DHEA

Anyone use this? Researched it? Talk to me about DHEA.

Re: DHEA

I've read quite a bit about DHEA. It seems to hold some promise; however, the warning on DHEA bottles makes me very nervous. It specifically warns against women of child-bearing age using it.

I wouldn't touch it without a very serious discussion with your RE.

Re: DHEA

I've read a lot about it, but the one major published study is questionable. My RE does not necessarily believe in it, and mentioned I should be cautious. If I do decide to take it I will certainly let him know, but you shouldn't take it for an extended period of time (ie more than three months).

The side effects certainly make me nervous. I think if I do take it, I would do it in the month off, and stop when I start stims.

Re: DHEA

not sure if this is related but i used testosterone patches during some of my stim cycles

Re: DHEA

I took DHEA for my 4th and final OE IVF cycle. My 3 previous cycles results in 1, 2 and 1 embryo to transfer/fertilize. I took DHEA for 3 months prior to my cycle. I did not have the typical side affects that everyone complained about. Actually had no side affects except my hair got really strong. Anyway, I took 25mg 3x a day (total of 75). OK, that cycle at the age of 41 gave me 15 eggs(thought the lab made a mistake), of which 10 were mature, and 8 fertilized. I did stop taking it at ER. I will say that cycle was a BFN (transferred 5 embroys), BUT...it appears I have a uterus issue that i am still learning about. So, I believe if transferred to anyone but me...might have given us a positive result. And outside of my Dr. stimming me an extra day (at my request), not much else changed. I mean during the cycle the RE's would just say "lots of follicles". I never heard that in the prior cycles. Got the DHEA at Whole Foods or Wild by Nature. I just can't explain any other way why I had such a high number of eggs and fertilization.

Another note, I see an endocrinologist for my thyroid issue and he had tested my DHEA and i knew mine was low. So I wasn't worried about taking the supplement for a short period of time.

Re: DHEA

My friend who is 43 and had very high fFSH took it for about 7 months. The plan was to take it then do her final round of Ivf, after 2 miscarriages. Her FSH never changed. And she was devastated...however.... she got pregnant on her own! She is now 22 weeks! I don't know if it was the dhhea or the fact that she was not trying and waiting for the Ivf, but either way, something worked.....

Re: DHEA

Thank you for all the responses. Normally with supplements I have the philosophy that it can't hurt, but this ones makes me a little more uncomfortable. I'm 32, normal FSH but poor embryo quality and sluggish response to stims. Still not sure if it's right for me

Re: DHEA

First off I would talk to your RE about taking it. I did talk to mine first and he was OK with it. And maybe they can test your DHEA and see where it is for your age group etc.... I know people with PCOS would have a naturally high level of DHEA and should not take it. If you only plan to take it for 3 months, I think you would be OK. Though there are a ton of other supplements you could take too. I did also take other supplements on that #4...I had to make a schedule so I wouldn't forget. I took Green Vibrance (powder form), Fish Oil, L-Arginine, Pycnogenol, CoQ10, Pre-natal, hmmm....can't remember what else.