DHEA is a dietary supplement that has been associated with increased pregnancy rates and reduced miscarriage rates in a few studies, but there is still insufficient scientific evidence to conclude that it is effective for treating infertility. Consult your doctor before considering any dietary changes to increase fertility.
Definition of DHEA
DHEA is dehydroepiandrosterone, a hormone produced by the body and secreted by the adrenal glands. Although DHEA can be made in the laboratory from chemicals found in soy and yam, the body cannot make DHEA from these foods, so eating soy and yam does not increase DHEA in the body. DHEA as a dietary supplement has been advertised as useful for enhancing a wide range of bodily functions, even though scientific evidence is insufficient to support most of these claims.
Scientific Claims
Dr. A. Wiser and colleagues reported findings in the October 2010 issue of "Human Reproduction" that showed improved pregnancy rate in women undergoing in vitro fertilization if they used DHEA. Dr. N. Gleicher and colleagues published a study in the October 2009 issue of "Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology" concluding that DHEA use may be effective in decreasing the miscarriage rate among older women.
Scientific Evidence
According to the National Institutes of Health's patient information website, there is insufficient scientific evidence to rate the effectiveness of DHEA to treat infertility. A search of ClinicalTrials.gov, a federal registry of clinical trials, revealed five studies investigating the role of DHEA supplementation as an aid to IVF. These studies are in various stages of completion and patient recruitment. Additional research is necessary to determine conclusively whether the encouraging preliminary results of DHEA use for enhancing infertility treatments will be supported by additional clinical studies.
Precautions and Warnings
Patients considering the use of DHEA supplements to augment fertility treatments should discuss DHEA use with their doctor before starting any treatments. According to MedlinePlus, even if DHEA is proven to be effective, the quantity of active DHEA found in supplements is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and can vary widely between manufacturers and even between different lots from the same manufacturer. Ideally, patients should use DHEA only as part of a clinical trial so they can be monitored for side effects. Because DHEA is a reproductive hormone, using DHEA supplements could theoretically result in an increased risk of breast, ovarian and other reproductive hormone-sensitive cancers, according to MayoClinic.com.
References
- MedlinePlus: DHEA
- "Human Reproduction"; Addition of DHEA for Poor-responder Patients Before and During IVF Treatment Improves the Pregnancy Rate: a Randomized Prospective Study; A. Wiser, et al.; October 2010
- "Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology"; Miscarriage Rates After DHEA Supplementation in Women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve: a Case Control Study"; N. Gleicher, et al.; October 2009
- MayoClinic.com: DHEA
- ClinicalTrials.gov: DHEA
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