DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
An androgen precursor hormone, proposed to raise androgen levels inside the ovary and improve the ovarian response in women with diminished ovarian reserve during IVF.
Also known as dehydroepiandrosterone, prasterone.
At a glance
Updated monthly · checked 10 h agoDHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone precursor marketed as a fertility supplement. It is not a fertility drug. Its computed evidence score is ~67/100. A genuine clinical tool in specific IVF cases under a fertility doctor, but not a self-prescribed supplement; the evidence is weak and it carries real hormonal risks.
- Randomized trials
- 128
- Systematic reviews
- 159Computed
- Real product labels indexed
- 20 in the NIH DSLD
Marketed to women with low ovarian reserve or "poor response" to improve egg quantity and quality.
A genuine clinical tool in specific IVF cases under a fertility doctor, but not a self-prescribed supplement; the evidence is weak and it carries real hormonal risks.
What the evidence says
Computed from the volume and type of primary studies, not the strength of the marketing. Each figure below links to its live search.
Some small trials in diminished ovarian reserve suggest a possible improvement in IVF response, but the evidence is low quality, inconsistent, and largely from specialist settings. It is a hormone, not a benign vitamin.
- Ovarian ferroptosis induced by androgen is involved in pathogenesis of PCOS2024 · 67 citations
- Berberine alleviates inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome by inhibiting hyaluronan synthase 2 expression2024 · 26 citations
- Curcumin mitigates polycystic ovary syndrome in mice by suppressing TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway activation and reducing intestinal mucosal permeability2024 · 24 citations
- Formononetin ameliorates polycystic ovary syndrome through suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome2025 · 23 citations
- The therapeutic effects of curcumin on polycystic ovary syndrome by upregulating PPAR-γ expression and reducing oxidative stress in a rat model2024 · 21 citations
Source: europepmc+pubmed+openalex · as of Sep 25, 2026
Real product labels
Actual marketed supplement products indexed by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. A product being on a shelf is not evidence it works.
- DHEA 50 mgAmerifitTablet or Pill
- DHEASANCapsule
- DHEASANCapsule
- DHEAOff marketi-HealthTablet or Pill
- DHEA 10 mgVital NutrientsCapsule
- Opti-DHEAVitaMonkCapsule
- DHEA 10 mgOff marketVital NutrientsCapsule
- DHEA (Micronized) 25 mgOff marketVital NutrientsCapsule
- Micronized DHEA 25 mgAN Amazing Nutrition Amazing FormulasCapsule
- DHEA 50 mgOff marketBronson LaboratoriesCapsule
- DHEA 50 mgBronson LaboratoriesCapsule
- DHEA 10 mgOff marketPure EncapsulationsCapsule
- Micronized DHEA 5 mgDaVinci Laboratories Of VermontCapsule
- DHEA (Micronized) 25 mgOff marketVital NutrientsCapsule
- Micronized DHEA 25 mgOff marketDaVinci Laboratories Of VermontCapsule
- DHEAOff marketIntensive NutritionLiquid
- Micronized DHEA 10 mgOff marketDaVinci Laboratories Of VermontCapsule
- DHEA 25 mgOff marketPure EncapsulationsCapsule
- DHEA 5 mgOff marketPure EncapsulationsCapsule
- DHEA 5 mgOff marketPure EncapsulationsCapsule
Source: NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) · as of Sep 30, 2026
What to watch for
A hormone with androgenic side effects (acne, unwanted hair growth, voice changes). It should only be used under medical supervision, is not appropriate for general or unsupervised use, and is not for people with hormone-sensitive conditions.
What it actually is
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a single, characterized compound. Its structure, molecular formula, weight, and synonyms are on its PubChem compound record.
Source: PubChem (PUG-REST)