IVF and DHEA

[tanvi]

Dear All, I had a failed IVF cycle (1st one) in June this year. I'm now gearing up for my 2nd IVF cycle that's slated to begin during 10-Oct-to 12-Oct time frame. My doctor has put me onto BCP and also a new pill called Ovisterone (DHEA). I have read in multiple forums that this shows results only after a good 2-4 months of consuming. My doctor has recommended 25mg twice a day and I barely have 3 weeks before I begin the stimulation. She has also recommended that I continue consuming DHEA pills even during stimulation. Can any of you help me understand if in such a short period DHEA helps at all? What is a good duration to have DHEA before an IVF cycle. Also, my doctor seems to be suggesting different (from what I read everywhere else) that I continue using DHEA during stimulation. Could you advise please? Thanks.

[margi26]

I'm not sure how you can search for older posts, but a month or so ago I posted a similar question regarding DHEA and got some feedback with a few folks giving some websites and some study information.

From what I have read, it is the same as you are saying--it only does any good for a few months prior to starting IVF. But if you end up having to go multiple cycles then perhaps it would help?

Continuing during stimulation might be ok--to "plan" for next cycle, but my understanding is that you SHOULD NOT take DHEA when you might be pregnant...just my 2 cents....and see if you can find the old thread.

Best of luck...

Oh, and PS--I've read 75mg....3, 25 mg doses a day. That is what I have been taking--but that isn't from an RE advise, but from my own reading and gathering of information.

[Ghost]

Dear All, I had a failed IVF cycle (1st one) in June this year. I'm now gearing up for my 2nd IVF cycle that's slated to begin during 10-Oct-to 12-Oct time frame. My doctor has put me onto BCP and also a new pill called Ovisterone (DHEA). I have read in multiple forums that this shows results only after a good 2-4 months of consuming. My doctor has recommended 25mg twice a day and I barely have 3 weeks before I begin the stimulation. She has also recommended that I continue consuming DHEA pills even during stimulation. Can any of you help me understand if in such a short period DHEA helps at all? What is a good duration to have DHEA before an IVF cycle. Also, my doctor seems to be suggesting different (from what I read everywhere else) that I continue using DHEA during stimulation. Could you advise please? Thanks.

One possible role of DHEA is to encourage more primordial follicles to become antral follicles.

Developing an antral follicle takes many weeks (more than a month). Once they are antral follicles, they can respond to FSH stimulation.

I don't see any point in taking DHEA to develop antral follicles during your cycle, but developing them up to the start of the cycle would be a benefit.

[tanvi]

Thanks Margi and Ghost, that helps a lot.

[karenvancouverisland]

my reply may be too late to be useful, but i did lots of research on this before i took it in 2008. the new york center for reproduction is the leading fertility clinic that uses it and posts info on their website (check it out). i took it for 7 weeks, which was considered necessary, before the stims. some people take it for a bit longer. i stopped it once my stims started. i made more eggs than ever before on dhea. and i now have a son. i have diminished ovarian reserve, so this is a miracle. i hope your miracle arrives too. best wishes.

[Esie]

hello,..""
youre right karenvancouverisland....7 weeks, is considered necessary,!!
thanks a lot for the info..!!!
god bless,


cheers,
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[tanvi]

Thank you all for your responses, it has helped me decide. I have now postponed my second IVF cycle to Nov'10 or maybe Dec'10.

[riogirl71]

I have been taking DHEA for 3 months now and hopefully my AFC of 8 will have gone up, I will let you know!