CoQ10 for Fertility
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Wokingham
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of the most frequently discussed supplements in fertility circles, and for good reason — the research supporting its use for both egg quality and sperm function is among the strongest of any single supplement. I recommend it to the majority of my fertility patients, and I routinely discuss it alongside the TCM framework for understanding reproductive health.
What Is CoQ10?
CoQ10 is a fat-soluble compound produced naturally by the body and found in small amounts in foods such as oily fish, organ meats, and nuts. It plays an essential role in the mitochondrial electron transport chain — the process by which cells generate energy in the form of ATP. It is also a potent antioxidant, protecting cell membranes and DNA from oxidative damage. Natural CoQ10 production declines with age, particularly after 35 — which is one of the reasons that egg quality drops significantly in the mid-thirties.
CoQ10 and Egg Quality
The developing egg (oocyte) is the most metabolically active cell in the human body. It requires enormous amounts of mitochondrial energy to complete the meiotic divisions that produce a chromosomally normal embryo. When mitochondrial function is impaired — whether due to age, oxidative stress, or nutritional deficiency — errors in cell division become more likely, resulting in chromosomally abnormal embryos that fail to implant or miscarry early.
Research has shown that CoQ10 supplementation improves ovarian response to stimulation and egg quality in women with poor prognosis undergoing IVF. A randomised controlled trial published in Fertility and Sterility found that women with diminished ovarian reserve who took CoQ10 for 60 days before their IVF cycle had significantly higher fertilisation rates and a higher proportion of high-quality embryos compared to controls.
CoQ10 and Sperm Quality
The evidence for CoQ10 in male fertility is equally compelling. Sperm are highly vulnerable to oxidative damage because they have very limited antioxidant defences and high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their membranes. Oxidative stress is a major driver of sperm DNA fragmentation — a form of sperm damage that is closely associated with recurrent miscarriage and poor IVF outcomes. Multiple studies have shown that CoQ10 supplementation significantly improves sperm count, motility, and morphology, and reduces sperm DNA fragmentation.
How Much and What Form?
Most clinical trials have used doses between 200mg and 600mg per day. The ubiquinol form of CoQ10 is better absorbed than the ubiquinone form and is preferable for fertility purposes. Because sperm take approximately 90 days to develop and eggs take several months to mature, CoQ10 needs to be taken for at least three months to see its full benefit — ideally starting this well in advance of a planned IVF cycle or natural conception attempt.
CoQ10 in the Context of TCM
From a TCM perspective, the cellular energy that CoQ10 supports corresponds closely to kidney jing — the fundamental essence that governs reproductive capacity, development, and ageing. As kidney jing declines with age, the mitochondrial energy available to developing eggs also declines. I use CoQ10 as part of a broader fertility protocol that combines it with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine — particularly kidney and blood-tonifying formulas — to support reproductive function from multiple angles simultaneously.
For a personalised fertility supplement and treatment plan, contact me or book a consultation at my Wokingham clinic.
