NutriStack
Coenzyme Q10 and Combined Oral Contraceptive, a synergy.
Combined oral contraceptive use significantly decreases serum coenzyme Q10 levels in premenopausal women, mirroring the drop seen with statins. Although clinical consequences are not fully defined, restoring CoQ10 supports mitochondrial function and antioxidant capacity.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Coenzyme Q10 and Combined Oral Contraceptive
- Pair type
- Synergy
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Synergy · Moderate evidence
Synergy
What is happening. Combined oral contraceptive use significantly decreases serum coenzyme Q10 levels in premenopausal women, mirroring the drop seen with statins. Although clinical consequences are not fully defined, restoring CoQ10 supports mitochondrial function and antioxidant capacity.
Mechanism. Estrogen-induced shifts in lipoprotein metabolism reduce LDL-bound CoQ10 transport. Hepatic enzyme induction may also accelerate CoQ10 turnover.
Recommendation. Consider CoQ10 100-200 mg daily (ubiquinone or ubiquinol) while on combined oral contraception, particularly if you have fatigue, exercise intolerance, or take other CoQ10-depleting medications. Take with a meal containing fat.
Sources (2)
- Palan PR, Magneson AT, Castillo M, Dunne J, Mikhail MS. Effects of menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use on serum levels of lipid-soluble antioxidants. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006;194(5):e35-8. PMID 16647895
- Basciani S, Porcaro G. Counteracting side effects of combined oral contraceptives through the administration of specific micronutrients. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022;26(13):4846-4862. PMID 35856377
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Coenzyme Q10 and Combined Oral Contraceptive are in the same stack, this pair applies +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
Check your full routine
One pair was the worked example. NutriStack runs every pair in your stack at once.
Drop in your supplements and prescriptions and the public database surfaces every interaction, synergy, timing rule, and contraindication, every one linked to its primary source.