Whether you’ve recently started trying for a kid or have been trying for a while now, you’ve probably heard about the hype around Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
Can CoQ10 help you get pregnant? Should you supplement with CoQ10 when trying to conceive (TTC) with your partner?
Below, we explore the must-know relationship between Coenzyme Q10, sperm production, and egg development so you understand the vital role of this antioxidant in conception. You’ll also learn more about twoplus Fertility’s CoQ10 with Vitamin B1 supplement to see why it benefits your fertility journey.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended as medical advice.
What Is CoQ10 Good For?
CoQ10 is a formidable molecule that exists in two states:
- Ubiquinol (the active form)
- Ubiquinone (the inactive form)
For your body to tap on CoQ10, this antioxidant needs to be converted from its inactive form to its active form.
The good news: The human body naturally produces CoQ10, a substance that generates energy for cellular function.
You can picture this potent antioxidant as the fuel for mitochondria (aka the power generator in every cell of your body, including your reproductive cells) for energy production.
The bad news: Your body’s Coenzyme Q10 levels naturally decrease as you age.
This may negatively affect the complex processes of creating and maintaining healthy eggs and sperm. As you can imagine, this impacts your chances of a successful pregnancy — more details in the following sections.
Sperm Regeneration
Sperm regeneration — your body’s ability to create new sperm — is a process that takes up a lot of energy. In fact, an animal-based study discovered that producing new sperm “is more biologically taxing than previously thought.”
Given the energy-providing nature of Coenzyme Q10, it’s understandable how lower concentrations of this antioxidant might negatively alter important semen parameters.
For instance, less energy might reduce sperm motility, in which sperm move less efficiently toward the egg. (If you’re interested, check out our post on TTC With Low Sperm Motility.) This brings down the likelihood of fertilization when the sperm meets and fuses with the egg to form an embryo.
Egg Development
Did you know that the egg is the largest cell in the human body and uses more energy than non-reproductive cells? A recent scientific article published in 2022 explained that mature egg cells undergo a crucial metabolic reaction to produce energy.
Unsurprisingly, an age-related drop in CoQ10 levels coincides with the decline in female fertility levels as we grow old. Animal studies showed that CoQ10 supplementation slowed down ovarian reserve loss (read: low Anti-Mullerian Hormone levels) and helped with egg quality.
While more human-based clinical trials are needed, the current findings suggest that people with ovaries may reap similar benefits with CoQ10 supplements.
Can CoQ10 Help You Get Pregnant? Here’s What Science Says
As mentioned above, our natural CoQ10 reserves decrease as we age, which occurs in both men and women. Science suggests adding CoQ10 supplements to your diet to help bolster your body’s CoQ10 production.
CoQ10 Benefits for Women
You’re probably wondering, “Are there any notable CoQ10 benefits for women?” Diving deep into the scientific literature reveals some must-know insights for TTC people who ovulate.
A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of 449 infertile women undergoing ART (artificial reproductive technology like IVF and IUI) analyzed the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on pregnancy outcomes. The review spotlighted some surprising findings in terms of taking CoQ10 with other antioxidants:
- Pairing CoQ10 with clomiphene citrate (a commonly used infertility drug) actually enhanced ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- CoQ10 combined with ʟ-carnitine (an antioxidant needed to break down fatty acids) increased clinical pregnancy rates.
- Taking CoQ10 with melatonin improved egg quality compared to solely supplementing with melatonin.
Of course, more data is needed to confirm CoQ10 alone is sufficient in boosting fertility rates in fertile, subfertile, and infertile individuals with a female reproductive system.
CoQ10 Benefits for Men
Men also lucked out when supplementing with CoQ10 when trying for a baby with their partner.
A small-scale 2022 study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine explained the potential CoQ10 benefits for men:
- Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress, a key contributor to male infertility.
- Long-term CoQ10 supplementation may improve sperm health.
In this study, individuals with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia (OA) — a condition marked by low sperm motility and a low sperm count — alongside healthy participants were given 300 milligrams of CoQ10 per day for three months.
The results showed:
- Greater sperm motility
- A greater seminal CoQ10 amount
- Lower oxidative stress
- A higher total antioxidant capacity, which translates to a more robust antioxidant response
The researchers concluded that “CoQ10 could be a promising treatment” for TTC men and “may improve their fertility potential.” If you’re interested in other male fertility supplements, check out our post on Prenatal Vitamins For Men.
Other Health Benefits of CoQ10
Besides boosting fertility, CoQ10 provides additional health benefits because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In particular, this molecule offers protection against the following:
- Heart diseases
- Obesity
- Viral infections
What’s in twoplus’ CoQ10 With Vitamin B1 Supplement
At twoplus Fertility, we’ve made it our mission to cover all your TTC bases. Besides our home fertility tools like the Sperm Guide and the Applicator Extra, we’ve also created the CoQ10 with Vitamin B1 supplement.
Our fertility supplement helps to:
- Support healthy egg quality
- Support optimal sperm motility so sperm can swim efficiently to meet the egg
It contains all the goodness of Coenzyme Q10 and more — we’ve added vitamin B1 for an added boost!
Here’s why: Vitamin B1, or thiamin, is a water-soluble vitamin present in most foods like meat, fish, and whole grains. But we may not always get enough vitamin B1 from our diet. A study done by Japanese researchers found that severe vitamin B1 deficiency is linked to a higher risk of miscarriages and infertility based on mice models.
While human-based studies are needed to verify this finding, the same study highlighted that thiamin insufficiency is a real concern among people with higher-than-average energy requirements (read: men) and those who regularly consume foods with anti-thiamin components like sashimi.
If you belong to either group or just want to err on the side of caution, twoplus’ CoQ10 with Vitamin B1 will be a good choice.
Are There Any CoQ10 Side Effects To Take Note Of?
CoQ10 supplements are generally well-tolerated when taken at the recommended dosage and frequency.
That said, some people might experience mild side effects such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Mild insomnia
In addition, CoQ10 is generally not recommended for:
- Individuals with chronic diseases like kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes
- Individuals who are on warfarin therapy
- Patients undergoing chemotherapy
- Breastfeeding mothers
- Infants & children
As always, check in with your primary doctor before consuming CoQ10 dietary supplements.
CoQ10: The Energy Force Behind Your Fertility Health
CoQ10 is the driving force behind your fertility health, literally. It’s all the more crucial to get enough of this substance when you’re trying to get pregnant.
Yet, we understand that sometimes modern life gets in the way, causing you to fall short of the recommended dietary intake for CoQ10 (which varies according to individual needs, so it’s best to consult your doctor).
That’s where twoplus’ CoQ10 With Vitamin B1 supplements comes in handy. Each pill contains vitamin B1 and 100 milligrams of Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) to supplement your TTC journey toward a BFP.