There is no universally recommended DHEA dose for fertility. In older IVF studies involving diminished ovarian reserve or poor ovarian response, the most common regimen was 25 mg three times daily, or 75 mg per day, for about 6 to 12 weeks or roughly 3 months before ovarian stimulation. That research dose is not a recommendation to self-treat.
Current evidence does not show a reliable improvement in live birth rates. The 2025 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology guideline does not recommend DHEA before or during ovarian stimulation for low responders. A 2024 Cochrane review also found that DHEA probably makes little or no difference to live birth or clinical pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF who are poor responders.
DHEA Fertility Dosing at a Glance
| Situation | DHEA dose or recommendation |
|---|---|
| Trying to conceive naturally | No established effective dose |
| Diminished ovarian reserve before IVF | 25 mg three times daily, or 75 mg per day, was common in older studies |
| Normal ovarian reserve | DHEA is not routinely recommended |
| PCOS, acne, excess facial hair or high testosterone | Do not self-start DHEA |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | Avoid DHEA unless specifically directed by a specialist |
Why Do Some Fertility Clinics Use 75 mg of DHEA?
The 75 mg dose comes from older IVF studies that looked at DHEA use in people with diminished ovarian reserve or poor ovarian response.
DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is an androgen precursor. The body can convert it into testosterone and estrogen. Researchers have studied whether increasing androgen activity before IVF could support follicle development.
Earlier studies commonly used either:
- 25 mg three times daily, or
- 75 mg once daily
The treatment usually began several weeks before IVF. The studies produced mixed results, and some had small sample sizes or other limitations. In a larger randomized trial involving 821 women with poor ovarian response, DHEA did not improve live birth, the number of eggs retrieved or clinical pregnancy compared with placebo. The strengths used in those studies are the same ones sold over the counter, and one DHEA capsule product on Amazon states its amount per capsule on the page.
Does DHEA Improve Fertility?
DHEA has not been shown to improve fertility in a consistent way.
The strongest recent evidence includes:
- A 2024 Cochrane review found that DHEA probably makes little or no difference to live birth or ongoing pregnancy rates.
- The review also found little or no difference in clinical pregnancy rates.
- ESHRE's 2025 ovarian stimulation guideline recommends against DHEA before or during stimulation for low responders.
- DHEA has not been established as a treatment for unexplained infertility or as a way to improve natural conception.
A reproductive endocrinologist may still discuss DHEA after reviewing an individual's previous IVF response. That is an off-label decision, not a standard fertility treatment.
What Are the Risks of Taking DHEA?
DHEA can raise androgen levels. Reported effects in women include:
- Acne or oily skin
- Increased facial or body hair
- Scalp hair loss
- Irregular periods or spotting
- Mood changes or irritability
- Breast tenderness
DHEA may interact with estrogen, testosterone, some fertility medicines, anticoagulants and certain psychiatric medicines.
Avoid DHEA during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless a specialist specifically recommends it. People with hormone-sensitive cancer, liver disease, cardiovascular disease or mood disorders should discuss DHEA with a clinician before using it.
Should You Check Hormone Levels Before Taking DHEA?
A low AMH or low ovarian reserve does not automatically mean that DHEA is appropriate. Before recommending it, a fertility specialist may review:
- DHEA-S
- Testosterone
- AMH and antral follicle count
- FSH and estradiol
- Previous IVF response
- PCOS or androgen-related symptoms
DHEA-S testing measures a hormone produced mainly by the adrenal glands. High androgen levels can be linked with acne, excess hair growth, menstrual irregularity and infertility. Adding DHEA without reviewing these factors may therefore be counterproductive.
Practical Recommendation
If your fertility doctor has recommended DHEA, ask:
- Why are you recommending it in my case?
- Should I take 25 mg three times daily or a different amount?
- How long should I take it before IVF or egg retrieval?
- Should my DHEA-S or testosterone levels be monitored?
- When should I stop it, especially after a positive pregnancy test?
The commonly studied fertility dose is 75 mg per day, usually divided into 25 mg three times daily. That dose came from older studies, and current evidence does not support routine DHEA use for fertility. Do not start DHEA without guidance from a reproductive endocrinologist. If a specialist has asked you to source it yourself, DHEA supplement product details such as capsule strength and ingredient list are set out on the Amazon page, and you can check them against the dose you were given. Seek medical advice if you develop acne, unwanted hair growth, mood changes or menstrual disruption.