CoQ10, short for coenzyme Q10, is a biological compound required for the basic functioning of the human cells. The human body produce their own coenzyme Q10. However, the natural body level of CoQ10 declines as you age.

CoQ10 is primarily found within your cells in an organelle known as mitochondria. Mitochondria is a major cell organelle that produces energy. For this reason it is also known as the powerhouse of the cell.

CoQ10 helps in storing energy in the cells. Highly active organs, like the liver, kidney, and heart, have the highest quantities of CoQ10.

Why Is CoQ10 Important For You?

Coenzyme Q10 exists in two forms: ubiquinone (inactive form) and ubiquinol (active form).

As the human body ages, the levels of CoQ10 naturally present in the body reduces. Consequently, our capacity to change CoQ10 into its active form, ubiquinol, also declines.

CoQ10 is also a potent antioxidant. It reduces the damage to cells caused by metabolic processes like oxidation. 

How To Improve Your CoQ10 Levels Naturally?

Meat, fish, dairy products, cereal, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and vegetable oils all contain CoQ10.

However, taking supplements can get you faster results. CoQ10 supplements increase the levels of CoQ10 in blood and tissues.

Further, CoQ10 is a very safe supplements and a dosage of 100 mg per day is recommended for adults who are above 30 years old.

Link Between CoQ10 And Fertility

A prominent Canadian study examined the effects of CoQ10 on mice and noticed that their fertility levels improved with regular consumption of CoQ10. 

Female mice that were given CoQ10 before ovarian stimulation produced more follicles and better quality eggs when compared to the mice that weren’t given any.

Researchers concluded that CoQ10 appeared to cause the old mice to produce eggs that showed quality and function that was similar to younger mice.

On the basis of this study, it was inferred that CoQ10 may also benefit women with low ovarian reserve and fertility issues. 

CoQ10 And Fertility In Women

The ovum or the female gamete or simply the egg, is a very large cell. It contains half a set of chromosomes, waiting for the other half from the sperm.

As soon as a sperm penetrates the egg and delivers the 23 chromosomes, the egg factory sets to work in full swing leading to embryo development.

Embryo development is a very energy intensive process for a woman. The mitochondria within the cells produce the energy required for this.

The egg also has a higher number of mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA as compared to other cells in the human body.

Why Older Women Find It Harder To Get Pregnant?

Egg quality and reduced energy production by the mitochondria are stated as the main reasons. There are many factors that affect egg quality with chromosomal abnormality being the main one.

The older you get the more likely you are to have abnormal chromosomes.

To counterfeit the issue of low egg quality and low mitochondrial energy experts have the best way forward was to increase the health and number of mitochondria in the eggs.

The thought behind this idea was that if there were enough energy reserves then the egg would be able to maintain chromosomal normalcy.

CoQ10 with its ability to create and store energy can help with increasing the energy in the mitochondria of human eggs and improve its quality.

What The Research Says

A 2018 study showed that pre-treatment for women with CoQ10 supplements improved their ovarian response. This was the case not just for old women but even young women.

When in IVF-ICSI cycles young women with poor ovarian reserve found that their ovarian response to stimulation and embryological parameters improved. 

A 2020 study showed that giving oral supplements of CoQ10 might help in increasing clinical pregnancy for women who were undergoing assisted reproductive technologies without affecting live birth and miscarriage rates.

This improvement in women was recorded when compared to other women taking placebo or no treatments.  

Dosage of CoQ10 for fertility

Estimates suggest that the average daily intake of coenzyme Q10 is around 3 mg to 6 mg. Many people consume this amount just through their diet in the form of meat products. 

But a person’s requirement of CoQ10 varies depending on their body needs, medical conditions, health complications, and the CoQ10’s interaction with other medicines and supplements taken. 

When it comes to fertility, specialists usually recommend a dosage that is between 100 mg and 600 mg daily. The maximum dosage can extend up to 1200 mg per day.

Final word

Theories support that an increase in CoQ10 through a woman’s diet or supplements can help with enhancing the fertility of a woman. But there is still a need for more research and controlled studies to give concrete evidence that will support the cause of CoQ10’s benefits for women’s fertility issues.

Having said that, there is nothing to stop a medical health practitioner from recommending the use of CoQ10 for this purpose. The coenzyme Q10 is present in every cell of the body and doesn’t cause any harm or damage to the body. It is a safer way to help women boost their fertility.

However, people who want to take CoQ10 supplements can do so after checking and getting a go-ahead from their doctor or fertility expert.