Fertility supplements and their impact on reproductive health in women with poor ovarian response (POR): a scoping review

Background: Occasionally, infertile women undergoing fertility treatment, particularly those affected by factors such as poor-quality oocytes and poor ovarian response (POR), turn to supplements to enhance their chances of conceiving. However, women with POR represent approximately 10% of this group, making them a minority and limiting their available treatment options. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the most commonly used fertility supplements for women with POR and evaluate their potential effects on reproductive health.. Methods: Relevant keywords were used to search three major online databases: PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Article selection followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, considering all articles published between 2012 and 2022 that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: A total of 11 articles were selected, demonstrating that fertility supplements have an effect on POR and reproductive health. The findings identified several fertility supplements as effective and suitable for women with poor ovarian response, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), vitamin D, myo-inositol, and the Ding-Kun Pill (DKP). These supplements have been linked to positive effects on reproductive health, such as increased insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels, healthy follicular growth, and improved oocyte quality and development, which may enhance fertility outcomes. Conclusion: This review is significant as it enhances our understanding of the effectiveness fertility supplements for women with impaired ovarian reserves. By offering suitable treatment options, it also fulfills the need for evidence-based knowledge about the reproductive impacts of these supplements.