DHEA recommendation

[Jam-master]

So I’ve recently had a failed cycle, 3 failed FET’s and 2 failed fresh rounds for a sibling. This was my last round trying, emotionally and mentally I don’t think I can cope with another. At my review the consultant was so lovely and understanding and ‘unofficially’ suggested trying DHEA 3 times a day for 100ish days. She said friends of hers spontaneously got pregnant after being on it.

Anyone else had any experience of this? My hormone levels and ovarian reserve are all good for my age , 37, and she did explain the side effects but just wondering if there are any success stories out there? I’ll obviously try anything at this point! Thanks for reading xx

[hifer]

Hey hun, I’m so sorry. I’ve had a failed cycle this week too. After a success it just feels as if it should work again some how but clearly IVF doesn’t work that way. We’re at a crossroads too as to whether to do one more transfer or not or call it a day as, as you say, it takes its toll.

I’m sorry I can’t offer advice about DHEA. Hopefully someone on here can. All I know is that I don’t think it’s advised to take it for a long period of time but I’m sure you know that.

Thinking of you and hope you get the answers you need.

Xx

[DreamingOfTwo79]

Hello Jam-master, I am very sorry your treatment was not successful yet. I was recommended DHEA and had been taking it it since July (3x25mg daily) prior to my egg collections early Oct and early Nov. I will never know if it was the DHEA alone or in combination with all the other supplements and stims medication, however after I was given a very poor prognosis with my own eggs at 43 with a low AMH I managed to get five good quality blastocysts after two rounds of embryo banking which is a huge success in my book. I am still waiting for my PGT-A results but I am convinced the DHEA definitely contributed. I did reduce the dosage to 2 a day on weekends as recommended by my consultant when I noticed side effects like greasy hair and frequent skin breakouts as that signalled my testosterone levels might be pushed up a little high from the DHEA. Good luck to you on your journey and keep up the faith! X

[Jam-master in reply to DreamingOfTwo79]

Thank you so much for the reply. As I said, I’m willing to give anything a go. Wishing you all the luck with your wee embryos xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Jam-master. As others will probably say, it might be worth a try. However, I would discuss the possible side effects with your specialist before trying, as it is a form of steroid. Good luck with whatever you decide. Diane

[Islay14]

Hello everyone, I have also just been recommend it so can’t offer any advice I’m sorry . I have however been to the pharmacy today & they have said they may or may not be able to get hold of it ( I will find out on Monday ) & they thought it would cost around £200 for 100 tablets . So I was just wondering is that about right & is there anywhere anyone would recommend getting it ( my clinic has given me a prescription) ?

[Sweethear in reply to Islay14]

you can get it on the internet it is a lot cheaper. Wishing you all the best. Try biovea is very cheap there

[Islay14 in reply to Sweethear]

Thank you x

[Jam-master in reply to Islay14]

I got mine from iHerb and it was a lot cheaper

[Islay14 in reply to Jam-master]

Thank you ! X

[Kimbob82]

Hi Jam 👋🏼 I would I defo recommend Dhea. I've had 6 egg collections now. I have very good amh for my age (I'm 40) so you wouldn't think I need Dhea but turns out after doing some testing I had low levels of dheas and testosterone. (I have polysistic ovaries but not the syndrome), which means I'm hypo androgenic pcos. Anyway long story short, last three egg collections exactly the same amount of menopur for the same amount of time (I only need 137.5 for 9 days before trigger ) ... and this most recent collection I got 24 eggs as opposed to 15 the other two times. Just found out on Friday that 19 fertilised and waiting to find out over next couple of days how many made it to blastocyst. The only change I've made is taking Dhea (50mg per day) for the last 4 months and also 3mg of melatonin at bedtime for the last 2 months. I can update you when I get the results of my day 5 embryos but I couldn't believe the difference it made for me. I had no side effects whatsoever. Only thing I would say is maybe start on 25mg or 50mg and see how that goes for you. 75mg might be too much for you if you have good amh. Have you had your testosterone and dheas levels tested at all? Have also heard many stories of women waiting for ivf cycles to begin that have fallen pregnant naturally after taking Dhea for a couple of months. Definitely worth a shot! X

[Jam-master in reply to Kimbob82]

Thank you so much for that reply! It definitely gives me some hope. I’ve never had my levels tested so like you say I may start on a slightly smaller dose and work up to it depending on how I get on. Definitely keep me updates on your blastocysts xx

[Jokiekin11 in reply to Kimbob82]

hi very interesting about the dhea. Just wondering how you got on with your embryos? Xx

[Kimbob82 in reply to Jokiekin11]

Hi there I managed to get 6 top quality day 5 embryos from this cycle... not bad for a 40 year old. It was without a doubt the melatonin and Dhea that made the difference for me 👏🏼

[Mom_Njai in reply to Kimbob82]

great news! How long did you take?

[Kimbob82 in reply to Mom_Njai]

Just under 4 months. 50mg per day...

[Sweethear in reply to Kimbob82]

congratulations this is indeed great news

[Jokiekin11 in reply to Kimbob82]

aww that’s brilliant, really pleased for you! X