Fertility issues are on the rise due to the lifestyle changes of both men and women. DHEA, or Dehydroepiandrosterone, is a natural hormone produced by both men and women that mainly helps improve fertility health. DHEA plays a crucial role in the reproductive health of women. The hormone may decline as you age. Women facing fertility issues can benefit from DHEA supplements. Does DHEA affect fertility? continue reading to know more:
DHEA is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps produce estrogen and testosterone. DHEA is at its maximum level in your early adulthood. The DHEA levels decrease as your age increases. This hormone is responsible for various body functions, including metabolism, sexual health and immune response.
Women with low DHEA may suffer from:
● Menstrual irregularities
● Moodswings
● Low Immunity
● Fatigue
● Weight Gain
● Joint pain and muscle loss
● Fertility Issues
● DHEA impacts women's reproductive health as it helps improve ovarian function by enhancing the growth of the follicles.
● It also helps in improving the quantity and quality of eggs.
● Women facing fertility challenges can very well use DHEA supplements to resolve their fertility issues.
● Women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome are benefited from the intake of DHEA supplements.
● High DHEA and fertility are closely associated, as research suggests that this hormone greatly helps improve the fertility of women. It is an effective fertility supplement recommended for women with previous IVF failure cycles.
● DHEA is highly beneficial for women with diminished ovarian reserve or premature ovarian ageing to help them get pregnant.
● DHEA helps women over 35 years of age who face trouble getting pregnant to increase the chance of conception.
● DHEA acts as an androgen receptor and helps improve anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels.
● DHEA helps improve the ovarian reserve of women with low AMH levels.
You must intake the right amount of DHEA based on your medical condition. Consult your doctor, who can help you prescribe the appropriate dosage of DHEA supplement based on your reproductive health.
● If you have low DHEA and fertility issues, to improve fertility, 25 mg DHEA thrice daily is usually prescribed.
● It is best to start taking DHEA supplements a few months before your fertility treatment. This will boost your DHEA levels and stimulate the ovaries for better results.
● DHEA supplements can affect your hormone levels, so consult your healthcare provider before starting this supplement.
DHEA supplements are said to improve the outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies.
● In the case of IVF, improving DHEA levels may help increase the number of eggs. It is possible to retrieve more eggs during an IVF cycle, thereby allowing one to choose the most mature egg. DHEA also improves the quality of the embryo, increasing the chance of successful implantation.
● DHEA avoids the use of ovarian stimulation drugs as it improves the ovarian response naturally, thereby preventing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
● Women with low ovarian reserve can opt for IVF as DHEA helps in improving the same.
So, it is highly recommended to start with a DHEA supplement when you are about to start with IVF treatment.
There are certain side effects of DHEA as it alters the androgen levels in your body. Some of the potential side effects are:
● Oily Skin
● Acne
● Mood swings
● Hair loss
● Deepening of voice
● Managing DHEA Levels Naturally
● Irregular menstruation
Track your side effects to help your doctor alter your dosage or discontinue the supplement.
Although DHEA is said to improve fertility, DHEA supplements are not suitable for all:
● Women with hormone-sensitive cancer like breast cancer or uterus cancer must avoid DHEA as it may increase estrogen levels.
● Women with conditions like hyperandrogenism must avoid the intake of DHEA as the androgen levels are at their peak due to the condition.
● Pregnant and nursing women must avoid DHEA as its effects on infants are still unknown.
Always talk with your doctor before you start taking your DHEA supplements.
It is possible to boost DHEA levels naturally when you face trouble getting pregnant due to fertility issues. The things that help you improve your DHEA levels are listed below:
● Eating A Healthy Diet: Make sure your food includes plant-based protein, DHEA precursors including soybean, almond and egg and healthy fats including olive oil, nuts, coconut products and omega-3 fish oil to improve your DHEA levels.
● Regular Exercise: Workout sessions of 20 minutes every day can help elevate your DHEA levels.
● Manage Stress: Stress plays a key role in altering hormonal balance, leading to low DHEA levels. So, look for ways to reduce your stress. Involve yourself in stress-relieving activities, meditation and breathing exercises.
With different types of fertility treatments, women with fertility issues can get pregnant. Using DHEA supplements makes it possible to boost the fertility of women by stimulating ovarian function. A fertility specialist can guide you in the intake of the right dosage of DHEA based on your fertility problem. Make sure to consult your healthcare provider before planning to take the DHEA supplements. DHEA helps achieve better outcomes for ART, thereby increasing its success rate. It is also possible to improve the DHEA levels naturally with healthy lifestyle changes. You must be aware of the side effects of DHEA supplements as well, so always consult your healthcare provider before taking DHEA supplements.
Your DHEA levels are closely associated with fertility. It helps in the proper ovarian function and improves the quality of eggs, thereby increasing the chance of getting pregnant.
If your DHEA levels are too high, you may suffer from abnormal periods, missed periods, hair growth, hair loss, fertility issues and acne. You are also at high risk of PCOS, adrenal tumours and CAH. In children with high DHEA levels, they may experience early puberty.
If you are trying to conceive, you may need 10-50 mg of DEHA daily for a better chance of conception.
Yes, DHEA can increase the AMH levels. Thus, women with low ovarian reserve are likely to get pregnant with the use of DHEA supplements.
