BACKGROUND

The administration of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been proposed as a potential intervention for improving ovarian response among women who have diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). This study aimed to explore the associations between DHEA supplementation and the ovarian response markers in a single-arm cohort of women with DOR.

METHODS

Eighty women between 25 and 40 years old with low ovarian reserve participated in this study. They received DHEA at a daily dose of 75 mg for 12 weeks before intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures from February to August 2024. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured in blood serum while also examining follicle appearance (≥17 mm) and endometrial layer measurements, together with pregnancy success rates. A statistical evaluation consisted of t-tests, together with correlation coefficients and logistic regression tests.

RESULTS

Subjects who received DHEA treatment experienced both increased AMH levels (p < 0.01) and decreased FSH levels (p = 0.03). The percentage of mature follicles rose from 54.3% to 71.6% (p < 0.01). The clinical pregnancy success rate was 22 (27.5%), and there existed a significant positive relationship between enhanced follicle quality and pregnancy achievements (r = 0.41, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

DHEA supplementation was associated with improved hormonal markers, follicular development, and pregnancy rates in women with DOR undergoing IUI. The research shows that DHEA represents an effective complementary therapy for women with ovarian reserve reduction who want help with fertility. However, the lack of a control group limited the efficacy of the results.