DHEA while on IVF treatment?

[ama4]

Hi. I have a low ovarian reserve therefore have been told to take DHEA which i have now been taking for 4 months. My treatment will hopefully be starting in Aug. Should i continue taking the DHEA? xx

[Cinderella5]

I got told up until egg collection!xx

[ama4 in reply to Cinderella5]

thanks huni! cant be long until transfer for you now? Are u in Athens? xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to ama4]

No not long at all, transfer on 31st July......eeeeek. Fly out to Athens on Saturday!xx

[ama4 in reply to Cinderella5]

omg im so excited for you keep us posted and GOOD LUCK!! xxx

[Cinderella5 in reply to ama4]

Im getting really nervous....already thinking about test day! Will keep you all posted!!xx

[ama4 in reply to Cinderella5]

I would be the same. Hrd not to think about it when you want it so badly. I have a really good feeling about this <3 stay positive xx

[Becca21 in reply to Cinderella5]

Haven't been prescribed DHEA for myself, but as far as I remember talking to people who have had DHEA for IVF or read on forums it's usually until the egg collection. While preparing for FET Progesterone is a must, any other medication if any is totally patient and case-specific, cannot be generalised like progesterone.

[Ash2016]

Hi Ama, I have been taking it for months. I stopped when I started stimming on the advice of the clinic x

[ama4 in reply to Ash2016]

ok thanks hun, scared to stop. Not back at clinic until 13th aug. hate the waiting xx

[Ash2016 in reply to ama4]

I know, it’s the worst. Good luck x

[ama4 in reply to Ash2016]

thanks just read your post, 5 eggs fertilised - thats amazing. do you mind if i ask how low ur amh was ?xx

[Ash2016 in reply to ama4]

Sure. The most recent test from October last year and was 6.3. I had it tested initially in late 2016 and it was 10.03 then. So quite a big drop between first cycle and now but first cycle we got 6 eggs and only 2 fertilized. This cycle we’ve had 7 eggs and 5 fertilized. I didn’t take DHEA for the first cycle (although I did take it for my second and my embryos didn’t make it to transfer! So I don’t know what that means in terms of the dhea although I like to think it was the high dose of stims last time that was the issue. Do you know what your protocol will be?

[ama4 in reply to Ash2016]

My amh was retested last week but my last reslt was less than 1 doubt i will hear what it is now until 13th aug. i think im doing a long protocol but i dont what about my treatment plan yet, all i have told is that my doctor is a professor and he has been working on this :S How are you finding it all? This will be my 1st ever cycle xx

[Ash2016 in reply to ama4]

I’ve pm’d you as response was v long 😂

[Aefemera in reply to ama4]

Hi ama4, I just read you comments. Did you go to abroad to start IVF? I’m just wondering what’s best for me. My AMH is 1.1 and the doctor told me that the best thing to do was to go for donor eggs. I started taking DHEA by myself but was loosing so much hair that I decided to stop. I feel zero support from the NHS, even when I ask them for my results and now just don’t know what to do.

[ama4 in reply to Aefemera]

Hi hun. I am very lucky to be given a try on the NHS. Albeit its probably just for a psycological aspect before we move to donor but feeling grateful all the same as you just never know. The chance of success is very low so if my cycle fails we are moving straight to door via IVF Spain. As hard as it may be we have to do with what is going to give us the best posible chance at having a family. I turn 33 this year and to get to the stage we are at now has already taken 2 years. Waiting lists arent as long with clinics abroad. Im here if you ned any help or support hun. Feel free to message me xx

[Aefemera in reply to ama4]

Hi dear, at least you were given a chance and you might get lucky, be positive! I'm having a terrible experience with the NHS... the doctor that saw me was quite cold and when you most need emotional support, she seemed to not even care and just said that I wouldn't even have a chance at IVF with my won eggs. I've asked for my results endless times so that I can move forward and maybe ask for a second opinion, and I don't get anything back from them...

I've done my research and will most likely go for IVF Spain too, it's seems the most appropriate for me but I would love to be given the chance of trying with my eggs, just to be sure... I wish the NHS was a bit more careful with people that are already going through an emotional rollercoaster like we are.

I really hope everything goes well with you. Keep me posted please xxx

[Becca21 in reply to Aefemera]

I'm so sorry to hear that you're having to deal with lack of empathy in your treatment regime besides having to endure the sting of infertility. What can I say, some health practitioners get's so jaded they fail to imbibe that how important it is for the patient to feel the inspiration and not discouragement. It's not that DHEA works for all, neither all women with the egg-quality issue can escape donor conception but then a try is definitely worth it. However, it's not really a very pressing reason to seek reproductive tourism either, unless you have a bunch of other reasons too, especially financial constraints to go on with. I mean falling in the hands of some cold compassionless Dr is only a matter of bad luck and can happen anywhere. Why don't you consider switching clinic and like within a fair distance in your vicinity, I'm sure there'll be more than one option. Reproductive tourism is definitely lucrative and has done miraculously for many, but putting up with the schedules and managing the travels isn't really as easy as it seems. So, if you had to finally go for it make sure you have weighed every other available option thoroughly and is still convinced that nothing looks as promising as frying abroad for IVF. Wish you luck with no matter what you choose!

[Becca21]

As far as I know, DHEA is referred for improving egg quality. Well, the response isn't the same for all, as it is for most of the medications involved in IVF but some women do get a positive result. One of my work-mates from the last office did mention that she has had DHEA and Vitamin B complex supplements to help are with IVF and recommended I should talk to my Doc as well about it. I remember her mentioning she has had them on their second round for 5-6 weeks before the extraction, but didn't mention continuing it till FET. Which is why I presume that you're not supposed to take it after the extraction, provided it's been referred to you for the same improving egg quality purpose. I think if you look back in posts I remember reading a few success stories where women mentioned DHEA... probably they can help better. However, I'll still recommend you talk to the clinic or directly to your Doc about how long you're supposed to take it than relying on forum opinions. You see not every treatment regime is identical... even if it's for the same thing. Wish you love and lot's of luck for the road ahead!

[ama4 in reply to Becca21]

thank you so much becca! xxx

[Emmyeve]

I know this isn’t the answer to your question but was wondering if you’ve had your amh re tested since taking the DHEA? X

[ama4 in reply to Emmyeve]

i got my bloods done again last week to check hun but havent had to result yet xxx

[Irene-S]

Hi. DHEA can also have negative effect on your hair but if it does increase your AMH within a short period it might be worth it. I suppose you must follow your gyn's instructions who will soon recheck your AMH . In case the ovarian reserve does not increase the solution could be to get eggs donated. Good luck

[ama4 in reply to Irene-S]

absolutely - thanks irene xxx

[precioce]

Until egg collection too for me.xx