use of DHEA in older women

[LeeseeK]

I'm new to this whole IVF business, my husband and I already having had two beautiful children 10 and 8 years ago and then proceeding to a vasectomy , confident we were finished our family. But, as is a woman's perogative, I've changed my mind and my husband has been very supportive of us endeavouring to have a further child. We've been advised that IVF with ICSI is our best chance of success , the vasectomy being over five years ago and I having just turned 40, but with our first attempt at IVF we got poor ovarian response and only recruited 4 follicles. My specialist has mentioned using DHEA to improve results and I would love to hear from anyone who has had any experience with this drug, results, side effects etc.

[Lee]

Hi Leeseek

I have been taking DHEA since January of this year 25mg 3 times a day. I have premature ovarian failure with high FSH levels ranging from 12 to 22 and my right ovary does not work at all my left ovary working at 25% along with the symptoms of menopause hot flushes night sweats etc. we had one IVF attempt that failed at the beginning of this year only producing one egg which although was put back it didnt survive, so my doctor asked me to try DHEA. As soon as I started taking it the hot flushes stopped, after 3 months I started having normal periods for the first time in over 4 years and after 5 months my blood tests showed normal FSH levels of 4.4 and a completely normal working left ovary. (The right one still dormant). I have had no side effects except good ones although you can have mood swings and acne I think. My doctor has had some success with pregnancies and a couple of women who could not tolerate it. There isnt really much research on it as it is fairly new but it is definately worth trying.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Lee

[pippylot]

Sorry could you let me know what drug that is? As a 43 yr old maybe I ought to know! Thanks.

[Lee]

Hi Pippylot

I hadnt heard of it either until I started researching into premature ovarian failure. It is a supplement that you can take and has helped some women like me with diminished ovarian reserve. I took it under the control of my consultant however not on my own as there are so many people out there selling it and saying in what doses to take it that I didnt know which one was the best advice.
He pointed me in the right direction as you have to order it from the internet and who to get it from. Unfortunately for me it did not result in a baby but it has helped my menopausal symptoms tremendously. I stopped taking it after our last failed IVF, but I am going to restart taking it as all my menopause symptoms have returned.

Hope this helps

Let me know how you get on, has it been sugested to you to try it?

Take Care Lee