Supplements during IVF cycle - Fertility Network UK

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Supplements during IVF cycle

Midsummer_daydream profile image

I understand supplements are subjective but I just read that taking Coenzyme Q10 during IVF can have negative impacts. I wish I knew it sooner as I did not stop this during my last 2 cycles. CoQ10 generally is used to improve egg and sperm quality hence should only be taken before egg retrieval, it has not been studied well during IVF cycle and pregnancy hence unless being advised it should not be taken.

What are you taking when your transfer begins? Are you continue taking your pre-conception multi vitamin tablet as it does contain CoQ10 or are you taking folic acid as a single pill?

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Midsummer_daydream profile image
Midsummer_daydream
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25 Replies
Klndmr profile image
Klndmr

Hey there, I've been using coQ10 ubiquinol only when on stims and up to EC. I mean I haven't had it prescribed by anyone it was my decision after reading it begins with the egg. Prior to transfers I've been on Omega 3, some multivitamins with iron, and b12 with Folic acid. That's what my consultant prescribed for me prior to my last two transfers and I'm still on them as I'm planning another transfer in April/May.

Midsummer_daydream profile image
Midsummer_daydream in reply toKlndmr

me too. I am on Omega 3, CoQ10, Pregnacare pre-conception tablet (everything listed is in), VitD and VitE.

Pregnacare pre conception has CoQ10 though, I am thinking to switch it to the one for pregnant women after transfer.

Klndmr profile image
Klndmr in reply toMidsummer_daydream

There is a really good supplement on Amazon which is b12 + folic acid the brand name is Horbaach xxx

Roobs33 profile image
Roobs33

heya,

I saw a nutritionist and was on omega 3, a pre pregnancy multivitamin, magnesium and also coq10 but in the form of drops that I took with water. I didn’t get on very well with pregnacare as it made miss a period and made my urine bright yellow. I found one that was a capsule which didn’t do that. I stopped taking the coq10 and magnesium once I’d had my egg collection.

Wishing you all the best x

Eggfreezer2015 profile image
Eggfreezer2015

In prep for transfer I am on probiotic, Pregnacare original (so like I’m pregnant) I’m topping up folic acid as my marker was initially low, vit d, omega 3, vit E and b complex, magnesium and zinc. Whilst some of these are in the Pregnacare the levels are low. You might talk to your clinic about this.

Midsummer_daydream profile image
Midsummer_daydream in reply toEggfreezer2015

probiotic seems to be common to prepare for transfer, I haven't taken it. Are you going for a general ones or any in particular?

Eggfreezer2015 profile image
Eggfreezer2015 in reply toMidsummer_daydream

I am taking bio kult you can get them in most places including boots. I take one in the morning on an empty tummy.

Midsummer_daydream profile image
Midsummer_daydream in reply toEggfreezer2015

ah great idea, save me from reading the label of most probiotics. I just can't decide do we need 10,000 or 20,000 bacteria 😅

Eggfreezer2015 profile image
Eggfreezer2015 in reply toMidsummer_daydream

I chose this one independently not sure about others tbh.

Mlove12 profile image
Mlove12

This is really interesting as I also took coq10 throughout my past two rounds and after transfer. I wasn’t aware of this so thank you for bringing it to attention. Should coq10 be stopped before transfer then? And how soon should women take it in the lead up to stims etc? X

Midsummer_daydream profile image
Midsummer_daydream in reply toMlove12

From what I read it should be taken before EC as that is when it plays the best part. It doesn't mean taking it after transfer is harmful but there is no obvious study to support the role of CoQ10 so I think it is best we cut it out as it is quite potent supplement. Any supplements should be taken 3-6 months to show any impact so I would say CoQ10 would be best to take at least 3 months leading up to EC, for improving quality of egg and sperms.

Mlove12 profile image
Mlove12 in reply toMidsummer_daydream

Thats really helpful thank you for responding and best of luck with treatment 🤗x

sj482 profile image
sj482

this is interesting as pregnacare conception contains coq10 and it says you can continue and finish up the box

Sunflower-123 profile image
Sunflower-123 in reply tosj482

My pregnacare has 20mg. My consultant said I should be taking 800mg of COQ10 a day. They didn’t say when to stop though.

Midsummer_daydream profile image
Midsummer_daydream in reply toSunflower-123

800mg is really high comparing to CoQ10 200mg I bought from Holland Barret, it says take 1 a day. I guess CoQ10 comes in 2 form, ubiquinol is the end product you would like to have eventually

Ushm profile image
Ushm

Have you considered Impryl?

Advised by my consultant to take it and has some good clinical data behind it.

Midsummer_daydream profile image
Midsummer_daydream in reply toUshm

no I haven’t heard about it. I’ll check it out, thank you

StarsAllAround profile image
StarsAllAround

Hi, I was always told to stop coq10 after egg collection and just to continue with folic acid and switch from pre pregnancy vitamins to pregnancy vitamins. X

Midsummer_daydream profile image
Midsummer_daydream in reply toStarsAllAround

yes that’s actually very helpful. My consultant did not give me any advice except the general of taking multi vitamin tablet containing folic acid. This is exactly what I read and I’m switching like you said in my next cycle

Bonaire profile image
Bonaire

This is really helpful as I didn’t know about the Coq10 not after EC either!!

I’m taking pregncare with the Coq10 in it. I haven’t been taking omega 3 though ! Unless it’s in the Pregnacare - can someone tell me what it helps please ? Thanks x

Midsummer_daydream profile image
Midsummer_daydream in reply toBonaire

The Pregnacare should have everything so you are not missing out the necessity. People take extra supplements to support what they need to improve. Omega 3 has been studied to support egg quality and fertility in general so I’m taking extra, together with VitD, E, C and other

Bonaire profile image
Bonaire in reply toMidsummer_daydream

Ah thank you for getting back to me ! It’s such a job to know what to do for the best!! X

I took Inofolic alpha sachets for around 3 months and up until transfer, my partner took Impryl and transfer was 2nd November. Since transfer I started taking Ritual prenatal and probably silly but I made sure I had a glass of Kefir and pomegranate juice a day from the start of stims until around a month after transfer… I was also prescribed cyclogest for 12 weeks. Good luck! X

Midsummer_daydream profile image
Midsummer_daydream in reply to

Kefir has probiotics and it is doing good things for your diet!

alockie profile image
alockie

I follow recommendations of my doc and theirs: fertilityroad.com/mag/how-t... Healthy style is important: eating organic food, drinking water, etc. And also you need to take vitamins starting 3 months prior to ttc or IVF. Taking supplements without adopting healthy habits won't boost your chances. Hope this helps.

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