Evidence supporting the use of: Human growth hormone
For the health condition: Infertility

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Human growth hormone (hGH) has been investigated as an adjunct treatment for certain types of infertility, particularly in women with poor ovarian response during assisted reproductive techniques like in vitro fertilization (IVF). The rationale stems from hGH's role in follicular development, ovarian function, and possibly improving oocyte quality via insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling pathways. Several small randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have explored hGH supplementation in women classified as "poor responders" according to the Bologna or Poseidon criteria.

While some studies show an increase in the number of retrieved oocytes and improved embryo quality, the impact on live birth rates remains unclear or only marginally improved. The largest systematic reviews and meta-analyses (e.g., Cochrane 2020) conclude that the quality of evidence is low to moderate, with possible benefit in a subset of women but without robust, consistent findings. The use of hGH in male infertility is much less established, with only anecdotal or rare case reports suggesting benefit in specific pituitary deficiencies.

Overall, hGH is not a first-line therapy for infertility but may be considered in highly selected cases of poor ovarian response, under specialist supervision. Its use is supported by some scientific evidence but is not universally endorsed in clinical guidelines due to cost, uncertainty about efficacy, and potential side effects.

More about Human growth hormone
More about Infertility

Products containing Human growth hormone

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.