DHEA and IVF

[Ovary]

hi all.  has anyone who had prior failed IVF, used DHEA after that and become pregnant.  Im almost 40 and had a failed IVF.  I've read on other forums that DHEA helps when you are aging.  Any suceess stories out there please.

thanks
Ovary

[babyhope40527]

Meeko, That was really nice of you to detail out about DHEA and your experience. this is what exactly i have been looking for. some soothing words and wisdom of help. I will order micronized version tonight. hope any brand does not matter. I have been taking the regular stuff since a month. :(. and my chemical pregnancy cycle, i made only 3 eggs, 2 fertilized with ICSI. we have sperm issues too. and my accupunturist said it is enough if i go to him only during stims, is that correct? i have been reading like people go there for months.

and my meds are completely different from yours, my last cycle was ganirelix protocol with BCP, gonal-F and low dose HCG shots everyday. so i dont know the meds you mentioned.

well! thats about it for now. hope my eggs get better by december and give me a BFP. Come on DHEA!!!!! You can do ittttttttttt!!!!!!!!! LOL

Wish you good luck for your next cycle. and by the way, your fist kiddo, boy or girl?
LOve
Babyhope.

[meeko2468]

Hi Babyhope

I just wanted to add a comment to the note I left above at b)

Because of my AMH, I was never, ever going to get record numbers of eggs retrieved.  With the successful outcome, I ended up with only 2 eggs retrieved.  I remember being distraught at the fact that I only had two and that was before fertilisation.........BOTH ended up 10/10 grade however, and again, although I'll never be able to say either way, I wonder if the DHEA helped in increasing the quality.


xx  

[meeko2468]

Dear Babyhope

I'm so sorry to hear about your cancelled IVF and chemical pregnancy, it's so hard building up all your hopes for them to either be cancelled or for a negative outcome.  I know exactly how hard it will have been.   I wish you all the luck in the world with your IVF in December xx

I'm not an expert Babyhope - I'm just similar to yourself with a low AMH.  I have however researched DHEA hugely before deciding on taking it.  I have also discussed it in detail with the specialist I've seen who emailed me the most recent clinical research available at the time.  

The recommendations are that:

a) you really want to be taking it for a minimum of 3 months for best results;

b) it won't increase egg number, but the quality of the eggs are better (the poor egg number, like myself, is as a result of the AMH)

c) it needs to be the micronised version; other types available are used for other purposes, e.g. 7-Keto is used by body-builders or those wishing to add weight/muscle.  The codes I've given in my above post will show you the ones I ordered through iherb dottcomm and a discount code also.

d) you need to take 75mg each day.

As you'll see from my original post, after cancelled cycles due to poor response, we were blessed with a positive pregnancy, which resulted in the birth of our son in September last year.  Hopefully, Babyhope, that will give you some strength in the knowledge that it can and does work.  Additionally, when my cycle was cancelled, I did the same as you're doing now - going back for another shot as soon as possible.  Who knows what works - I wonder whether the little time in between cancelled and the successful treatment helped!

I never ever had my DHEA levels checked afterwards......to be honest, I didn't feel that it would matter and my question would be - 'so what', in other words, what does the level actually mean?  We all have different levels of DHEA in our bodies anyway - what's important is whether it helps in IVF or not.  Just my opinion - my doc didn't feel checking it was necessary anyway.

Incidentally, our treatment that I mention above (we ended up having in September 2011) was cancelled, like yourself, as a result of a poor response.  We are going back again in the middle of next month.  Fingers crossed this time!!!!

With my successful pregnancy, I used Menopur 375iu, then Cetrotide (to suppress ovulation).......then after ET I used Cyclogest pessaries.  I also used Clexane injections which seemingly reduce the likelihood of the embryo not implanting.

I hope that I haven't given you too much information.   Don't give up hope though hun - wishing you all the best

S
xxx

[babyhope40527]

Hey Meeko and ladies,

I am badly looking for data for DHEA. I got my levels checked and it came out to be 0.95. I know its too low. :( My AMH is 0.46. thats low too. I am 34, first IVF cancelled due to poor response, second ended as a chemical pregnancy. Using DHEA now. yet to buy micronized, using the regular one since a month, and it didnt seem to be of much use, as 0.95 is after using for a month. i am planning to go for another IVF in december, what are your thoughts here. will i ever have success with such low numbers.

please advice.

[meeko2468]

Hi Momo604 - my previous post is meeko2468 - two above your post.

I'm in the UK too - I use Trimedica from the U.S. company iherb *******.  Get the micronised DHEA - it absorbs better into the body and is purer.  I've checked this out with my doctor.  

If you use the code GUD528 at checkout, then it gives you a $5 discount on your total.  I usually buy 1 box of 50mg (product code TRI-00122) and 1 box of the 25mg (product code TRI-00107).  I take one of each, each night before bed.  I've not had any side effects at all - apart from much more energy!

It's better to just buy one of each as this keeps the cost below the taxable amount when it enters the UK.

Hope this helps, if not, send me a message.

Best of luck hun in your IVF/ICSI - don't give up - my AMH is much lower - only 1.6!

lots of luv

S
x

[momo604]

Hi there, thanks for all the info!!

I'm 41, TTC for 4 years, low AMH 2.74pol, FSH normal just starting on the road to IVF/ICSI...

Is there a difference between the DHEA supplements that seem geared towards beauty and micro-ionized DHEA? I'm in the UK and looking for a good DHEA brand - hopefully to help my egg quality.... fingers and toes crossed x Thanks to all you great women... :-)