Any issues with CoQ10?

kjones202

After one fresh and one frozen IVF cycle with no success, my doctor put me on a vitamin regimine for a few months before starting IVF again.  One of the vitamins is CoQ10, along with Vitamin C and E and melatonin.  Has anyone done this with success?  Any issues with cycle?  My period is several days late, but I took an at-home test and it came back BFN.  

[Deleted User]

Those all sound like fine things to be on, and I know many people on here are on/have been on CoQ10.  Do you think it is elongating your cycle or something?  

I suggest reading the newbie thread!  I think it would be really helpful to you.

mrsdee15

Interesting... I just started taking CoQ10 and this cycle is 6 days longer than my past ones.  I attributed it to just being a wonky cycle though.  There is an infertility board here that may be more helpful, I've never done IVF.  Did your doctor mention anything about it elongating cycles?  I also suggest the newbie thread if you haven't already read it, and if you'd like feel free to jump in on our Waiting to Ovulate (WTO) and Two-Week Wait (TWW - after ovulation) threads.  We talk a lot about this kind of thing in those threads.  

babymish

@kjones202 I'm no expert on the subject but I did start taking it towards the end of my last cycle and for all of this one as it helps to improve egg quality and gives the egg the energy it needs. I appear to have ovulated as usual with no delay - in fact it was a day or two earlier than I thought. I know that it's also a good supplement to take throughout pregnancy.

NamelessAria

I've been taking CoQ10 and vitamin E since last cycle. I've also been doing low dose melatonin (only 300mcg compared to the usualy 3-5mg dose) during the luteal phase and the first 5 days of my cycle. So far the past two cycles I've ovulated on CD14 and CD15 respectively. So it seems fine so far.

So this cycle you're on now, since it is between IVF cycles is it medicated? Or are you Oing naturally? The reason I ask is because melatonin is known to delay O during unmedicated cycles. Melatonin is usually only really recommended, at least in the standard 3mg+ dose, for IVF patients because of it's ability to delay/inhibit ovulation.

letyourheartbeyourguide

CoQ10 (like other anti-oxidants) is said to improve egg quality, which is why it's often recommended before IVF cycles. But keep in mind that its benefits are during the egg maturation process, which is 2-3 months before an egg is released - so to get the full effect, it's recommended to start taking CoQ10 2-3 months before TTC/IVF. 

The book "It Starts With the Egg" is a good resource about egg quality.

I've started taking 100mg twice per day of CoQ10 in the ubiquinol form to improve egg quality after my most recent loss, and haven't noticed any effect on my ovulation days.

ETA: I'm sorry that I skimmed and missed that you're taking supplements for a few months before trying again. In that case, I would definitely suggest checking out the book - there are a lot of ideas in there about improving egg quality, including supplements, dietary changes, etc. In addition to CoQ10, I also take r-alpha lipoic acid (100mg/day).

Also, I have read that melatonin can delay ovulation - so I would suspect if anything it's the melatonin not the CoQ10. That's the reason why I'm not supplementing with melatonin because we're TTC naturally, but for IVF it isn't a problem - just might be slightly lengthening your cycles in the meantime.

[Deleted User]

Just wanted to give a shout out to all you ladies for being so knowledgeable and awesome

houseofsetters

I started the Ubiquinol form of CoQ10 last cycle, and O was on the late side, but not any later than it's been in the past.

Do you temp? I wonder if O was delayed or if somehow your luteal phase was lengthened. Either way, I've never heard of CoQ10 having that effect, but I'll be following this thread to see everyone's experiences.

I also highly recommend It Starts With the Egg if you haven't already read it.

LadyMillil

kjones202 said:

After one fresh and one frozen IVF cycle with no success, my doctor put me on a vitamin regimine for a few months before starting IVF again.  One of the vitamins is CoQ10, along with Vitamin C and E and melatonin.  Has anyone done this with success?  Any issues with cycle?  My period is several days late, but I took an at-home test and it came back BFN.  

CoQ10 hasn't changed my cycle length. As far as I know it is supposed to improve egg quality, which can improve success rates with IVF, but this shouldn't have any impact on the length of your cycle. I would suspect the melatonin delayed ovulation, which would make your cycle longer than normal.

ReesaAnne16

CoQ10 has not changed my cycle length, I take 100mg once a day.

SnobunnieMel

I take a few supplements (ovaboost by fairhaven) that have a combo of coenzymeq who and melatonin and vitamins that are meant to improve egg quality. I'm guessing that was the rationale. I've been on it at all times in between losses so it's hard to say if it helps much or not. My cycles didn't change length when i first began it from my unmedicated ones though

kjones202

You all are so helpful!  Thank you!  Yes, after reading this, I now suspect that it might be the melatonin that is affecting the delay.  I'm going to my RE tomorrow for bloodwork to confirm that everything is good, but I do feel much better after reading all of your advice.  Thank you again!