrial energy production, giving eggs the power they need to develop into viable embryos (Nie et al., 2023).

2. It Protects Eggs from Damage

Oxidative stress breaks down egg quality over time, making conception harder. CoQ10 neutralises harmful free radicals, slowing down ovarian aging and keeping eggs healthier for longer (Gao et al., 2023).

3. It Supports IVF Success

For women going through assisted reproductive technology (ART), including IVF, CoQ10 has been shown to improve fertilisation rates and embryo quality. A meta-analysis found that women who took CoQ10 had higher pregnancy rates compared to those who didn’t (Florou et al., 2020).

4. It Helps Reverse Environmental Damage

Everyday toxins like BPA and other endocrine disruptors can damage egg cells. Research shows that CoQ10 can help repair oxidative DNA damage caused by these chemicals, making it a valuable fertility protector (Carneiro et al., 2020).

5. It May Delay Ovarian Aging

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a major challenge for many women trying to conceive. CoQ10 has been shown to increase AMH levels and improve ovarian response, helping women with low egg count or poor egg quality(Zhang et al., 2023).

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Who Can Benefit from CoQ10 for Fertility?

CoQ10 supplementation may be particularly beneficial for:

✔️ Women over 30 – Since natural CoQ10 levels decline with age, supplementing may help maintain egg quality.
✔️ Those with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) – Studies show it can enhance ovarian response in women with low AMH (Zhang et al., 2023).
✔️ Women going through IVF – CoQ10 has been linked to better fertilisation and implantation rates (Florou et al., 2020).
✔️ Anyone exposed to environmental toxins – CoQ10 can help repair oxidative damage from pollutants and endocrine disruptors (Carneiro et al., 2020).

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Other Health Benefits of CoQ10 (Briefly)

While fertility is the main focus, CoQ10 also plays a role in overall health:

• Heart Health – Helps improve circulation and reduce oxidative stress in blood vessels (Liu et al., 2023).
• Energy & Fatigue – Supports mitochondrial function to fight fatigue and improve stamina (Hernández-Camacho et al., 2024).
• Brain Function – Protects brain cells from oxidative damage, supporting memory and mental clarity (Sun et al., 2023).
• Skin & Aging – Helps maintain collagen production, keeping skin firmer and more resilient (Gao et al., 2023).

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How to Get CoQ10 for Fertility

Your body produces CoQ10 naturally, but levels decline with age, making supplementation a smart choice for fertility support.

Food Sources of CoQ10

Although food sources can’t provide enough CoQ10 to significantly boost fertility, they still contribute to overall health. Good sources include:

• Fatty Fish – Salmon, sardines, tuna
• Organ Meats – Liver, heart, kidney
• Nuts & Seeds – Peanuts, sesame seeds
• Leafy Greens – Spinach, broccoli (Nie et al., 2023).

Choosing the Right CoQ10 Supplement

For fertility, experts recommend supplementing with CoQ10 in its most absorbable form:

✔️ Ubiquinol vs. Ubiquinone? – Ubiquinol is more bioavailable, meaning your body absorbs it better (Florou et al., 2020).
✔️ How much should you take? – Studies on fertility typically use 200–600 mg per day, depending on individual needs (Nie et al., 2023).
✔️ When should you take it? – Since CoQ10 is fat-soluble, taking it with a meal containing healthy fats improves absorption (Sun et al., 2023).

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Final Thoughts

CoQ10 is one of the most promising supplements for fertility, helping to boost egg quality, support ovarian function, and improve IVF success rates. Whether you’re trying to conceive naturally or through assisted reproductive treatments, giving your eggs the energy they need can make all the difference.

If you’re considering supplementation, choosing a high-quality CoQ10 product can help maximise your fertility potential.

References

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2. Li, X., et al. (2022). Does coenzyme Q10 supplementation improve human oocyte quality? Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 39(5), 1123–1134. doi:10.1007/s10815-022-02572-1.
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7. Lee, S., et al. (2023). Antioxidant CoQ10 restores fertility by rescuing bisphenol A-induced oxidative DNA damage in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline. Toxicology Letters, 373, 63-71. doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2023.06.001.
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11. Garcia, M., et al. (2023). Platelet mitochondrial function and endogenous coenzyme Q10 levels as markers of mitochondrial health in infertile men: A pilot study. Andrology, 11(5), 933-942. doi:10.1111/andr.13570.
12. Xu, L., et al. (2021). Systematic understanding of anti-aging effects of coenzyme Q10 on oocyte through a network pharmacology approach. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 813772. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.813772.
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