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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

DHEA or Testosterone messed up my cycle

106 replies

Carlos18 · 26/02/2021 17:34

Hello Mumsnet,

I was due to start my first IVF round this month (short protocol). On advice of my clinic I have been applying testosterone cream for the cycle month before starting IVF. I also started taking DHEA (3 x 25mg per day). I know it is recommended to start several months before with DHEA but i didn't cotton on to that. The clinic also nudged me in that direction.

Anyway, as a result of one or the other, my period is 2 weeks late for the first time in 26 years (apart from when i was pregnant before).

I have therefore stopped taking DHEA as worried i've messed everything up and i can't actually start my IVF until my period starts now.

I just wondered if anyone else had a similar experience and if so, how long did it take for your period to start after ceasing to take DHEA?

I'm 39 and have super low.

Thank you mumsnetters

OP posts:
Mamalicious44 · 03/04/2021 11:22

@Janefx40 we go back the saying it only takes one egg..... don’t give up hope. @Carlos18 what is happening with you?

Janefx40 · 03/04/2021 09:29

Oh no need to apologise @Carlos18 it's hard enough keeping up with all the ups and downs of our own lives let alone other people's'!!!

Yes we had 3 embryos put back because at my age there is a low likelihood of any being viable. Of the three only one was top grade (and this was only day 2). Can't honestly say I'm feeling particularly hopeful but we shall see x

Original poster
Carlos18 · 03/04/2021 07:55

Apologies @Janefx40 I had missed a full tab of messages before asking that question and see you had already said about where you are with the process. Did you have all 3 eggs put in?

OP posts:
Janefx40 · 02/04/2021 08:47

@Carlos18 so we had 5 collected, 4 were mature and all 4 fertilised but then one day 2 we had 3 still going so they decided to do an early transfer. So I have no idea really! Not feeling particularly hopeful I have to say but I suppose there is no way of knowing

How are you?

Original poster
Carlos18 · 02/04/2021 07:52

Hi @Mamalicious44 that’s a positive sign. I’ve always been told to wait for a full, red bleed with continuous flow.

@Janefx40 how are those eggs getting on? X

OP posts:
Mamalicious44 · 01/04/2021 23:01

Thanks Jane/ I will track and see. Fingers crossed for transfers..... BTW have you been diagnosed with an infertility problem in particular? Sorry to hear about previous miscarriage.... I know we all have them but does not make them easy....

Janefx40 · 01/04/2021 22:43

@Mamalicious44 could be a good sign. I don't reckon it's day 1 officially unless you get full flow red blood. But about a month my miscarriage I got spotting and decided to count it as a period so tracked ovulation on that basis. It worked out and 12 days later I ovulated (normal for me) then proper period 14 days later. So for me that spotting was a kind of quasi-period while my hormones were messed up. If you don't get full flow that could be what is happening to you.

Glad something is happening at least!!

I had a Day 2 transfer yesterday. No point in waiting as had only 3 left.

Xxx

Mamalicious44 · 01/04/2021 22:37

Hey ladies- so I have have had mild spotting for 1-2 days.... like a period trying to happen but not really. Not sure what to make of it- do I assume it’s day 1? Probably not.... is it just finally estrogen levels coming down and a tiny withdrawal bleed after an anovulatory cycle. So confusing! Anyway.... nothing I can do.... just keep on waiting ....

Mamalicious44 · 30/03/2021 10:15

@Janefx40 that’s amazing!!! I totally understand why you feel the need to be cautious with hopes but also give yourself permission to manifest this baby(ies) and celebrate the fact that 4/5 have taken 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉👍👍👍👍

Original poster
Carlos18 · 30/03/2021 09:52

@Janefx40 that’s great news for this stage. Got my fingers crossed for you for how things progress.

How do you feel today?

OP posts:
Janefx40 · 30/03/2021 09:18

@Mamalicious44 frustrating about the cycle but unless you want to try medication then just have to try to breathe through. AF will come eventually!

We got 5 eggs yesterday and 4 have fertilised over night. So we are still in with a chance but as I was explaining to my brother the only good result is a live birth. Other than that, it's better to fail at the first hurdle. So onto the next anxious stage

X

Mamalicious44 · 27/03/2021 22:19

Hello lovely ladies.... @Carlos18 sending you lots of calming energy. It’s also full moon and that usually reaks havoc on my sleep and irritability....so just give yourself permission to be a bit “off”....where are you now in your cycle?

@Janefx40 Sprinkling baby dust into your ovaries and a good response to the shots.

I admire both of you ladies- so resilient and brave to just take it all on.

I am now CD 36 and not even the smallest sign of PMT or a period..... sometimes get angry about it but usually calm down and surrender. I might just miss a whole cycle and I have to be ok about it.

Janefx40 · 27/03/2021 21:58

@Carlos18 sorry to hear you've been feeling shit. It is such a rollercoaster doing IVF and heart breaking when it goes wrong. Plus your hormones must be all over the shop. Did you have a period yet?

I did my trigger shot tonight. EC Monday morning so we'll see if there's anything in there

Love to you both x

Original poster
Carlos18 · 27/03/2021 21:44

How you feeling @Janefx40?

I think I’ve felt worse this last week that when I was taking the shots! Really emotional and physically a bit like I was coming down with something. Just knocked out really. Seem to be on the mend a bit now.

How are you @Mamalicious44?

OP posts:
Janefx40 · 23/03/2021 22:26

Hi @Mamalicious44 yes all good here thanks for asking. Have another scan tomorrow. Moods seem to have evened out. Have moved closer to the clinic for the next week or so which is easier.

Shame about the period. I assume you can't be pregnant? If not then good to relinquish control. Getting stressed won't speed things up. How long has this cycle been now?

@Carlos18 how are you? Have you had any further chats with the consultant?

Xxx

Mamalicious44 · 23/03/2021 11:14

@Janefx40 hope you are feeling les exhausted with all the meds. And @Carlos18 hope you enjoy the time off it all until next cycle. I have never done IVF so can only imagine how it all feels..... my period is not showing any signs of coming but I think I have really relinquished control over this and feel some relief. It will come when it’s ready.

Janefx40 · 20/03/2021 15:35

Not much news here. Had bloods and a scan today. Not much going on in the ovaries but can't expect much at my age! I feel really emotional and tired in the meds which I didn't experience last time I did fresh cycles. On the other hand I am way less anxious so that's something

Xxx

Janefx40 · 20/03/2021 15:29

@Carlos18 I'm so sorry to hear that. We put so much hope in these cycles and it is so devastating when it doesn't work out.

It's great that you are living such a healthy lifestyle but it's unlikely that there was anything more you could have done to change the result. The reality is that not every egg fertilises. We were told about 60% fertilisation is normal. So it is almost definitely just bad luck that those two weren't able to get there. It's a great idea to meditate if it helps but don't beat yourself up thinking this is your fault in any way.

Even for people with high AMH it's quite common for a first IVF cycle not to work out.

Take some time to be nice to yourself. It feels so draining when these things happen but in time you will feel stronger and ready to step forward again.

Xxx

Original poster
Carlos18 · 20/03/2021 14:44

Hi @Mamalicious44. I’ve been doing acupuncture weekly for over a year and taking every supplement recommended in “it starts with an egg”. I do moderate exercise and don’t eat badly. I expect work is quite stressful much of the time, as well as I don’t do meditation so could improve there!

OP posts:
Mamalicious44 · 20/03/2021 12:57

@Carlos18 so sorry to hear that 😔... are you ok? Great you have another round to go. What are doing to make sure the chances are best? I think after a while it becomes mind over matter. Have you read “inconceivable”- quite inspiring. Supplements, meditation/visualizations, good sleep, moderate exercise, acupuncture, low light laser.... so many things to tap into!

Original poster
Carlos18 · 20/03/2021 11:57

Morning both,

Just an update - neither of the 2 eggs collected fertilised over night which is sad. The embryologist couldn’t really say why because on the face of it things appear normal.

We have one more IVF round paid for so will obviously plan to proceed with that after a meeting with the doctor at some point soon.

Keep me posted on your progress ladies!

OP posts:
Janefx40 · 19/03/2021 19:19

@Carlos18 oh congrats on your EC!! Have everything crossed that your eggs do well!!

Yes my FSH was 9.3 so we have started stims. Only done 2 days and I'm already exhausted. It didn't help that I had to get up at 5:30 for blood tests!!! Today is my birthday and it's been nice.

@Mamalicious44 great about your levels. Let's hope that period comes soon then

Xxx

Mamalicious44 · 19/03/2021 18:04

Sending all that positive energy to those two follicles! Isn’t it crazy how one month you want your period and the next you don’t!

Original poster
Carlos18 · 19/03/2021 17:59

That’s great news @Mamalicious44, hope your period come soon!

I had my egg collection today, they got 2 eggs from the remaining 3 follicles. We’ll get an update in the morning about how they are looking and whether they have fertilised.

OP posts:
Mamalicious44 · 19/03/2021 17:36

I got my DHEA and testosterone levels- all normal range (both higher end of normal) so that’s reassuring...now just need this period! Hope you are both doing ok