Dehydroepiandrosterone Treatment for Poor Ovarian Response
A new study in the Journal of Reproductive Genetics on dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, shows that this drug treatment may help women with poor ovarian response while they are undergoing IVF or ICSI. If you are considering IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) for infertility treatments, or ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) you may want to talk to your doctor or fertility health care provider (OBGYN, RE, nutritionist, TCM doctor / acupuncturist, PA or naturopath) about what DHEA is and what it does, and if it will benefit your specific case.
In the study, pre-treatment on DHEA, meaning taking it BEFORE you upcoming fertility treatment, increases the clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, and antral follicle count, while reducing miscarriages. Numbers of eggs and AMH (anti-mullerian hormone levels) also went up. While this supplement may not help the endometrial lining, or other hormones, it may cause certain side effects such as facial hair, and other changes. Always talk to your fertility health care provider before taking supplements, especially if you are taking medication, or are planning on taking medication or having a surgery in the near future.
If you have any questions about preconception care, improving egg quality, trying to conceive, in vitro fertilization, or third party reproduction, fee free to call our office anytime – we are always happy to help answer your questions!