DHEA: What you need to know
- nataliagardneracup
- Sep 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 11
DHEA and low AMH
Let’s look at the evidence for DHEA and optimising pregnancy outcomes. Do you need to supplement with DHEA for low AMH? Who would be candidates for treatment? And what risks are there?
What is DHEA?
Dehydroepiandrosterone is a hormone precursor produced naturally by the adrenal glands. The ovaries use DHEA to produce testosterone and oestrogen.
DHEA has been linked in scientific studies to improving egg quantity. As DHEA declines with age and has a vital role in hormone production, it has been used in clinical studies to slow age related fertility problems and increase testosterone. It has also been found to be low in women with autoimmunity and poor ovarian function.
For example, if the ovaries cannot produce enough DHEA, testosterone production lowers which impairs the early stage of egg development. This results in fewer follicles being recruited each month and fewer arriving at the stage that they would produce AMH.
You may have sufficient dormant eggs in reserve but they have failed to be recruited each month, leading to a low follicle count and a low AMH.
DHEA has the most benefit for early stage follicles that are at least three months from ovulation.
How do you know if you need DHEA?
DHEA is a prescription only medication in the UK. Therefore your fertility consultant may prescribe it if you have low levels of the hormone DHEA- sulphate. This can be tested by a standard blood test either at your fertility clinic or from the online blood testing service, Medichecks at the link below.
Who Can Benefit From DHEA?
IVF patients diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve
Patients over the age of 40
Women who produced few eggs in a previous IVF cycle
Low DHEA-Sulphate blood test
When not to take DHEA:
If you have less than 1 month prior to starting IVF, as high levels of DHEA in the final stages of egg production impairs rather than supports the egg development and quality. DHEA should be started at least 3 months before trying to conceive naturally or before IVF and should be stopped one month prior to both. It is a preparation supplement rather than a continual use supplement.
DHEA also isn’t recommended for women with fibroids or endometriosis as it increases oestrogen production. However, some clinics do recommend it for short term use with good results for egg production.
DHEA isn’t usually recommended for women with PCOS as DHEA increases the level of testosterone and PCOS is characterised by high androgens. However, there does exist a subcategory of PCOS patients who have low testosterone levels. DHEA has been able to help these patients as reported by Dr Gleicher at the Centre of Human Reproduction.
DHEA and miscarriage
Some evidence shows that DHEA may reduce chromosomal abnormalities in eggs which increases the chance of a successful pregnancy according to Fett (2023).
What do studies show?
Increase in number of eggs produced during IVF in 5 women (Baylor University)
Randomised controlled trials in 2016 and 2018 showed that DHEA given for at least 3 months improved pregnancy rates in IVF.
Case studies have shown women with premature ovarian failure or premature ovarian insufficiency who were given repeated treatment with DHEA resumed normal cycles and conceived naturally.
Some meta analyses showed significant benefits of DHEA and some did not.
I hope this helps to shed some light on why you might be prescribed DHEA or why it would not be recommended for you or the stage of fertility treatment you are currently at.
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