One of the identified causes of infertility in women is the low number and quality of eggs that are available for fertilization. This condition is known as diminished ovarian reserve. Diminished ovarian reserve not only affects the natural ability of a woman to get pregnant, but this condition is also linked to low IVF success rates.

Intake of DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is one of the proposed strategies to address diminished ovarian reserve and improve IVF success. Here’s a quick overview on what DHEA is and how it affects ovarian reserve during fertility treatment.

What is DHEA?

DHEA is a hormone that is synthesized and secreted naturally by the adrenal glands. Through a series of biochemical reactions, DHEA is converted to estrogen or testosterone in different parts of the body, such as breasts, prostate, muscles, bones, adipose tissue, and brain. DHEA is particularly important in women, because it is the precursor of 75% of estrogen in pre-menopausal women and up to 100% of estrogen in post-menopausal women¹.

Estrogen is the main female hormone which promotes the maturation of egg cells in women. Because of role of DHEA in maintaining estrogen levels in the body, the use of DHEA in improving the ovarian reserve in women is being explored as a way to increase fertility rates.

Does DHEA really boost ovarian reserve?

Studies have shown that DHEA significant increases ovarian reserve in women who were previously poor responders to IVF treatment. For example, a study showed that treatment with DHEA resulted in higher estradiol levels and increased antral follicle counts, which are markers of ovarian reserve².

A similar study conducted in 2010 showed that DHEA improves ovarian environment and the quality of eggs and embryo. Administration of DHEA resulted in increased pregnancy rates and lower incidence of miscarriage³.

Another study showed that intake of DHEA supplements significantly increased the spontaneous pregnancy rate in women with long-term infertility⁴.

The exact process by which DHEA boosts ovarian reserve and egg quality is not yet known. According to scientists, one possible mechanism is that DHEA has a direct anti-aging effect on the ovary. DHEA is thought to increase the pool of follicles, or immature eggs, and facilitate their development to become mature eggs. DHEA is also thought to prevent the deterioration and death of existing follicles⁵.

Despite the availability of evidence of the benefits of DHEA on fertility, not all fertility experts would recommend DHEA. This is due to the conflicting results of clinical trials and the still unknown mechanism by which DHEA improves fertility.

Learn more about DHEA

To learn more about DHEA and to know if you are suitable to receive DHEA supplements to improve your fertility, it is best to consult your trusted IVF clinic or fertility specialist. Your IVF doctor further explain the benefits of DHEA and the risk and side effects associated with the treatment.

References

1. Rutkowski, K., Sowa, P., Rutkowska-Talipska, J., Kuryliszyn-Moskal, A., and Rutkowski, R. (2014). Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): Hypes and Hopes. Drugs. 74:1195-1207.
2. Hyman, J., Margalioth, E., Rabinowitz, R., Tsafrir, A., Gal, M., Alerhand, S., Algur, N., and Eldar-Geva, T. (2013). DHEA supplementation may improve IVF outcome in poor responders: a proposed mechanism. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 168(1):49-53.
3. Urman, B. and Yakin, K. (2012). Does dehydroepiandrosterone have any benefit in fertility treatment. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 24:132-135.
4. Fusi, F., Ferrario, M., Bosisio, C., Arnoldi, M., and Zanga, L. (2013). DHEA supplementation positively affects spontaneous pregnancies in women with diminished ovarian function. Gynecol Endocrinol. 29(10):940-3.
5. Gleicher, N., Weghofer, A., and Barad D. (2010). Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) reduces embryo aneuploidy: direct evidence from preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 8:140-144.