Dhea

[buggerboo]

Hi All!

Just wondering what anyone may know about DHEA and its benefits of increasing egg qty and quality. I am currently in my 2ww trying for #2. I have been thru several IVF's and had a much better turn-out in regards of qty and quality. This time only 10 eggs were retrieved and 4 fertilized. Of those 4, 3 were good and one was poor. I don't have high hopes of this working and am wondering if my over 40 status is effecting the outcome. Hence the reason I am inquiring about DHEA. Has anyone used it and has it worked for them?

[lw962]

hi,

1 of my docs recommended resveratrol for preserving egg quality.
a doc told me to stay away from dhea. not sure why.

[jbeacham]

Check out the sub-forum under "high FSH". There's a thread discussing all the benefits of DHEA there. It all sounds very very encouraging.

[vidaprodiga]

I am currently on 75 mg of DHEA, and have not noticed any differnce thus far. I have onlybeen on it for a while now and not throught an entire cycle! I will keep you posted!

[IMklc]

I recently went to a new RE after a second unsuccessful IVF. I am approaching 42 1/2 and have one more paid IVF cycle - either DE or with my own eggs. The doctor suggested DHEA for four months and then trying one more stimulated cycle. I just started the DHEA a few days ago. So far nothing, but if any heavy signs (breakouts, dark hair or other) appear, I may abandon this approach. I will keep checking in with updates, but it doesn't seem like much monitoring except for side effects will be done during the four months, so not sure I will know much until next cycle in the fall.

Any news of success from others would be appreciated.

[jbeacham]

I just stopped taking the DHEA. I was having acne like a 16 year-old boy! I had almost decided to quit on my own, but then i had to go back to my RE to discuss an upcoming FET and he suggested stopping it. He says he's not very impressed with the research on it--one study in particular had no control group and he and many others were shocked that it made it into publication. The other research from the group out of NY showed an average of 1 extra egg retrieved per person--he wasn't all that impressed with that. I disagree with him on that end--for us high FSH'ers, every egg counts, but anyway...my symptoms were bad enough to make me want to quit since i wasn't going through a fresh cycle. My thinking had been that since we continue to try on our own each month that maybe it would help with quality issues, but i just can't take it. I'm wondering if my levels were actually pretty good anyway and the acne was a sign that i was pushing it way over normal. I started wondering if it really only helps people who's levels are already low. who knows...if i hadn't been having symptoms, i probably would have continued it despite what my RE said, but i can't.

[CJ29]

I have been taking DHEA for one month and not sure if it is helping plus my hair is falling out!!! I depressed enough I cant take much more . I have not had a period since june after one of the many RE I have seen put me on BCP for a month to lower my FSH. I am so confused on what to do at this point I have an appt with Dr Spandorfer but not sure if he will waste my time and tell me DE which I have heard before. I am 40 and have POF with high fsh has been 35 + and low amh .01

[raquielle]

I've read good things about DHEA but didn't like it's effects on me. Bad skin and increased facial hair!

[petal71]

Hi girls. I know this thread is old but I just wanted to update on what's happened with me on DHEA over 4 months.

My stats = age 38, low AMH (0.6 ng/ml), endometriosis, TTC 18 months with one chem pg. No male factor. Started DHEA 50 mg twice a day, 4 months ago.
AFC - 4m ago = 6-7, 2m ago (1st IVF cycle) 8. First IVF , 4 follies, only 2 mature eggs retrieved, 3dt, BFN.

This IVF cycle (early days yet) AFC 18-19! I can't believe it - there are actually 8 follies in range for EPU next week. Of course we don't know yet how many mature eggs, but even if it's only 4 (going on a 50% rate as it was last time) then that is pretty **** good in my book. I agree with the PP that when you are a poor responder, to go from 2 eggs to 4 is a huge deal!

Both my IVFs have been with 300 IUI FSH, the first one a flare and this one an antagonist.

I know AFC can vary by a few eggs, but by 10?? I cant see that the protocol change would make that much difference - both are short protocols, same FSH dose. I do take CoQ10, royal jelly etc but have been doing so for at least 6 months. Also have acupuncture (for over a year) but no change in frequency etc. To me it really seems like the DHEA has kicked in after 4m.

My FS says they have seen this sort of result in other patients on DHEA. I know there are no big controlled trials like we would prefer, but realistically, what patients with a low egg reserve are going to potentially waste 6m on placebo? However there are a lot of good case reports.

It doesnt work for everyone, and I definitely wouldnt take it without Dr supervision, but it seems worth a shot if you are a poor responder. (my side-effects have just been greasier skin and a few more pimples but nothing drastic).