DHEA and Fertility After 40

Dehydroepiandrosterone or Androstenolone (DHEA) is a male hormone which helps women who have low ovarian

reserve achieve pregnancy. It reverses the effects of ageing on ovaries. It achieves this by increasing the oocyte yield and  improving the quality of the embryo.

Throughout  life this hormone is circulated in the female body but as one ages the concentration drops.. hence the need for supplementation.

DHEA  gives older women a better result following an Anti-Mullerian Hormone  (AMH) test which is a test to know a woman's ovarian reserve. So DHEA increases the concentration of AMH.

DHEA helps reduce apoptosis

It improves egg quality and reduces miscarriage rates

It improves ovarian function by reversing the effects of aging on the ovaries, Increasing the androgen levels 

It helps prevent aneuploidy which is common in older women who are trying to get pregnant or have already conceived but have issues relating to chromosomal abnormalities. Biochemical pregnancy often occurs in older women due to chromosomal abnormalities. This will lead to a sudden loss in pregnancy symptoms where the pregnancy ends at a very early stage.  Despite the abnormalities, some pregnancies can continue but at birth the baby will be born with congenital birth defects.

A human cell should normally have 46 chromosomes but in aneuploidy the cell will be seen to have more or less than 46 chromosomes.

So DHEA helps to reduce aneuploidy which in turn reduces miscarriage.

A study showed that women who took 25mg of DHEA three times daily for at least 2 or 3 months before going for IVF had higher successful outcome than women who did not. 

For women who are obese, 100mg is required daily.

Studies have shown that the effect of DHEA supplementation  reaches its peak by the 5th month.

**A certified medical doctor should be consulted to recommend the right supplement for you**

Should you continue to take DHEA once you have achieved pregnancy?

It is clear that women who are on DHEA supplements  might conceive while taking it. Once pregnancy  is confirmed, DHEA should be stopped.

Side Effects of DHEA

DHEA is a well tolerated supplement with little or not side effects. The side effects noticed are facial hair growth or hair loss, acne and even deepening of the voice