3 Reasons Women with PCOS Need CoQ10 - PCOS Diva

Shawna Darou

What is Coenzyme Q10?

Coenzyme Q10, commonly known as CoQ10, is an antioxidant which has many different functions in the body – including energy production, growth and maintenance of cells, and metabolism.  Its role as an antioxidant also benefits immunity, fatigue, heart health, and plays a crucial role in the reproductive system. CoQ10 is known as a mitochondria nutrient – your mitochondria are the energy centers inside all of your cells.

Coenzyme Q10 for Women with PCOS

There are three main reasons a woman with PCOS may consider CoQ10 supplementation, and I’ll review each of them along with the related research.

1) Metabolic and cholesterol parameters in PCOS: In women with PCOS, CoQ10 supplementation even at a fairly low dose of 100 mg daily can have a significant beneficial impact glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and also lower LDL-cholesterol levels. This adds to previous research showing many positive impacts of CoQ10 on cardiovascular health, including raising HDL cholesterol, lowering inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, and reducing blood pressure to name a few.

2) Egg Quality for Fertility in PCOS: With age, egg quality and maturation declines, along with CoQ10 utilization by the mitochondria (the “powerhouse”) of the eggs. The reduced utilization impacts energy production and results in egg damage, affecting the quality of an embryo. The use of CoQ10 in women with PCOS has proven to reduce oxidative stress and improve egg quality. Furthermore, increased concentrations of CoQ10 in the body are correlated with higher grade embryos and better embryo development in IVF. Dosing for egg quality tends to be on the higher end of the spectrum, with most sources agreeing with 600-800 mg of CoQ10 daily.