CoQ10: Does it Help Fertility?
What Is CoQ10?
CoQ10 is an antioxidant—a coenzyme (that’s what the “Co” stands for) that’s essential for vitamin E metabolism and energy production inside your cells.
If you remember way back to biology class, you probably learned about the mitochondria, aka the powerhouse of the cell. That powerhouse creates all of the energy your cells need to function. Your entire body is made up of cells, and they are constantly repairing, dividing, and growing.
So, having good, stable, functioning mitochondria is critical for your overall health—and for your fertility.
How Mitochondria and Aging Affect Fertility
Aging is essentially the body’s declining ability to repair itself, and much of that decline starts at the mitochondrial level.
Imagine an old engine or factory—it’s not going to run like it used to. The same thing happens inside your cells.
That’s why antioxidants like CoQ10 are so important. They help reduce inflammation, which can be toxic to your cells, accelerate aging, and negatively affect fertility by damaging both egg and sperm quality.
CoQ10 and Fertility: What the Research Shows
CoQ10 has been studied in a variety of areas—cardiovascular health, bones, muscles, joints, and neurological disease—but more recently, we've seen growing research on its role in fertility over the past decade.
Years ago, people might have said CoQ10 had no impact. But now, we’re accumulating evidence-based data that suggests otherwise.
The choices you make daily—your diet, inflammation levels, and supplement intake—do impact your fertility. And while supplements are never mandatory, they can help.
Quick Reminder: Not All Supplements Are Created Equal
Always talk to your doctor before starting anything new. Just because something is labeled as a "supplement" doesn’t mean it’s harmless. For example, CoQ10 can interfere with certain medications like Warfarin, a common blood thinner.
So bring it up at your visit, even if you think it’s “just a supplement.”
How CoQ10 Helps During IVF and Fertility Treatments
Fertility can be measured in different ways—time to pregnancy, hormone levels, and especially how eggs and sperm do in the lab.
In IVF studies, CoQ10 has been shown to improve:
The number of mature eggs
The quality of embryos
The number of genetically normal embryos
This suggests that egg quality may improve when supported with antioxidants like CoQ10.
Why CoQ10 Matters for Egg Quality
Women are born with all the eggs they're ever going to have. I like to imagine them sitting in a vault inside the ovary, exposed to your entire life’s wear and tear.
Over time, the DNA inside each egg begins to degrade. The mitochondria in those eggs are responsible for that key moment when the cell splits the DNA to prepare for fertilization. Poor mitochondrial function = more DNA errors.
So supporting your mitochondria may help support healthier, more stable DNA in your eggs.
CoQ10 Dosage for Egg Quality
For egg quality, we typically recommend 400 to 600 milligrams per day. That’s what’s been studied in fertility-focused research.
CoQ10 for Sperm Health
Unlike eggs, sperm are made every single day—about 1,500 sperm per second!
That constant production makes sperm particularly sensitive to oxidative stress and inflammation. Research shows that CoQ10 may help improve:
Sperm concentration
Motility
Morphology (shape and structure)
The recommended dose for sperm quality is 200 milligrams per day—so slightly lower than for egg quality.
Can’t Supplements Do It All?
Of course not! There’s no magic pill, but CoQ10 can be a beneficial part of your fertility equation.
Fertility is a team sport. It’s rarely “just the eggs” or “just the sperm.” So, stacking the deck in your favor with healthy choices and supplements can make a difference, especially if you're:
Struggling with infertility
Starting fertility treatment
Older in reproductive years
Dealing with inflammatory conditions
You Can Also Get CoQ10 From Food
Yes, supplements help, but dietary sources of CoQ10 are also important and usable by the body.
Animal-Based Sources:
Fatty fish
Organ meats
Red meat
Plant-Based Sources:
Spinach, broccoli, cauliflower
Strawberries, oranges
Soybeans, lentils
Nuts, seeds, whole grains
Vegetable oils
Both diet and supplementation can support your CoQ10 levels—so it’s not either/or.
Hopefully this helps you understand why CoQ10 is often recommended in the fertility world. It’s about supporting your cells, your mitochondria, and ultimately the quality of your eggs and sperm.
