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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:
Janefx40 · 03/03/2021 07:20

Hi @Carlos18 how are things? Did your period start?

I spoke to my clinic. They're not re-testing and don't want me to re-start DHEA. I took it for about 3 months until 11th Feb and my new IVF round is due to start on 18th March. They said my testosterone levels wouldn't reduce that quickly. It was a nurse I spoke to not a Dr so I don't know how accurate the information was but that's their position anyway.

Hope things have resolved for you

Original poster
Carlos18 · 27/02/2021 07:00

Thank you @Janefx40. you are right it is stressful! I was mentally geared up for starting after finally making the decision to go ahead and now feel a bit foolish for messing things up, even if it was on the clinics advice.

Yes, when you do speak to your clinic, if you have any insight from your clinic on how long it takes to leave the system that would be really appreciated.

Good luck with your IVF journey!

OP posts:
Janefx40 · 26/02/2021 22:26

@Carlos18 Firstly I know this must feel incredibly stressful but I'm sure your cycle will re-settle itself.

Yes I have heard of DHEA messing up cycles - I've heard this from a few sources. I don't know anything about testosterone gel but Rebecca Lett who wrote It Starts with an Egg suspects that 3 x 25mg DHEA is too high. My clinic do test and I was right at the bottom of the normal range. I took 2 x 25mg and was at the very top of the range 2 months later. It is powerful stuff so the dose you were on plus Testosterone will definitely have had some effect.

I've also been wondering how long it takes to leave the system for different reasons (I had to stop before we were ready to start our new cycle). If the clinic re-test and I get some insight I will let you know.

The female body is amazing and yours will go back to normal. Fingers crossed it sorts out quickly for you xxx

Original poster
Carlos18 · 26/02/2021 21:54

Hello SamoyedFan123,

Thanks for the response. Yes I asked that question before I did both and they said it was fine but clearly it’s not had a great impact on me! Wonder how long it will take to get out of my system. Hopefully not long.

They’ve now suggested starting on the progesterone capsules to trigger my period in a few weeks. Unfortunately they don’t test levels of testosterone or DHEA-S at the clinic so not sure what levels I’m at right now.

OP posts:
SamoyedFan123 · 26/02/2021 21:11

Hi OP did your clinic say it was OK to take DHEA at the same time as using the testosterone gel? The gel is basically a much stronger version of the DHEA but I definitely don't think you should use both together. It's a male hormone so I would think that an 'overdose' could mess up your cycle, but I'm not an expert - check with your clinic and good luck.

Original poster
Carlos18 · 26/02/2021 17:47

PS. I'm definitely not pregnant (we had to not TTC whilst on the testosterone cycle). Also, i'm pretty sure i didn't ovulate at all. I normally ovulate every month about day 21. I measure this and also can physically tell when i ovulate with a pressure sensation around the ovaries which coincides with an LH surge test. Anyway, i didn't get either this month and still haven't.

OP posts: