“It is thought that DHEA supplementation helps reduce chromosomal abnormalities, resulting in better egg and embryo quality, and a reduction in miscarriage, with a better term pregnancy outcome.”
What is DHEA?
DHEA is in a class of steroid hormones known as androgens. DHEA is a precursor to testosterone and estrogens. This means that those hormones are made from it. In women, DHEA is made in the adrenals and ovaries. DHEA is also sold in health foods stores as a bio-identical, over-the-counter nutritional supplement.
Can DHEA Supplementation Help You Get Pregnant?
While DHEA supplementation has been found to help women with DOR, it should only be used if advised by your doctor. There is easy access to DHEA as a supplement, so it can be tempting to want to try it for any fertility issue, but this may do more harm than good, as it can cause hormone imbalances.
Women with PCOS are advised to avoid this supplement, as their bodies often already have elevated levels of androgens and the common side effects of supplementation are two bothersome symptoms of PCOS – acne and hirsutism. Hirsutism is characterized by male pattern hair loss, with excessive body hair growth, including excess facial hair. This is not something women want to have to live with!
While doctors have been suggesting its use for years, there is little research to show it is beneficial for general fertility purposes. We advise only supplementing with DHEA if directed to do so by your doctor.
Who Can Benefit From DHEA Supplementation?
Women with confirmed diminished ovarian reserve due to the following reasons:
- Premature ovarian failure
- Premature ovarian aging
- Age-related infertility
- Poor response to IVF
Research on DHEA for Diminished Ovarian Reserve
According to a study published in Human Reproduction (Wiser et al., 2010), “Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation can have a beneficial effect on ovarian reserves for poor-responder patients on IVF treatment.”
Findings in this small study:
- 33 women took part in the study; all had significantly diminished ovarian reserve
- 16 were in the control group, 17 in the DHEA group
- Each woman was given 75 mg of DHEA once a day before starting the next IVF cycle and during treatment
- Improved embryo quality was noted during treatment between the first and second cycles
- Women in the DHEA group had higher live birth rates, compared with the controls (21% vs. 4%)
- It is important to note that six of the seven deliveries were among women with secondary infertility
- 12 women were older than 42
- There was no significant increase in estradiol (E2) levels among women in the DHEA group
- 1 woman in the DHEA group became naturally pregnant 45 days after DHEA use and was included in the live birth rate
Another study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Mamas and Mamas, 2009) found that DHEA supplementation at 50 – 75mg for at least 4 months prior to IVF, in women with confirmed diminished ovarian reserve, premature ovarian failure (POF) or premature ovarian aging, may result in:
- improved oocyte (ovum, egg) production
- improved embryo quality
- both improved egg production and embryo quality in women aged 40-47 years
- natural conception
- considerable improvement in intrauterine insemination (IUI) and IVF outcome, as well as pregnancy outcome
- reduced miscarriage risk
Yet another study reviewed (Gleicher, N. et al. 2009) miscarriage rates at fertility clinics in the United States and found that women with DOR that were treated with DHEA had a nearly identical miscarriage rate as compared to average populations. It is well known that infertile women with DOR have a much higher miscarriage rate than both average populations, and infertile women with normal ovarian reserve.
Researchers point to improved egg and embryo quality by reducing aneuploidy*. Anu – what? Aneuploidy speaks to chromosomal alignment. It is thought that DHEA supplementation helps reduce chromosomal abnormalities, resulting in better egg and embryo quality and a reduction in miscarriage, with a better term pregnancy outcome.
“Caution should, nevertheless, be exercised in concluding that observed DHEA effect can automatically be extrapolated to normal, fertile populations, though such a possibility deserves further investigation.”
Are There Side Effects?
Side effects reported for the use of DHEA in preparation for IVF were oily skin, hirsutism and acne. There have been other side effects reported at different dose levels and when utilized for other health issues.
Where Can You Get DHEA?
Should your doctor suggest you supplement with this, ask them for a reputable source. Research shows that DHEA supplements at local pharmacies and health food stores lack quality control and often do not contain the level of DHEA stated on the product label. You are going to want a high quality DHEA supplement to help ensure a positive outcome, as will your doctor, so they should be the best resource in helping you locate the DHEA supplement they find dependable.
To DHEA or Not – That is the Question!
Many fertility clinics have found increased results in helping women who were once told “you can only achieve pregnancy through egg donation” by simply having them supplement with DHEA prior to and through IVF. If you have diminished ovarian reserve and want to use DHEA as a supplement, you should definitely talk to your doctor about this frst.
It is important to note that DHEA is not going to resolve reproductive health-related infertility. It appears to focus on egg health, so while it may be helpful in achieving pregnancy, it is not going to fix other health-related fertility issues a person may be dealing with.
Have you used DHEA? What were your experiences? We would love to hear from you!
*aneuploidy medical definition
/an·eu·ploi·dy/ (an″u-ploi´de) any deviation from an exact multiple of the haploid number of chromosomes, whether fewer or more.
- Wiser, A., et al. (2010) Addition of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for poor-responder patients before and during IVF treatment improves the pregnancy rate: A randomized prospective study. IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Mamas, L., Mamas, E. (2009) Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in assisted reproduction: rationale and results. Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology: Issue 4 – p 306–308, August. doi: 10.1097/GCO.0b013e32832e0785
- Gleicher, N. et al. (2009) Miscarriage rates after dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation in women with diminished ovarian reserve: a case control study. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 7:108 doi:10.1186/1477-7827-7-108
- Fett, Rebecca. (2014) It Starts With the Egg: How the Science of Egg Quality Can Help You Get Pregnant Naturally, Prevent Miscarriage, and Improve Your Odds in IVF (pp. 155-171). New York: Franklin Fox Publishing
Practicing natural health and herbalism for over 18 years, Dalene received her training and herbal certification under the guidance of Lynn Albers at Yarmony Mt. Herbal College in Colorado in 2000. She went on to become a Certified Birth Doula at Birthingway College of Midwifery in Portland, Oregon in 2007. As a Birth Doula, Dalene has helped to bring many new lives in to this world. Dalene has written 280+ fertility articles and with her vast array of herbal and holistic healing knowledge has helped 1000’s of women on their journey to Motherhood.
Hello:
Our fertility doctor prescibed DHEA, 25mg, PO T10 to my wife as a first step in IVF procedure. DHEH cost 105$cdn at the front desk of his clinic. When I looked at Natural Store it cost 16$cdn. I wonder is that the same medication. Thanks.
Dear Elsaddig,
It is my best advice to take the DHEA your doctor has prescribed or ask him/her about the difference between it and that which you can purchase at the Natural Store. They may be different and you would not want to interfere with the controlled IVF process.
My best!
I am getting ready to begin HGH and gonal F stims for our final retrieval in Febraury. Will DHEA help us with our final round of IVF? I’m 41 and my husband is 46. Praying we will be able to have a baby with this final round of IVF, knowing that age is our enemy 🙁
Dear Katie,
This is a great question to discuss with your healthcare provider. He is best able to help you decide if DHEA is something to consider. As it is a hormone, one wouldn’t want to try it at this point or with fertility medications without guidance and approval from their primary healthcare provider.
Nothing but the best to you!
Is this product to be use only for IVF, or cn one use it if they want to conceive natural. Me and my boyfriend have decided that the time is right and want to start our family. We have about 3 months that we have sex w/o protection and I haven’t gotten pregnant. Would this help in any matter to get pregnant.
Dear Amber,
We suggest working with your healthcare provider if you wish to try taking DHEA, as it is a steroid hormone and can convert into the wrong hormones in the body if an improper amount it taken. DHEA can also go into androgen and estrogen pathways, causing more hormonal imbalance.
Our guide to DHEA and Your Natural Fertility shares more information about DHEA that may interest you.
I have a question. I was taking DHEA for 11 days and now the pregnancy test is positive. Can DHEA cause false positive test. I don`t take any others drugs…
Hi Marjeta,
I have never heard of DHEA causing a false positive pregnancy test. Only medications containing hCG would be able to do this.
Hi,
I know it is less recomended but still, do you think or have experience with taking DHEA during IVF treatment?
I am in the process already (due to DOR), and would rather not wait three months before starting a new cycle.
if so, what blood (or other?) test should be done to monitor my hormone levels? (heard that it can increase the progesterone..)
Many Thanks for your help
Hi mor,
Since you are going for IVF, it really would be best to ask your doctor these questions, they will be able to offer you suggestions based on your fertility profile. The research shows DHEA is helpful for women with DOR when going for IVF, so you will want to discuss this more with your doctor. Your doctor will monitor your hormone levels throughout the IVF process.
Best of luck!
Hi,
I have been taken DHEA (non micronized) for more than 5 months already. Is it better to take the micronized DHEA supplement? Do you think the non micronised version also works well enough?
Dear Katrin,
It would be best to have this conversation with your doctor. We advise only supplementing with DHEA if directed to do so by your doctor. He is able to suggest the proper form and dose for your needs. What I have learned is that micronized DHEA is processed in a way that may make it easier for the body to utilize for hormone production.
Take care!
Can DHEA be used with Maca/Vitex? My doctor suggested I start DHEA 75mg daily. He is not very familiar with Maca nor Vitex. I don’t want to cause a negative reaction, nor wait and see if there are any potential reactions. I am almost 40, time is precious. Thx!
Dear Diana,
DHEA, Fertilica Vitex and Fertilica Maca all are known to an impact on hormone balance. DHEA is actually considered a bio-identical hormone. If wishing to taken them all together, they can be combined, but it is going to be best to be monitored by your doctor to manager the proper dose of DHEA for your needs if need be. The article DHEA and Your Natural Fertility may help as well as you continue to decide the right natural fertility program for you.
All my best!
Although I do believe I received some short-term benefits from taking DHEA prior to getting pregnant, the side effects mentioned here are quite mild compared to the sickness I felt!
I was taking 125 mg per day- the recommended dosage on the bottle, and had tremendous energy levels, focus, drive, etc. for about 2-3 weeks. And then just about the exact opposite started happening for the next 2-3 weeks, and the withdrawals were a beast, even after I cut the dosage in half. Granted, I was taking DHEA and Maca when I got my first positive pregnancy test, and stopped both immediately. So please, be wary of this “supplement.” It’s banned in Canada as a steroid for a reason!
Dear Michelle,
I am sorry this had to be your experience and hope you are now well. Thank you for sharing your personal experience.
This is an insightful article. The advice to seek the guidance of a doctor is a sound one. as a clinician with a special interest in nutritional supplements and alternative medicine generally, I have noticed that many doctors trained in the Western style medicine have a jaundiced view about supplements. As such, most of them may not give an unbiased opinion on the matter of DHEA and infertility.
I used DHEA for four months and had great results with ovulation induction – collecting 15 or more eggs at a time – during my three cycles of IVF at age 45. While IVF didn’t work for us, we conceived easily only a couple of weeks after stopping treatment and expect our baby in late September this year (I’m now 46!). DHEA wasn’t the only supplement I tried, but I do think it contributed to our natural spontaneous pregnancy.
Dear Danae,
Congratulations! We wish for you a happy and healthy pregnancy. Thank you for sharing part of your story and what you feel worked for you.
Dear Danae,
Would you like to share which other supplements you took?
And congrats on your pregnancy!! 🙂
Hello Michelle!
Danae may not see your question/comment unless she comes back to this article. I just wanted you to know that she is not emailed directly.
It is important to remember no two fertility health journeys are the same and what worked for Danae, as you know I am sure, may not work for others.
Hi – please advise how long before an IVF cycle one would take DHEA if you go down that route? is it 3 months?
Dear Helle,
The length of time to take DHEA prior to IVF is best determined with the help of your healthcare provider. We don’t suggest taking DHEA on one’s own without guidance.
All my best!