Confused about egg maturation process and Q10/DHEA after failed pregnancy. Help?!

[notabiologist]

Hello. I am not sure whether this is the right place to post, but I have just experienced a devastating TFMR. I am pretty old now - 44 - but wondering whether to try just one more time. I don't think I'm brave enough but just in case, I've been reading up on egg quality and thinking about taking Q10 and DHEA. I don't seem to have a problem getting and staying pregnant, but my eggs are clearly quite rubbish and over the hill (this is my second TFMR).

I know you need to take these supplements for at least three months prior to TTC because that's how long it takes for the egg to mature. But from previous experience, it is likely to take at least three months for my cycle to start up again.

So .... if I started the supplements now, and ovulated in c. three months - would that be enough time to have the desired effect on a maturing egg? Or, would I need to wait three months from my first ovulation for the supplements to have an effect on eggs maturing from that point?

No idea if this makes sense! And I know I am clutching at straws regardless. But ... anyone got any ideas? I'm meant to be reasonably intelligent but this has defeated me.

I think the window when you can have the most impact is 90 to 20 days before ovulation. You could try different supplements, a super healthy diet with ample protein and healthy fat, no sugar, alcohol or caffeine and moderate complex carbs, loads of veg and some fruit. Ideally, you'd need to go organic and avoid plastics and other toxins.
With DHEA being a steroid hormone, personally I wouldn't touch it unless specifically recommended by a doctor although it is meant to be great so worth inquiring.

Good luck if you do decide to have a go :)

Thanks JoJo. I know what you mean about DHEA. It seems a bit mad to even be considering it but after these two losses, I would freely admit to being a bit mad. I'm just thinking that nothing at all can be happening in the egg department while my body technically thinks it is still pregnant so any supplements taken during that time would have limited effect. Although perhaps everything helps!

DHEA is very beneficial for egg maturation, but did awful things to my lining.

It overstimulated my adrenal glands, resulting in sky high progesterone levels and a prematurely thick, but non-trilaminar lining.

As a result, we had to switch to a freeze-all cycle and I am currently waiting for the DHEA to leave my system to go for a FET.

I will say though, that I produced more eggs than previous cycles (10 instead of 7) and had 100% fertilisation. They're currently sitting (frozen) at 2pn stage so unsure of their quality, but my consultant is v.excited.

I will say though, that I have also lost a significant amount of weight without trying, have noticeably toned up and found enormous amounts of energy while on the DHEA. Once I am through the other side of the IVF and (hopefully) pregnancy, I will def be going back on the DHEA for its beneficial effects.

CoQ10 far less contentious and would be well worth your while taking though...

Hmmm. Interesting. That sounds really stressful widehorizon. But good news about the eggs. Everything crossed for you for the IVF.

I am not doing IVF and - until now at least - don't seem to have a problem with ovulation and maintaining a pregnancy so guess I do not want to mess with that. It's just the egg quality, based on my previous two failed pregnancies. I wonder if I could take a low dose of DHEA. Perhaps though best to avoid and as you say, stick with the CoQ10.

I do like the sound of more energy. On the other hand I read that DHEA can also cause hair loss, and I've hardly got any of the stuff on my head already, so don't really want to risk that!

Thanks nota, I'm confident we'll get there eventually!

I see, so you'd be thinking about just using the supplements, not IVF?

Well, in your position, and seeing what it did to my lining, I would say give the DHEA a miss, esp if nobody is keeping an eye on your lining via scans etc.

Yes, DHEA can cause hair loss and greasy skin but I have v.thick hair and dry skin, so am happy to live with these effects, I experienced them very mildly anyway.

Just a thought, but have you thought about a round of IVF with PGD? This should reduce your risk of miscarriage/genetic issues by ensuring any embryos are euploid. Quite invasive and risky though, might be overkill if as you say you have no issues getting pregnant...

Good luck with your decision, and I'm sorry to hear of your TFMR

WideHorizon - very impressive fertilisation rate! And the fact you got more eggs as well. Do you put it down to DHEA or is there anything else that you think would have contributed?

Hi Wide. I have two DC already so am incredibly fortunate. These two TFMRs have left me with a desperate need for a baby. We won't go down the IVF route now. I am just wondering whether to give it one more roll of the dice so to speak. Probably, I won't. But .... I may start taking the Q10 just in case ....