Has anyone used DHEA to improve egg quality?

[KateM]

I have just started taking DHEA to improve the quality of my eggs for my second IVF attempt. Im headed towards early menopause and my eggs are already poor quality, so we are hoping this may get us to the stage of achiving at least one healthy embyo.
My FS listed some of the side effects of DHEA as: balding, acne, facial hair, increased libido and enlarged clitoros
Im still going to take it, but Im wondering if anyone else could tell me if they experienced any of these scary side effects??

Thanks very much,
Kate

[Mummawannabe]

Hi KateM,

I have no experience with this drug, but have heard of others falling pregnant naturally after just 2 months, when they have been ttc for years! I am interested to hear which clinics are offering this (in Brisbane), and ppls experiences on the drug as I would love improved egg quality!

[Alice]

Hi KateM,

I'm sorry you are facing early menopause but just wanted to say that, yes, I've used DHEA (three months prior to IVF) and I'm using it again now (into my second month).

And I'm very happy to report - I had none of those side effects! But the first time I used it I was very very irritable according to DH

Also happy to report - first time I used DHEA, I fell pg (after nine years of no success and five years of IVF). I have one ovary so I only ever get about six eggs (best count). In the beginning of IVF I got 5 blasties from 6 eggs but none of them stuck and the two other cycles I got 2 blasties, then the next time only one (I'm obviously much older now), then when I used the DHEA I got 6 eggs, 5 blasties on day 3, 2 on day 5, we put one really great one back but had none to freeze. So you can see, it made a big difference for me.

Sadly we lost our bub at 8 weeks but we're trying again now and hoping for a second success. The FS thinks DHEA really made a big difference and I agree. Good luck and all the very best to you

Alice xx

PS I also met someone through an IVF group who had been through early meno and she was lucky to have a friend donate an egg - she got pg on her first go at IVF with the donor egg and has a healthy baby boy so fingers crossed for you!

[KateM]

Thankyou both so much for the encouraging feedback, I appreciate it and am really pleased to hear that DHEA has been helpful fo other people.
Its been over a month now and Im pleased to say I havn't noticed any side effects.
I guess a break after a cycle of synarel and countless needles has made me feel great again too! We will try naturally for a short while (we have a short overseas trip coming up and I don't want to be carting needles and meds around). Then we will have another IVF cycle, Im hoping the new approach my FS has decided on (after seeing how poorly I responded last time), will lead to more sucess this time.

Alice, Im really pleased to hear it made such a difference to you, Im so sorry to hear you lost your precious bub, I hope you have another sucess very soon.

Mummawannabe, I will send you the details of my FS who suggested the DHEA.

Best of luck to you both, thanks for your response and encouragement, it means a lot

[electra68]

Sorry to bump, but those in Sydney, which FS prescribe DHEA?

[KitKat72]

Thanks for this thread. I just learned I have low AMH, and have read that there is some evidence that DHEA may increase my chances of producing more/better quality eggs. I won't know how I respond to stims until my scan next week (I'm currently on Day 2 of my first-ever cycle), but, if my response is not-so-good, as I'm expecting, then here's hoping that my FS will give me a prescription when I see him next week.

Anybody know if any FSes on the Gold Coast are supportive, or at least not hostile, to the use of DHEA for this purpose?

Thanks again!

KitKat72

[Alice]

electra - I got it through Sydney IVF - I think a few of the specialists there prescribe it and I've heard other clinics do too. Send me a PM if you need more info.

Alice

Still catching up on thread - just wanted to post this quickly

Sevie - sorry the DHEA isn't helping in your circumstances and all the best for the donor egg transfer. I too and looking into that - and have had an offer from a much younger friend but finding it hard to think about so leaving aside for now. All the best to you x

KateM - I'm on the same dose as you but have just dropped to one tablet a day because my IVF cycle has been delayed so didn't want to keep taking so much of it for a longer time (already been on it just over 2 months). I hope your time away is just what you need. x

KitKat - how did your cycle go? Are you in the TWW? Fingers crossed for you x