DHEA side effects 😒

[Ranchu90]

I started to take DHEA for almost a month now to increase my egg quality, on doctors advice. Last week I noticed some side effects like facial hair growth and greasy hair. Now I don’t know what to do, shall I go ahead or shall I stop? I don’t want to end up with a moustache like a man🥴. I will start stimulation on 18th of July so this will be at least 18 more days of taking them.

Any thoughts? Anyone in similar situation?

Lots of baby dust to all of you ❤️🤗

[Peony85]

Hi Ranchu, from what I’ve read these are pretty normal side effects of DHEA because of how it works and increasing testosterone. There is a good chapter on it in It Starts with the Egg.

Did you have your DHEA levels tested before you started? Maybe worth getting them tested now to see where your levels are now and whether it might make sense to reduce dose rather than stopping completely.

When I asked my consultant about it a few weeks ago he didn’t think it would have any benefit for me as it is really geared for diminished ovarian reserve, and I have PCO so he thought it would do more harm than good.

[Ranchu90 in reply to Peony85]

They haven’t checked my DHEA before starting. We are struggling with male infertility so I am trying at least my eggs to be in “good condition or shape”, that was the only reason for me talking them. To be honest I didn’t expect to have such a quick increase in testosterone that will be visible just in few weeks 🤯😤

Thank you for your reply xx

[Cinderella5]

These can be side effects unfortunately. I only got greasier hair and skin, few extra spots etc. If you can hold out then you dont have long to go, or you could perhaps try dropping your dose down a bit to see if that helps.xx

[Ranchu90 in reply to Cinderella5]

I was thinking now after receiving your replies that reducing probably to a tablet per day will be much better but I am afraid that I will still leave with a lovely black moustache ... I really hope that is reversible 😞

[Cinderella5 in reply to Ranchu90]

Oh no, I hope not. You could always try bleaching with Jolene for now.xx

[Orla9298]

I had increased hair from dhea and greasy hair and skin(not terrible but I noticed it) but it all stopped when I stopped the dhea.

If you’re taking 3 x 25 per day maybe drop to 2 as it sounds like you’ve had a big boost? I’d stay on it if it’s been recommended by a doc, it definitely helped me, as I started conceiving naturally after I was on it a while.

[Ranchu90 in reply to Orla9298]

Thank you for your reply. I definitely not expected to have side effects so soon. Greasy hair I don’t mind somehow but facial hair is kind of weird. I am still considering to take maybe one per day 🤔

[Orla9298 in reply to Ranchu90]

Are you in the U.K.?

[Ranchu90 in reply to Orla9298]

Yes I am

[Orla9298 in reply to Ranchu90]

You can very quickly test your dhea levels with finger prick test and get the results in a couple of days. I’d only drop to 2 and order an online test straight away tomorrow morning or even tonight, if you get the test kit Friday and post it Saturday you might get the result by Monday afternoon or Tuesday! Then you can at least make an informed decision or speak to your consultant. I’ll message you the website. That’s just what I’d do, obviously it’s only my suggestion as I have no medical knowledge!

[Tulips1978]

Hi Ranchu90. I have been taking DHEA for a month now and I also have greasy hair and more hair on my face. I don’t mind about the greasy hair as my hair is quite dry normally. With the facial hair I have been using a little machine I got from Wilko called Flawless. It’s fantastic and gets rid of the hair. So far so good. Fingers crossed the DHEA works 🤞