DHEA or Testosterone messed up my cycle

[Carlos18]

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

@Summerishere83 personally I wouldn't do IVF if I knew I could conceive naturally - but then I've never really had the choice!!

BTW IVF could work for you if you take DHEA because it could lower your FSH enough for the drugs to work. It doesn't matter what your natural level is as long as it is lowered before you start. DHEA will do that although I have heard people talking of other methods to do that do.

I'm now 45 so my egg collecting days are over. We still have one embryo left but the first one was a chemical and I don't feel optimistic. We've waited a long time to transfer and then I got Covid so are waiting even longer.

It has cost us everything - emotionally and financially. I thought that it was important to me to know we'd tried everything and it is but it is also a horrible feeling knowing we spent so much. That changes other aspects of our lives too.

@Summerishere83 best of luck with it all xxx

Hi @Janefx40

Thanks for your reply and sharing!
I know what you mean about knowing you have tried everything, I also had 2 chemical pregnancies since we started trying, the second one they even saw the gestational sac on the scan, it is heartbreaking. And it's only the start for me, I'm turning 39 next week so I don't know how much time I have with these hormone levels, no one can know.. As it turns out, I also have a massive polyp and I'm in the waiting list to get it removed, which wastes cycle after cycle, so frustrating. But once that's gone we're thinking of trying naturally for 3 months before resorting to IVF, especially at this cost they estimate.
I'm sorry to hear how it has affected you but you still have this one embryo, hope it will be worth it all that in the end!
All the best xx

Hi @Janefx40 and all

Hope everyone is doing well!

I just got my results and wanted to share, DHEA seems to have had dramatic effect on FSH, it's now 15.4 and it was 23 just 2 months ago, can't believe it! AMH is only slightly improved but at least it's going up and not down - from 3 it's now 3.7.

I just really wanted to share this in case someone else is worried about DHEA, I was very concerned it would mess up even more my hormones and ovulation. So it's a relief it doesn't seem to have a detrimental effect.

I am also very hopeful that it would help with the egg quality and that it's potentially recruiting follicles deep from the reserve!! That's the most important message I got from It starts with the egg, that reserve that would otherwise be dormant and lost is being activated!

I wish everyone all the best, and thank you for replying earlier, it was very comforting to hear your advice and experience@Janefx40

Hi @Summerishere83 that's great news about the FSH levels. Yes DHEA is really good at lowering FSH. There's no doubt that it does mess cycles up for a few women but for those of us who are lucky enough to avoid our cycles going wrong on it, it really is a great supplement.

What are your next steps?

Hi @Janefx40

After the polyp removal on the 9th August we're thinking of trying naturally for 3 months, so that's for September - November.

I'm very nervous about prolonging this even more but considering the chances from IVF are the same as from conceiving naturally, we have to give it a chance as the polyp was a factor and maybe responsible for the 2 unsuccessful pregnancies so far.

Of course it could be the quality of the eggs but there's no way of knowing at this point. I'm hoping DHEA is beneficial in that respect too.

How about you??

All the best xx