Oxidative stress plays a role in sub-fertility by impacting egg quality. Antioxidants are compounds made in the body that help to mitigate oxidative stress. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinol is an antioxidant made endogenously by the body, and is also made synthetically, in the form of over-the-counter supplements.

 

CoQ10 supplements are at times administered in the fertility context with the understanding it may reduce oxidative stress and therefore prevent the deterioration of egg quality. Current research suggests that it may increase clinical pregnancy rates but there are no high quality studies that suggest CoQ10/Ubiquinol supplements improve live birth rate.

 

In regards to male fertility, CoQ10 has been shown in numerous studies to improve sperm quality, but no improvement in live birth rate has been found to be associated.

 

It is important to consider the cost of the supplement when deciding if CoQ10 is right for you. Men are recommended to take 600mg daily in the 3 months leading up to treatment, and women 300mg daily in the three months leading up to treatment. Supplements can be purchased online, some patient have had success in accessing them online via Optimal Health, Metagenics and Bioclinical Naturals.

 

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Florou, P., Anagnostis, P., Theocharis, P., Chourdakis, M., & Goulis, D. (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, 2377-2387

 

Lafuente R, González-Comadrán M, Solà I, López G, Brassesco M, Carreras R, Checa MA. Coenzyme Q10 and male infertility: a meta-analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2013;30(9):1147–1156. doi: 10.1007/s10815-013-0047-5. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar