Can DHEA Really Enhance Your Fertility Treatments?
A common cause of infertility in women is having a diminished ovarian reserve. A diminished ovarian reserve means that a woman is less likely to produce a high quality egg that is suited for pregnancy. These women have a more difficult time becoming pregnant and are more likely to suffer a miscarriage due to the low quality of their eggs. Using DHEA as a part of fertility care has been clinically proven to increase the chance of pregnancy and live birth.
DHEA Defined
DHEA, short for dehydroepianrosterone, is naturally made in a woman’s ovaries and is directly responsible for producing and developing healthy eggs. Women with diminished ovarian reserve typically have abnormally low DHEA levels. Supplementing DHEA during fertility care is a way to address the hormone deficiency and improve egg quality.
DHEA Benefits
Research has shown that DHEA treatment positively effects fertility in a number of ways:
- Increased chance of becoming pregnant during IVF treatment
- Enhanced quality of eggs and the resulting embryos
- Reduction in the likelihood of miscarriage due to poor quality
- Reduction in the number of embryos shown to have chromosomal abnormalities
DHEA in Fertility Treatment
DHEA has repeatedly been shown to improve outcomes when used with women with hormonal issues or diminished ovarian reserves. However, it is important to understand the true nature of a woman’s fertility issues before moving forward with any hormonal treatment, including the use of DHEA. Treatment must begin with testing to understand the specifics of a woman’s fertility concerns and to create a fertility care plan that directly addresses those needs.
Depending on each woman’s medical needs, DHEA may be prescribed as a supplement for as many as six weeks prior to the start of an IVF cycle. This is to ensure that the increased level of hormones has the opportunity to effect the ovaries. Treatment is continued until conception as a woman’s body will begin producing DHEA on its own after pregnancy occurs.
For additional information on the use of DHEA during fertility care or to schedule a consultation with a fertility expert, contact New Hope Fertility Center today. Please click the link below to enter your information and New Hope will contact you, or simply call 212-517-7676.
