Ubiquinol: Male and Female Fertility Support.

Did you know that both sperm and egg cells develop over roughly three months before fertilisation? This means that the eggs and sperm you have today are actually influenced from 3 months ago! For this reason, this naturopath likes to add preconception support for AT LEAST 3 – 6 months before trying for a baby.

While supplementation with ubiquinol isn’t a guaranteed “fertility cure,” there is a very large amount of research to support that it can improve fertility outcomes.

What is Ubiquinol?

Ubiquinol is the active, antioxidant form of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). It plays a crucial role in energy production inside your cells and helps protect them from oxidative stress. Because both eggs and sperm require large amounts of energy and are sensitive to damage, ubiquinol is a popular supplement in preconception care for both women and men.

The reason for this is that, every egg and sperm cell relies on tiny structures called mitochondria — often referred to as the “power plants” of the cell. Mitochondria produce ATP, the energy currency your cells use to function. As we age and put our bodies under stress, have a poor diet, experience illness or expose ourselves to environmental toxins, our mitochondrial function declines. Long term this can affect our:

+ Egg maturation and chromosome stability
+ Embryo development
+ Sperm movement (motility)
+ Sperm DNA integrity

Ubiquinol encourages mitochondria to produce energy efficiently while acting as a powerful antioxidant, working to protect reproductive cells from oxidative damage.

For women, eggs are among the most mitochondria-rich cells in the human body. By supporting the body with ubiquinol, you are also supporting overall egg formation and as well as how they mature and function.

For males, again, it comes down to that so important mitochondrial function. Acting as a very potent antioxidant, Ubiquinol directly supports mitochondrial function, DNA integrity, motility (sperm movement), and semen concentration levels.

THE RESEARCH

We have seen many promising human trials for the use of Ubiquinol and improving semen parameters – and for me its almost a guaranteed prescription for fertility clients. Clinically, I have seen improved motility and morphology (through semen testing) and the research also shows this response within 3-6 months of prescription (along with dietary and lifestyle changes). Clinical trials have seen up to 53% increase in sperm count and around 26% improvement in overall motility.

The dosage of ubiquinol can differ person to person; factoring in age, gender, lifestyle, and general health history. It is also generally well tolerated, making it an easy addition to preconception planning, though it can be an expensive supplement, so the quality of the product really is key.

The research suggests that when using Ubiquinol:
+ may improve overall mitochondrial function in eggs and semen
+ improved ovarian response in IVF cycles
+ improved embryo quality markers
+ potentially higher fertilisation rates
+ improved sperm count
+ improved motility (sperm movement)
+ improved morphology (shape of semen – head, body and tail formation)
+ overall DNA integrity.

As always, we recommend speaking with your health practitioner before adding any supplements to your preconception and health routine. Clinically, we often use semen analysis and blood tests to have a clear understanding of an individual’s current health picture and go from there.

I recommend Alyce to my Acupuncture clients when needing Naturopathic support. You can consult with Alyce Cimino in person or via telehealth at aharahealth.com.au