CoQ10 and Fertility: Boosting Your Chances Naturally

Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Published on: 08 Oct 2025

Life looks so different now, and people have new definitions of success and settling down. For some of you, studying and building a career may be the primary focus and no, we're not judging; no one should settle until it truly feels right. However, if you're someone who feels ready to settle down and start a family, that can be a beautiful priority. Still, is it that easy? You've probably seen or heard about the sharp rise in fertility issues today.

This article will shed light on the growing issue of infertility, explore its common causes, and explain how CoQ10, also known as ubiquinone, may help.

Let's Talk Infertility - The Growing Issue

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infertility is a condition of the male or female reproductive system, which includes the inability to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular, unprotected intercourse.

Infertility affects many people in their lifetime. Estimates show that around 17.5% of the adult population, which means around 1 in 6 worldwide, experience infertility.

What are the Common Causes of Infertility?

In both males and females, infertility can stem from various causes. In men, it is usually associated with sperm quality, while in women, it involves egg issues, implantation problems, and more. Below are some common causes:

Infertility in Women:

Ovulation Problems: Difficulty releasing an egg each month.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Affects ovulation and often involves insulin resistance, further impacting fertility.

Thyroid Issues: An Overactive or underactive thyroid can stop ovulation.

Premature r3 Failure: The ovaries stop functioning before the age of 40.

Surgical Scarring: Pelvic or cervical surgery may affect fertility.

Cervical Mucus Issues: Hormonal imbalances can lead to thick mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg.

Fibroids: Certain types, especially submucosal fibroids, may reduce fertility. Their location can distort the uterus and interfere with normal embryo implantation.

Endometriosis: Tissue growing outside the womb, along with inflammation and immune dysfunction, can impair egg quality, ovulation, and implantation.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Infection causing scarring that blocks egg travel.

Infertility in Men:

Poor Semen Quality: Low sperm count, no sperm, poor movement, or DNA damage to the sperm.

High Scrotum Temperature: Reduce semen quality.

Testicle Issues: Infections, surgeries, or injuries to the testicles.

Ejaculation Problems: Difficulty releasing semen during intimacy.

Hypogonadism (Low Testosterone): Low testosterone levels due to tumors, drugs, or other conditions.

It is essential to note that these issues are not always inherent or universal to men and women. Many factors can contribute to infertility, and one major factor is your changing lifestyle.

Yes, Lifestyle factors have a profound impact on fertility. Fertility can be influenced by what you eat, how well you sleep, where you live, and other behaviors.

That said, it's important to acknowledge that even if you do everything "right," you may still face challenges with fertility. It’s a complex issue with many contributing factors, some of which are still being understood.

Key lifestyle factors affecting fertility include, but are not limited to:

Nutrition, weight, and exercise

Physical and psychological stress

Environmental and occupational exposures

Substance and drug use

Medications

A lot of research is ongoing to tackle the issue of infertility, and various procedures are available to help couples conceive, including Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), surrogacy, and certain medications and supplements.

Among the supplements, there’s growing interest in the potential of CoQ10. Let's explore how it can help and what the studies are saying about it.

Also Read: Coenzyme Q10: 7 Incredible Benefits Getting Marred By A Few Side Effects.

What is the Role of CoQ10 in Fertility?

CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) is an antioxidant and an essential coenzyme that is involved in energy production within cells, particularly in the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell). It helps cells to produce the energy necessary for repair, growth, and function.

This makes it crucial for overall health and fertility, as energy production is vital for the development of healthy eggs and sperm. Dr. Natalie Crawford, a double board-certified OBGYN and REI, discusses how CoQ10 benefits fertility, which is as follows:

For Women:

Women are born with a limited number of eggs. Over time, these eggs can be affected by oxidative stress from factors like pollution, chemical exposure, poor diet, and high stress. This leads to DNA damage and reduced egg quality.

Aging itself is a key factor that reduces egg quality. As women age, eggs are more likely to develop genetic abnormalities due to chromosomal errors, decreased mitochondrial function, and increased oxidative stress. These make conception more difficult over time.

CoQ10 can support the mitochondria in eggs, helping maintain stable DNA and improving egg quality, which may increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

For Men:

Sperm are produced daily and are highly sensitive to oxidative stress and inflammation, which can negatively affect sperm quality, motility, and concentration.

Aging in men also affects sperm quality. With age, sperm may show reduced motility, abnormal shape, and increased DNA fragmentation. These raise the risk of infertility, miscarriage, and genetic issues in offspring.

CoQ10 helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, improving sperm quality by stabilizing sperm DNA and supporting sperm motility.

You might wonder if these CoQ10 fertility benefits are truly science-backed. Yes, some studies do support its potential benefits - let's explore them in the next section.

Two Studies Highlighting the Positive Impact of CoQ10 Supplementation on Fertility

● Study 1:

A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials aimed to evaluate the impact of CoQ10 supplementation on pregnancy outcomes. It discusses the pregnancy outcomes in women with infertility undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). The results focused on three key outcomes:

Clinical pregnancy rate (CPR)

Live birth rate (LBR)

Miscarriage rate (MR)

What were the results?

Clinical Pregnancy Rate (CPR): CoQ10 significantly increased CPR (28.8%) compared to placebo/no treatment (14.1%).

Live Birth Rate (LBR): No significant difference in LBR between CoQ10 (17.3%) and placebo (14.6%).

Miscarriage Rate (MR): No significant difference in MR between CoQ10 (12.5%) and placebo (15.6%).

CoQ10 improved the clinical pregnancy rate but did not affect live birth or miscarriage rates.

● Study 2:

A 2023 review discussed the potential of CoQ10 in improving female fertility. This review focuses on different reasons behind infertility in women, such as:

Problems with the number and health of eggs

Genital inflammation

Endometriosis and other related conditions.

It discusses how CoQ10 may help address these issues by examining its multifaceted effects on female reproductive health, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of its mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications in the future.

What were the key findings on CoQ10's benefits?

It can help reduce oxidative stress.

It can enhance mitochondrial function, which is essential for egg and embryo development.

CoQ10 can regulate immune balance, benefiting reproductive health.

It may help promote oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development.

It may help improve ovarian function and support ovulation.

CoQ10 may be beneficial for women with unexplained infertility.

While the results appear promising, further studies are ongoing to determine the optimal dosage and duration of CoQ10 supplementation.

CoQ10 Dosage for Fertility

Most people obtain approximately 3mg to 6mg of Coenzyme Q10 daily from their diet, primarily through the consumption of meat. However, most fertility specialists recommend taking between 400mg and 600mg of CoQ10 daily.

Conclusion

To conclude, CoQ10 is a promising ally in enhancing fertility. It supports mitochondrial health, mitigating oxidative stress to improve both egg and sperm quality. Research shows that it may enhance the clinical pregnancy rate. Its benefits include aiding in egg maturation, supporting ovarian function, and promoting overall reproductive health.

While it shows promise, more studies are needed to fine-tune the dosage and timing for optimal results. Additionally, when considering supplements for your fertility, it's always best to consult with your healthcare professional to determine what's right for you.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been assessed by the FDA. The information contained within this page is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.

References:

World Health Organization: WHO (2023) '1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility: WHO,' World Health Organization, 4 April. https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility.

Website, N. (2025) Causes. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/causes/.

What lifestyle and environmental factors may be involved with infertility in females and males? (2022). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infertility/conditioninfo/causes/lifestyle.

Natalie Crawford, MD (2024) COQ10: Can it help sperm and egg quality? Can it help fertility? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AycPoyJrf8E.

Florou, P. et al. (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(10), pp. 2377–2387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-020-01906-3.

Nie, X. et al. (2023) 'Coenzyme Q10 stimulate reproductive vatality,' Drug Design Development and Therapy, Volume 17, pp. 2623–2637. https://doi.org/10.2147/dddt.s386974.