IVF with Diminishing Ovarian Reserve

Hello Ladies,

I just found out today that I have an AMH level of 0.26, which is extremely low for my age. I will be 28 this July. According to the other treatments and test that I have already had done, my doctor is positive that my ovarian reserve is diminishing very quickly. The one good thing that I have on my side is the fact that according to my age, whatever eggs I have should be considered good quality. Its just a matter of retrieving as many of them as possible for IVF.

My doctor has me taking 25 mg, 3 times a day of DHEA supplements. DHEA's Beneficial Effects on Female Fertility....

*The investigators at CHR have successfully utilized dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, a mild male hormone that is converted to testosterone and estardiol in the body) for a number of years in women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), whether their low ovarian function is due to advanced age or premature ovarian aging (POA). In doing so, we have been able to demonstrate that in such women, DHEA supplementation has quite remarkable beneficial effects, best summarized as rejuvenating ovarian function. DHEA's effects on women with premature ovarian failure (POF), however, need more research.*

So with this being said, I am just wondering how many of you have had success with doing IVF with results as low as mine or close to mine? Has anyone tried the DHEA? Any and all comments are welcome!!

Much Love,
Jessica

[Jennie1211]

Hi, I personally did not have diminished ovarian reserve (though I did do IVF and was successful at 10 years older than you). However, I have a good friend who was very close to your age with very similar levels and with a diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve who just had her baby via IVF two months ago. I can't say if she did the DHEA but I don't recall her ever talking about it. I agree though, you still have some time on your side. As you age, the shell around your eggs becomes harder and you're then faced with additional challenges/ procedures, so you should still be good there :) Good luck to you-- I know it's a hard decision.

[beddajess]

Wow thank you for sharing! I love hearing other people's stories because it honestly gives me so much hope =) What you had to say really has made me think and I really appreciate it! Its definitely hard thing to go through but I feel as long as I know I have tried everything and if I don't succeed then it wasn't meant to be.

[Jennie1211]

I think that's the best way to look at it--it you don't try, you'll never know :) That's how we looked at it, as painful as those checks were to write LOL! Whatever you decide to do, keep us posted--these communities are great for support and advice. I don't know what I would have done without them when I was going through my process. Take care!

[beddajess]

Just thought I would update everyone and let you know that I had an appointment on 4/26 to discuss IVF and we will be doing it in June!! I am such a nervous wreck but anxious!!!

[Helen72]

What is your FSH level???  Success of ivf depends on FSH (it's an easy blood test on day 3 of your cycle).  If your FSH is very high your RE may not proceed with ivf.   FSH measures your ovarian reserve; high fsh levels also mean low quality eggs.  If your RE is proceeding with ivf that means there is a good chance of success.
I am so sorry you have to deal with this at such an early age!!!!

[beddajess]

First, I want to say THANK YOU so much for your care and concern, it means a lot!!

My doctor said that we will not be focusing on my FSH levels since my AMH levels are so extremely low. I guess the AMH levels are more definitive for my particular situation. My doc has me taking a DHEA Supplement 3 times a day for 2 months before we do IVF. It is known to help with how many eggs are retrieved on the day of retrieval during my IVF cycle. So we will see. My doc says that all it takes is one good egg, so I am hoping n praying that this works!

[1sherwood]

Sorry, I am not familiar with AMH, however, my FSH was 38 at it's highest (considered perimenopausal). My first RE gave us less than 2% chance of conceiving and would only do IVF with donor eggs. I found a great High FSH friendly RE and  I conceived on the second round of IVF with low stims, not high and my own egg. They retrieved and transferred only one egg both times! So, you're RE is right, all you need is one golden egg. It sounds as though you have a high FSH friendly RE which is really important. There is a wonderful support forum for those with high FSH. Google network 54 new high FSH forum. Those ladies got me through this journey and led me to the dr. that helped me conceive. Best of luck on your journey to motherhood.

[cheekyhalfs]

Hi Jess - it's kinda exciting too though, we're starting another IVF hopefully in May...if not it will be June so we will be close in dates yet again lol.  This time eh?, I feel quite positive :o)  What is AMH levels?  My FSH levels are too high also, and at 33 (almost....got 4 days to go yet lol) I was quite upset about this, however both my clinic and acupuncturist think I can still have a baby.  We had 16 eggs last time, and 2 grade A+ were put back so don't worry about your eggs hun.  We now know of course my cycle failed due to the very high number of NK cells in my womb lining, so I'll be on steroids to assist this time.

1sherwood - wow, what a very lucky lady, you were truly blessed.  Are you now a mummy or still waiting for baby to arrive?  What a lovely success story :o)

[1sherwood]

Thanks! My son, Jude, after the patron saint of hopeless causes, will be 4 tomorrow! I wish all of you luck on your whatever path may lead you to become mommy's.

[beddajess]

I know I haven't been on here in a while but I just wanted to say that your personal story has given me hope and encouragement. Because you are right, we only need one good eggie. I pray to the heavens above that I am blessed during retrieval with enough to make a successful pregnancy happen sigh. I just need to remember to take things one step at a time.

But again, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!!

[beddajess]

I know it has been a while since I have been on here but I just want to say thank you for always being so encouraging :) It goes such a long way with me and it really helps calm my nerves. I want you to know that I am praying for you with this new IVF cycle. I pray with everything I have in my heart that this is it for you and that it brings you your BFP that you are so more than deserving of xoxoxoxo