XP: DHEA

UMichGirl

I don't know whether to post here or on IF...so I'm posting in both places. 

Who has (or is) taking DHEA?

I know that whether or not you should take it varies by doctor, and my current RE didn't seem to think I should take it.  However the doctor we spoke to at CCRM said he thought it would be a good idea and recommended I speak to my doctor (since he can't write me a script...he hasn't seen me yet) and get a prescription to take 25mg twice a day.

I plan to research this a bit because to be honest I haven't paid a whole lot of attention to posts about it since I knew my RE wasn't pushing for me to take it.

Thoughts?  Advice?

 

*Willis*

From your sig, it doesn't appear that you have done an IVF before.  My guess is that your current RE wants to see how you respond before you add another drug in to the mix.  You may respond well (or at least decent) and have great egg quality.  The first IVF is so much of a trial run, it's hard to tell.

If we cycle again (IVF #3), we are doing a 3 month DHEA protocol.  IVF #1 only retrieved 5 eggs, none to freeze, IVF #2 was such a poor response it was converted to an IUI.  I have never had a successful pregnancy.  At this point, my RE is confident in my poor egg quality and willing to add DHEA to see if it helps.  I am taking it now, but didn't need a prescription.  I take 75 mg a day.

 

mm29

I took it for about 6 months.  I stopped taking it because the Dr at SIRM advised me to do so.  He felt it may negatively affect egg quality.  I am torn because the data suggests it may help.   

The typical dose is 25mg three times daily.  Here is a study that discusses DHEA benefits of DOR/POF patients.  If you decide to take it, make sure you being monitored because it can increase your testosterone level.

GL with your decision.  

  

Temp935838312504158

I responded on the IF board

Mandy_Lou83

I am taking a compounded Rx form of DHEA made by Belmar Pharmacy. I'm not sure of the dosage, but I take half a pill twice a day.

I only had two eggs fertilze out of seven for my first IVF. By day five I only had one to put back.

JM1977

After our first failed IVF, my RE at CCRM recommended I take DHEA (75 mg per day), and she also wanted me to use the compounded version from Belmar Pharmacy.  We then switched clinics due to distance/financial reasons, and my new RE didn't want me on it, so I never pursued it.  It seems like there are so many conflicting opinions about it - very confusing....

finallyreilly

I took it 3x a day for four months before our last IVF.  I did it at the recommendation of a doctor at CCRM even though my RE were I cycled didn't support it.  I used OTC DHEA.

For us, it was our last chance to conceive with my eggs and I decided it was worth the risk.  We had been doing TTC for 2 1/2 years and doing our final IVF.  The side effects are rough but seem to die down after about the second month.  I also took wheatgrass and went to an acupuncturist that was associated to my clinic.

I honestly cannot say one way or the other if it was the reason that last IVF worked, but I do know somehting had changed from my prior to IVFs.  I didn't produce more eggs, but obviously I produced better eggs because we ended up pregnant with triplets and had twins.  Up until that point, I had done many IUIs and 2 IVFs where nothing worked - even when the egg quality looked good for my ERs. 

I am definitely not promoting that you take it without your doctors knowledge or support, I just wanted to give you our story.

GL!!