does DHEA really help poor responders in IVF?

[karenvancouverisland]

i've been reading up about DHEA for women like me, who have high FSH, likely POA, and are otherwise healthy (clear hsg, hysteroscopy ect).. will DHEA really help?  

the NYC center for human reproduction seems in the forefront for promoting this..anyone know about the validity of this?  i've started taking 25mg 3xday..  please help

[Svetz]

Hello,
I am doing some preliminary testing at a new clinic in order to start IVF.  I had done it about 3 years ago but had a poor response to stims.  I have been taking DHEA for about 1 and 1/2 months now.  I noticed my body reacting to it almost right away.  I just feel everything more, more noticable ovulation symptoms, more breast tenderness after ovulation, oily scalp and skin, improved mood.  So I am hoping that once I do start the stims (if I'm able to start) that I am able to produce a significant number of eggs.  Can someone tell me what microlized means? And please keep us informed of any progress.  I'll be checking back but if someone wants to email me I'm at ***@****.

Karen (not the same Karen above)  I'll use my initials so as not to confuse us....KAS

[karenvancouverisland]

thanks sally and tina!  
i'm so sorry about your m/c sally. i too had one early june- it was awful. it was miraculous that i got pg at all- only had 2 large follies at ER.  so none left for FET.   so i'm curious why you're doing a cycle- no frosties?   and how long did you take DHEA for before you got your 11 follies?

i'm thinking of taking DHEA for 2 months before i stim.  i've heard  3-4 months is best, 2 is minimum..but i'm getting conflicting info, and not sure what to do.   and what's your story sally?  and i'll look forward to those links.

thanks ladies! karen

[tina1111]

I have recently jumped on the DHEA bandwagon myself. I have read so many good things about it and very little bad. My FSH is still good at 7.1. But, every little bit helps I think. I started at 25mgs also and am now at 75. 50 in am and 25 in pm. No s/e at all. Here are a couple links that have good reading material. Oops, they are in my favorites on my home computer *blush*  I will post them when I get home.

Also, I have read it is important to only take pharmacy grade microlized DHEA. I bought mine from DHEAdot.......com

[sasparilla]

Hi Karen.. I started taking DHEA prior to my last IVF.  And before this I had an inject cycle with 300 Iiu's of Menopur for 12 days and I produced exactly 2 follicles for the IUI.  Now, I can normally produce 2 on my own!  My FSH ranges from 7.5-13. So, I looked into DHEA and thought I would give it a try.  I started at 25mg and worked my way up to 75 mg.  (I'm 38)
For my IVF I was on super high stims, but after 13 of stims, at ER I had 11 eggs, ALL MATURE and 9 fertilized without ICSI!!!  I did get a BFP, but unfortunately, ended in m/c @ 6 weeks.
I am starting a new IVF cycle in about 10 days and have been taking 75 mg DHEA (micronized) every day.  Hopefully I will produce as many eggs with good fert. like last time.

Hope this helps.

Sally