Power Up Your Fertility: How CoQ10 Might Be the Energy Boost Your Eggs Need
"Energy and persistence conquer all things." — Benjamin Franklin
This quote isn't just life advice—it might actually apply to your eggs too. Let's talk about why the power plants in your cells could be game-changers for your fertility journey.
The Cellular Energy Crisis Nobody's Talking About
Ever wondered why fertility can decline with age? Turns out, it's not just about running out of eggs—it's about the quality of those eggs. And what determines quality? Energy production.
Your eggs are like tiny powerhouses that need serious energy to:
Develop properly
Mature with the correct number of chromosomes
Successfully fertilize
Support early embryo development
But here's the thing—as we age, the microscopic power plants in our cells (mitochondria) start working less efficiently. Think of them as old, damaged power stations that can't keep up with demand.
Why Your Eggs Need More Power Than You Think
When it comes to cellular tasks, separating chromosomes is basically the Olympics of energy-demanding processes. Your eggs need to produce a sudden burst of energy at precisely the right moment to organize chromosomes correctly.
If an egg doesn't have enough power:
It might end up with the wrong number of chromosomes
It could fail to mature properly
It may not be able to support early embryo development
Failed implantation or early pregnancy loss becomes more likely
These energy issues start becoming significantly more common after your mid-thirties, but can affect anyone with fertility challenges.
Today’s eggs are under more stress than ever. Environmental toxins, processed diets, chronic stress, and blue light exposure can all accelerate mitochondrial decline. That’s why CoQ10—while once considered optional—is now increasingly essential.
Enter CoQ10: The Cellular Energy Booster
This is where Coenzyme Q10 comes in—a powerful molecule your body already produces, but in potentially declining amounts as you age.
CoQ10 works inside your cellular power plants by:
Acting as a vital link in the "electron transport chain" (the process that creates energy)
Helping mitochondria produce ATP (the energy currency your cells use)
Functioning as an antioxidant that protects cells from damage
Research suggests that supplementing with CoQ10 might help improve egg quality by boosting mitochondrial function and helping eggs produce the energy they need for all those critical developmental processes.
The Research is Getting Exciting
What started as a theoretical idea has been gaining scientific support. In 2018, multiple controlled studies confirmed that taking CoQ10 for 1-2 months before IVF significantly boosted egg quality. Women taking CoQ10 had:
More eggs fertilized
Higher proportion of good-quality embryos
Lower cycle cancellation rates (8% vs. 23% in control groups)
More embryos available to freeze (18% vs. 4%)
One particularly intriguing double-blind study found lower rates of chromosomal abnormalities in embryos from women taking CoQ10. That's huge, since chromosomal issues are the single greatest cause of early pregnancy loss.
The Research is Getting Exciting
Which Form & How Much?
If you're considering CoQ10, here's what research suggests:
Forms
CoQ10 comes in two main forms:
Ubiquinone: The standard form, less expensive but also less bioavailable
Ubiquinol: The "reduced" active form, typically more expensive but better absorbed
Some research shows that certain formulations get absorbed significantly better, with special ubiquinol forms (like those used in clinical studies) showing twice the absorption rates of traditional supplements.
Dosage
Clinical trials in the fertility context used:
400-600mg daily of standard CoQ10
400mg daily of the more bioavailable forms (ubiquinol or special formulations)
For those just starting to try to conceive with no known fertility issues, a lower dose of 200mg may be sufficient.
Timing Tips
Split your dose (200mg with breakfast, 200mg with lunch) for better absorption
Take with food since CoQ10 is fat-soluble
Avoid taking at night as some people report sleep disturbances
When to Start & When to Stop
Ideally, start taking CoQ10 at least three months before trying to conceive or before an IVF/IUI cycle. This timing allows eggs to develop in an optimal environment since it takes approximately three months for eggs to fully mature.
As for stopping, approaches vary:
For natural conception, typically stop when you get a positive pregnancy test
For IVF, some clinics recommend stopping the day before egg retrieval
Others suggest continuing until you know if the transfer was successful
The middle-ground approach? Stop after embryo transfer while waiting to find out if it worked, then restart if needed with only a two-week break.
Bonus: CoQ10 Isn’t Just for Eggs
Research shows CoQ10 can also support male fertility by improving sperm motility and reducing oxidative stress in semen. Fertility is a two-person equation—both partners can benefit from boosting their cellular energy.
CoQ10 also shows promise for those with PCOS, endometriosis, and unexplained infertility, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that support healthier hormone balance and ovarian function.
Food Sources of CoQ10
While food alone won’t deliver therapeutic levels of CoQ10, regularly eating CoQ10-rich foods like sardines, pasture-raised beef, spinach, and broccoli can provide a synergistic benefit—especially when paired with high-quality supplements.
Beyond Fertility: The Multi-Benefit Supplement
CoQ10 has been extensively studied for other health conditions:
It's a favorite among marathon runners and Olympic athletes
It helps reduce muscle pain associated with statin medications
It may help manage blood pressure and potentially improve blood sugar control in some people with type 2 diabetes
Side effects are minimal—large clinical trials have reported no safety concerns even at doses up to 3000mg daily, with only mild gastrointestinal symptoms in a small number of people.
What the Experts Say
Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh's Approach
Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, known as the "Egg Whisperer," recommends CoQ10 as part of her supplement protocol for patients with various fertility challenges. As a fertility specialist trained at Harvard Medical School, she includes CoQ10 in her "special sauce" supplement recommendations for women with PCOS, endometriosis, and those with poor egg quality or advanced maternal age .
On her Egg Whisperer Show, Dr. Aimee advocates that supplements like CoQ10 "can improve egg quality" as part of her approach to fertility optimization . While she recognizes that research is still developing in some areas, she includes CoQ10 alongside other key supplements tailored to specific fertility diagnoses.
Rebecca Fett's Evidence-Based View
Rebecca Fett, molecular biologist and author of the bestselling book "It Starts with the Egg," considers CoQ10 essential for women trying to improve egg quality. Based on her comprehensive review of scientific research, she advises: "If you are going to add just one other supplement, make it Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)" .
Fett recommends starting CoQ10 at least three months before trying to conceive or beginning IVF procedures, as the egg development cycle takes approximately three months. For women over 40, she suggests taking ubiquinol (the reduced form of CoQ10) at 200-400mg daily . For those undergoing fertility treatments, she recommends 400-600mg daily based on clinical trial data .
The Bottom Line
Current evidence suggests that adding a CoQ10 supplement is one of the best ways to improve egg quality. It's not a guaranteed solution, but the science backing its use in fertility is increasingly compelling.
CoQ10 is not a cure-all, but rather one important piece of a bigger fertility puzzle. The best outcomes are seen when it’s combined with supportive lifestyle habits like anti-inflammatory eating, movement, stress management, and toxin reduction.
If you're struggling with fertility, over 35, have diminished ovarian reserve, or are preparing for IVF, CoQ10 might be worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
Want to learn more about evidence-based approaches to optimize your fertility? Join our community at WOVA where we're transforming how people approach fertility through scientifically-backed solutions and supportive guidance.
And if you're building your supplement stack, check out the WOVA Clean Fertility Essentials list. It includes vetted, clean-label options for CoQ10 and other key fertility supports so you can feel confident about what you're taking.
References
Bentov Y, Casper RF. The aging oocyte—can mitochondrial function be improved? Fertil Steril. 2013;99(1):18-22.
Ben-Meir A, Burstein E, Borrego-Alvarez A, et al. Coenzyme Q10 restores oocyte mitochondrial function and fertility during reproductive aging. Aging Cell. 2015;14(5):887-895.
Xu Y, Nisenblat V, Lu C, et al. Pretreatment with coenzyme Q10 improves ovarian response and embryo quality in low-prognosis young women with decreased ovarian reserve: a randomized controlled trial. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2018;16(1):29.
Giannubilo SR, Orlando P, Silvestri S, et al. CoQ10 supplementation in patients undergoing IVF-ET: The relationship with follicular fluid content and oocyte maturity. Antioxidants. 2018;7(10):141.
Fett R. It Starts with the Egg: How the Science of Egg Quality Can Help You Get Pregnant Naturally, Prevent Miscarriage, and Improve Your Odds in IVF. 2nd ed. Franklin Fox Publishing; 2019.
Eyvazzadeh A. The Egg Whisperer Show (Podcast). 2020-2024.
Note: Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you're actively trying to conceive, undergoing fertility treatments, or have existing health conditions like diabetes or low blood pressure.
