Evidence explainerFertility & Prenatal

CoQ10, Myo-Inositol and Other Fertility Supplements: What the Trials Actually Show

Cochrane reviews rate the evidence for antioxidant and inositol supplements in women trying to conceive as low to very low quality. CoQ10 looks most promising for women with a poor IVF response, and a large trial of folic acid and zinc for men found no benefit.

By Kymata Health editorial teamPublished October 10, 2026Last verified October 10, 2026

Medical review pending. Written by our editorial team from the studies and documents cited below; a credentialed clinician has not reviewed it yet. Educational only, not medical advice.

Key takeaways

  • A Cochrane review of 63 trials (7,760 women) found low- to very low-quality evidence that antioxidants, including CoQ10 and myo-inositol, may help subfertile women, and was uncertain whether they raise live birth rates [1].
  • In a 2023 network meta-analysis of 16 trials (2,323 women with poor ovarian response to IVF), CoQ10 was linked to higher clinical pregnancy (odds ratio 2.22) and live birth (odds ratio 2.36) rates than standard stimulation alone [2].
  • A Cochrane review of 13 myo-inositol trials in subfertile women with PCOS rated the evidence low to very low quality [3], and the 2023 PCOS guideline calls inositol experimental therapy for infertility [4].
  • In the FAZST trial of 2,370 couples, 5 mg folic acid plus 30 mg zinc for men did not improve semen quality or live births (34% vs 35%) [5].

Antioxidants for women: what Cochrane found

The 2020 Cochrane review pooled 63 trials of oral antioxidants, including CoQ10, myo-inositol, melatonin, N-acetylcysteine, vitamins and omega-3s. Because the evidence was very low quality, the authors were uncertain whether antioxidants improve live birth; low-quality evidence suggested they may improve clinical pregnancy rates, with no sign of more miscarriages [1].

In March 2026 Cochrane added an editorial note: seven included studies have since been retracted and two carry expressions of concern; the editors judged that removing them does not meaningfully change the conclusions [1]. Only 27 of the 63 trials reported their funding [1].

CoQ10 and poor ovarian response

The strongest signal for CoQ10 is in women who produce few eggs during IVF. A 2023 network meta-analysis of 16 randomized trials in 2,323 such women found CoQ10 was associated with higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates than ovarian stimulation alone, though the confidence intervals were wide (live birth odds ratio 2.36, 95% CI 1.07 to 5.38) [2].

These are small trials in an IVF population, so they do not show that CoQ10 helps women trying to conceive naturally. See our CoQ10 monograph for forms and doses.

Myo-inositol and PCOS

A Cochrane review of 13 trials in 1,472 subfertile women with PCOS, mostly taking myo-inositol before IVF, rated the evidence low to very low quality [3]. The 2023 international PCOS guideline says inositol, alone or combined with other treatments, should be considered experimental therapy for infertility in PCOS, with benefits and risks too uncertain to recommend it as a fertility treatment [4].

Our inositol for PCOS guide covers its metabolic effects, where the evidence is somewhat better.

Supplements for men

Supplements marketed for male fertility commonly contain folic acid and zinc [5]. In FAZST, a multicenter trial of 2,370 couples planning infertility treatment, men took 5 mg folic acid and 30 mg zinc or placebo daily for 6 months. Live births did not differ (34% vs 35%), most semen measures did not change, and sperm DNA fragmentation rose slightly with the supplement (29.7% vs 27.2%) [5].

The supplement group also had more abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting [5]. The authors concluded the findings do not support folic acid and zinc for male partners in infertility treatment [5].

Quick answers

Should I take CoQ10 while trying to conceive?

The best evidence is in women with a poor ovarian response to IVF, from small trials [2]; for subfertile women overall, Cochrane rates antioxidant evidence low to very low quality [1].

Does myo-inositol help you get pregnant with PCOS?

It has not been shown to. The 2023 PCOS guideline calls it experimental for infertility [4], and a Cochrane review rated the evidence low to very low quality [3].

More in Fertility & Prenatal

References

  1. [1]Antioxidants for female subfertility (Cochrane review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2020. PMID 32851663
  2. [2]TEAS, DHEA, CoQ10, and GH for poor ovarian response undergoing IVF-ET: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol, 2023. PMID 37464357
  3. [3]Inositol for subfertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (Cochrane review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2018. PMID 30570133
  4. [4]Recommendations From the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2023. PMID 37580314
  5. [5]Effect of Folic Acid and Zinc Supplementation in Men on Semen Quality and Live Birth Among Couples Undergoing Infertility Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 2020. PMID 31910279

Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Prescription options need a licensed clinician. Talk to your clinician or pharmacist before starting anything new, especially if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Keep reading: Supplements and vitamins

Supplements and vitamins: every page →Supplement & Nutrient Encyclopedia →Browse all topics →

Previous in this topicPrenatal Vitamins: What the Evidence Says About Folic Acid vs Methylfolate, Choline, DHA and IodineFolic acid, started before pregnancy, is the prenatal ingredient with the strongest evidence.Next in this topicTrying to Conceive? Medicines and Supplements to Stop or Review FirstA few things need to stop well before you try: semaglutide at least 2 months ahead, isotretinoin at least 1 month ahead, and high-dose vitamin A.Methylene Blue & NAD+ Peptides: The Mitochondrial Enhancement StackMethylene blue acts as an alternative electron carrier in the mitochondrial chain.NMN vs NR vs NAD+: Precursors, Coenzyme, and What Head-to-Head Human Data ShowNMN vs NR vs NAD+ comparison using opened human precursor trials.NAD+ Injections vs IV vs Oral: The EvidenceNo NAD+ injection or IV product is FDA-approved; prescription NAD+ is compounded under an FDA interim policy.

Evidence-graded supplement stacks →