DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) for Fertility – Benefits & Side Effects

It can be disheartening for couples who are trying to have a baby for long but without any success. If you and your partner are trying for a couple of years now to have a child and are unable to conceive then you might be having fertility issues. Fertility problems are common in both men and women but the good thing is that most of the fertility issues can be taken care of. Many people today are considering DHEA to improve fertility. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is, in fact, believed to be one of the newest cures to fertility. Read on to learn all about DHEA and fertility.

What Is DHEA?

Dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA is one of the most favoured options in this field right now. Many women exploring natural options consider DHEA supplements for fertility, as they help support hormonal balance and ovarian function. DHEA is actually a hormone which is secreted in the body naturally (1). It is produced by the ovaries and the adrenal glands, and it plays an important part in the production of estrogen in the female body (2). The DHEA levels of the body tend to decrease gradually with age, especially after the age of 30. This could lead to a host of issues in the female body, like loss of libido and the quality of the egg deteriorating. All of this could combine to cause infertility in the person and stop a woman from getting pregnant.

How Do DHEA Supplements Help Improve Fertility?

Many people have now been turning to try their hand at getting pregnant with the help of DHEA supplements, partly owing to a lack of direction. DHEA changes the hormonal balance of the body. Therefore, it is important that people understand how DHEA functions before blindly starting on a dosage of the supplement. This way, male fertility and female fertility can be possibly defeated.

1. In Men

DHEA helps the body produce both male and female hormones when it is produced. It helps in the balance of testosterone and estrogen in the body, and the level of it drops in males as they move past the age of 30. This has led to the belief, or misconception that DHEA is the anti-ageing hormone – many believe that taking DHEA can restore the effects of the youth.

When it comes to DHEA and male fertility, DHEA can also reduce the production of sperm in the male body. Taking DHEA without supervision can have the same effect as taking anabolic steroids, with the person then being affected by it for around 6 months in the least. Sperm quality and sperm count may decrease, and testicular shrinkage may also happen. Therefore, men who take DHEA supplements can affect the chances of making their partner pregnant adversely.

2. In Women

In the case of women, it is completely different – after taking DHEA, natural conception chances increase in women. The quality of eggs that the female body produces increases, making the chances of conception higher than before. The higher the quality of eggs in the female body, the higher the chance of these eggs being implanted in the uterine lining, in order to reduce the chance of miscarriage. It was found that women who were taking DHEA were at least three times more likely to conceive, compared to those who had not, during their IVF treatments. However, all women do not require DHEA and it should not be taken unsupervised.

Who Can Benefit From DHEA Supplements?

If you are trying to get pregnant for long, you will want to know who should take DHEA for fertility and when. The following women can benefit from taking women who are confirmed to have diminished egg quality and ovarian reserve due to these reasons (3):

• Premature ovarian failure
• Age-related infertility
• Premature ovarian ageing
• Poor response to IVF

Benefits of DHEA

There are many benefits of taking DHEA supplements if the woman has been confirmed with a condition that results in a lack of good-quality eggs. Some of these benefits include:

• The quantity and quality of the eggs and embryos in the body improve.
• The chances of getting pregnant in IVF treatment increases.
• The chances of embryo chromosome abnormality decrease.
• The chances of miscarriage reduce.
• The chances of natural conception increase.
• The rate of pregnancy among women who have been in treatment for infertility also improve.

Side Effects of DHEA

The following are the possible side effects of DHEA:

• Hairfall
• Oily skin
• Acne or spots on the skin
• Sleeplessness and irritability
• The growth of body and facial hair

Some of the positive side effects are:

• Increased libido
• Mental sharpness
• Improvement in overall well-being
• Becoming stronger physically.

Recommended DHEA Dosage for Fertility

The recommended dosage of DHEA for fertility is 25mg thrice a day, totalling to 75mg per day for about 4 months. When considering DHEA fertility dosage, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider

How to Consume DHEA

You cannot get DHEA from natural sources or foods and vegetables, so you will have to consider supplements. It is available in capsule form for ease of use (4).

FAQs

1. Should DHEA be cycled or taken continuously during fertility treatment?

Unlike some supplements, DHEA for female fertility is typically taken daily for 2–4 months before IVF or IUI. However, protocols vary—some clinicians recommend cycling (e.g., 3 weeks on, 1 week off) to mimic natural hormone fluctuations.

2. Does timing DHEA intake (morning vs. Night) impact fertility outcomes?

DHEA naturally peaks in the morning. If taken at night, could it disrupt circadian rhythms or cortisol levels, indirectly affecting fertility? No studies confirm this, but anecdotal reports suggest split dosing (AM/PM) for stability.

DHEA can help you in getting pregnant. But it is always wise to consult a doctor before consuming DHEA supplements.

Disclaimer:- The information given in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We urge readers to seek the advice of a physician if considering DHEA to improve your fertility levels.

References/Resources:

1. Mayo Clinic – DHEA

2. BMC – Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology

3. National Library of Medicine – Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation in diminished ovarian reserve (DOR)

4. Mount Sinai – Dehydroepiandrosterone

Also Read: 

Best Herbs to Boost Fertility
Super Effective Ways to be More Fertile
Ways to Boost Fertility After a Miscarriage
Foods To Increase Fertility For Conceiving Twins
Fertility Supplements That May Help You Conceive
Natural Ways to Increase Fertility in Men and Women

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