What is the deal with DHEA? Helpful? Waste?

[margi26]

Just wondering what folks know or have been told in regards to taking this as a supplement prior to IVF cycle? I see and hear conflicting information on the internet. Some women have sworn it helped them. I read some data from a NY clinic that stated it is especially beneficial for women with diminished ovarian reserve. It said that they even felt better and more juvenated while taking it as well. Any stories or thoughts either way?

[Wensdy]

I'm also very interested in hearing what anyone has to share about DHEA. I've taken DHEA half-heartedly since June. Half-heartedly coz I'm "self-suplementing" and keep reading differing, conflicting info on it. Some articles have been so positive about it that I ran out and bought it few months back. But now...for the first time in ages ...i have not ovulated and not ovulated 2x in a row even according to ovulation monitor, late periods and very light periods. Now, that said, I am old enough (46) to expect this might start happening anyway- but it seems very coincidental that the month i really upped the DHEA to a full 50mg - 75mg a day then my ovulation would stop. maybe it's a coincidence. I can find nothing online that would suggest that this level DHEA dosage could disrupt a cycle so much. in fact just the opposite. So I'm VERY interested to find out more about it and other ladies' experiences with it. From what I've read DHEA could be one amazing supplement for older women and DOR too. Hope So...this no ovulation is freaking me out. Day 15 and nothing and I have been monitoring it for over 18 months.

[Ghost]

I'm starting to think there probably is some benefit to DHEA in some patients, but I wish the studies were better.

There has been a recent prospective randomized trial (the best kind of study) of testosterone pre-treatment in women getting ready for IVF. The summary is found here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20801436

DHEA just might act similarly. My understanding is that some DHEA is converted to testosterone.

[summit]

In my research most sites have recommended that you if you are taking DHEA you should inform your doctor so your hormone levels can be monitored, especially if you have begun injections for an IVF cycle. I am guessing that elevated hormone levels could impact ovulation. The clinic I work with did a study on the use of DHEA and found no real merit to using the supplement.

[Ghost]

In my research most sites have recommended that you if you are taking DHEA you should inform your doctor so your hormone levels can be monitored, especially if you have begun injections for an IVF cycle. I am guessing that elevated hormone levels could impact ovulation. The clinic I work with did a study on the use of DHEA and found no real merit to using the supplement.

I don't see any purpose in taking it during an IVF cycle. If it's going to make any difference, it would need to be long before.

The purpose is to get more primordial follicles to become antral follicles. Only antral follicles can respond to FSH. But it takes 1-2 months for a primordial follicle to become an antral follicle. Seems to me, DHEA is not something that is going to benefit you during during the IVF cycle (stimulation).

[lilmd]

I think that you are supposed to take it for a few months before a cycle... I have a link to an article about this on my blog on the top left side under articles. A few years ago DHEA was being shrugged off in IF but it seems to be getting more and more press.

http://thehopefuljourney.blogspot.com/

[riogirl71]

I have been taking DHEA for a couple of mos. On my first IVF my right ovary produced 2 follies. On the second IVF it produced 1 follie. I was never told on those what my antral count was. After taking DHEA for 2 mos, my antral US showed 3 follicles on right ovary - the lazy one! I have been feeling better and sleeping better. My cycle is still 28 days on the spot and heavy bleeding just as a teenager. So I personally think it might be helping. I plan to stop it this week since I start meds next week and like Ghost said the benefit would be before the cycle and not during.

[lilmd]

I just came across a study using DHEA. Here is the link.. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0 ... ure&rank=8

[riogirl71]

My Re recommended 25 mg 3 times a day.