From Jonathan West, Peninsular Centre for Reproductive Medicine
We should not be surprised that the over-the-counter “food supplement” DHEA may improve the response of the ovaries during IVF treatment (27 October, p 12). It has androgenic (testosterone-like) effects, which are known to increase the sensitivity of receptors in the ovary to FSH – the hormone injected to stimulate egg production in IVF treatment.
A number of other compounds that may do the same, such as Letrazole or Danazol, are available on prescription in the UK (unlike DHEA), and are already used by many fertility clinics.
Sadly we will probably never know how DHEA compares. A trial that may establish its advantages or drawbacks seems unlikely in the UK, due to the ever-increasing difficulty of overcoming ethical and other hurdles, in particular the need to obtain indemnity insurance against possible adverse effects. This means that trials of inexpensive treatments with so little potential financial return rarely take place.
Exeter, UK
