40w LaterGuide

One of the more challenging fertility problems is a decline in ovarian reserve or reproductive potential with age.

As women get older, the number of remaining follicles decreases, and age-related changes in egg quality also become more common. As a result, the chance of pregnancy generally decreases while the risk of miscarriage increases.

Unfortunately, there is currently no proven treatment that can restore diminished ovarian reserve or make the ovaries “younger.”

However, various add-on treatments have been studied in an effort to improve ovarian response or IVF outcomes in women who respond poorly to ovarian stimulation. Two treatments you may hear about are growth hormone (GH) and DHEA.

1) Growth hormone (GH)

Growth hormone is best known for its role in growth and metabolism. It has also been studied as an additional treatment during ovarian stimulation for IVF, particularly in women expected to have a low ovarian response.

Some studies have suggested that growth hormone may slightly increase the number of eggs retrieved or clinical pregnancy rates in poor responders.

However, the evidence that it improves the live-birth rate remains uncertain, and current international guidelines do not recommend its routine use for women with a low ovarian response.

Growth hormone does not restore ovarian reserve or reverse age-related changes in egg quality.

If it is considered as part of IVF treatment, the dose, timing, potential benefits, and risks should be discussed individually with a fertility specialist.

2) DHEA

DHEA stands for dehydroepiandrosterone. It is an androgen hormone produced naturally in the body and serves as a precursor for other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen.

Because androgen activity may influence early follicle development, DHEA has been studied as a supplement for women with diminished ovarian reserve or a poor response to ovarian stimulation.

Earlier small studies suggested possible benefits, but more recent evidence indicates that DHEA probably makes little or no difference to live-birth or ongoing pregnancy rates in women who are poor responders to IVF.

For this reason, DHEA should not be considered a proven treatment for improving ovarian reserve or egg quality.

DHEA can also cause androgen-related side effects, such as acne, oily skin, or increased body hair, and it may not be appropriate for everyone.

Should I take growth hormone or DHEA?

Neither growth hormone nor DHEA is a treatment that can reverse ovarian aging.

They may occasionally be discussed as add-on treatments in selected fertility patients, but the benefits remain uncertain and their routine use is not recommended.

If ovarian reserve is reduced, it is generally more important to discuss the overall fertility strategy—including age, ovarian reserve, previous ovarian response, and treatment timing—with a fertility specialist rather than delaying treatment in hopes that supplements will restore ovarian function.