Most of the current national and international studies have concluded that DHEA is beneficial for patients with hypovarianism. Do you know about DHEA? For some women who need to undergo IVF, doctors sometimes recommend oral DHEA to improve ovarian function. So, what is DHEA? Why can it improve ovarian function? What is DHEA? DHEA is a weak androgen, known as dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroisandrosterone, and commonly known by the trade name “puberty”. The adrenal glands are the main natural source of DHEA, which is downstream of a range of sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen, and is therefore known as a multi-directional “hormone buffer”. In the female ovary, androgens enhance the expression of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) receptors in the ovary, increase the sensitivity of ovarian granulosa cells to gonadotropins, increase egg production, and improve embryo quality, thereby increasing follicle recruitment and pregnancy rates in women. Increasing clinical data show that DHEA is clinically effective in promoting follicle growth, increasing the pregnancy rate of implanted embryos, and reducing embryo aneuploidy (chromosomal abnormalities), especially in helping infertile patients undergoing IVF to obtain more and better eggs, and effectively reducing the incidence of miscarriage. The miscarriage rate with DHEA is 50% to 80% lower than the national IVF miscarriage rate. Some studies have shown that DHEA may provide the following benefits: 1) significantly increase the number of basal sinus follicles; 2) improve the number and quality of oocytes and embryos, increase the pregnancy rate, reduce the rate of embryonic chromosomal aneuploidy, and thus reduce the rate of miscarriage; 3) significantly improve the quality of embryos and live birth rate. In women with normal ovarian reserve but with infertility at an older reproductive age (36-40 years), DHEA supplementation can significantly improve IVF treatment cycle outcomes, based on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial study published in 2015, which showed that oral DHEA, taken 8 weeks prior to the start of an IVF treatment cycle and during treatment, resulted in higher live birth rates and lower miscarriage rates . Improving ovarian responsiveness and IVF treatment outcomes in patients with hypovarianism is one of the current challenges. Although the exact mechanism of action of DHEA on ovarian function is not well understood and its role in the field of reproduction is still controversial, most studies in China and abroad have concluded that DHEA has some benefit for patients with hypovarianism. Recommended dosage Currently, the oral dose of DHEA recommended by most scholars at home and abroad is 50-75 mg/day, taken 1 to 3 months before the start of IVF treatment. It has been shown that DHEA 50mg/day orally for 3 months can reduce serum follicle stimulating hormone FSH levels, increase anti-Müllerian hormone AMH levels, increase the number of sinusoidal follicles and improve ovarian reserve function. However, there is no standard for the dose and duration of administration. DHEA is taken as a daily dose, one capsule a day (25mg) as a daily maintenance for women and a normal 25mg dosage will not cause any side effects. Three capsules of 75mg a day for reproductive health care is also within the international standard intake. Please consult your health care provider before taking DHEA. Recommendations for patients with hypovarianism 1. There is no effective treatment for patients with hypovarianism. Based on most of the available research data, and the fact that no significant adverse effects have been shown after taking DHEA, it can be tried to improve pregnancy outcomes. 2. Patients with polycystic ovaries and uterine fibroids should take DHEA under medical supervision.