Any women taking testosterone?

[Karen82]

My clinic has suggested that I take testosterone to help increase the quality of my eggs - I have low AMH and only had 1 egg good enough for icsi in the first go of IVF. I'm worried about potential side-effects and can't find much online about testosterone helping with fertility or egg quality. Do any of you know anything about it?

[Karen82]

Sorry - I forgot the actual name of what they said I should take. It's DHEA which helps my body produce testosterone.

[Filmgirl101]

I took dhea as I wasnt responding to the drugs despite all tests being normal. On 600 (yes 600) units of gonal f the most follicles I ever got was 2. On 75mg of DHEA and baby asprin I had 7 follicles! The side effects of the Dhea were not fun, but the result was good.

[Karen82 in reply to Filmgirl101]

That's so useful - thank you. What kind of side effects did you have ? (Only if you don't mind saying). They've said I should be on it for at least 3 months.

[Filmgirl101 in reply to Karen82]

I was so moody! I even put on weight which I never did before. Headaches and crazy thirsty. I had to take it for 8 weeks total. Oh, and my hair thinned a bit... You can pm me if you want.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Karen82. Regarding treatment with Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) it is still in its early days. Women with reduced ovarian reserve have been given 75 mgs of this drug a day, in divided doses of 25 mgs 3 times a day for around 2 months, been found to respond better to stimulation during IVF. Some consultants will offer treatment with DHEA at different doses. You need to discuss with your consultant the possible side effects, which are similar to steroid use. A 41 yr. old lady I spoke with, has had treatment with DHEA after several failed attempts at IVF/ICSI has just had 8 eggs retrieved after apparently only ever managing 2-3 per cycle. She used it for 2 months. Hope this helps a little, and of course fingers crossed for the outcome. Diane

[Karen82 in reply to DianeArnold]

That's so useful - thank you Diane. My consultant suggested I take 50mg for at least 3 months while I lose a bit more weight so we can try again on the NHS rather than paying privately. She said my eggs might be better quality so it seems worth a shot, but obviously I want to look after my body too and not take anything that could be harmful in any way I think I'll give her a call to discuss. Thank you!

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to Karen82]

Good luck! Diane