‘Mini IVF’ or DHEA supplement experience anyone?

[Peanut1980]

Hi 👋

I was wondering if anyone has experience of mini ivf or DHEA? Here’s a little back ground on my ivf journey.

1 DS 6 years old conceived naturally and easily
2 years ttc no success
1 year of ivf.
1st cycle. 9 mature eggs. 5 fertilised. 2 made it to day 5. 1 fresh transfer. BFP but miscarriage at 6.5 weeks. 1 FET BFN
2nd cycle. 15 mature eggs. 13 fertilised. Only 1 made it to day 5. BFN

So I’m currently in my 2WW for the 2nd cycle. I’m 5dp5dt and am getting a BFN on a FRER. I know it’s early and there’s a small chance result could change but I also know my body and know it hasn’t taken. For this cycle we went crazy with the stims and I think this was detrimental to the quality of the eggs. I had 30 follicles. Pushed me to my limits. This cycle was hard.

When I meet with our consultant I want to speak to him about mini ivf. I know it produces less eggs but it’s not a numbers game and more one of quality. I’m 39. Started my period early at 11. I would like to try one more cycle and I’m hoping a softer approach might get us that quality egg?!

I’ve also read about DHEA supplements. Again I’d need to check this with our consultant but does anyone have any experience on this? I know the egg cycle is 3 months so ideally I’d like to let my body recover from this tough cycle and work on improving the next batch of eggs over a couple of months.

Any info on experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you xx

DHEA is really only for those women with low AMH and low follicle numbers otherwise is can have some funny side effects and hence why not widely available in the UK

I did short protocol mild ivf
1st round - 14 eggs 12 fertilised 3 made to blastocyst but clinic said egg quality poor otherwise should have had more
FET1 BFN FET2 was a double transfer but also tried naturally that month and ended up with ruptured ectopic

Start next round in about 3 weeks again short protocol - I prefer it as it's much quicker and yes supposedly it's more about quality than quantity

I also take Proceive Max supplements and they contain some DHEA and also 200mg coq10 and also drink lots more full fat milk - i started taking it after FET1 and conceived naturally the next month (ended in MC) but the 3 times we have been trying naturally I got BFP twice so I hope my egg quality is better this time round

Hi @Peanut1980 DHEA certainly needs to be taken under the supervision of a consultant - as PP said it is primarily for low AMH ladies and can do more harm than good in people with certain conditions. Definitely run it past him though and in the meantime have a look into ubiquinol which is meant to improve egg quality

Thanks ladies. I’ll def mention it to the consultant. I’ve already been taking ubiquinol. I’ve just ordered some protein shake as thought that might help?

I really don’t know to be honest. Will any of it really make a difference? My head says probably not but my heart says to give it a shot!

Have you had L1/L2 tests. As I have PCOS I was told my failed transfers were down to poor egg quality but in fact they were actually down to autoimmune thyroid issues and a clotting disorder. As soon as I got treated for 3 months the next transfer worked

I read 'its starts with an egg' and found it very helpful, if only to give myself the feeling of control.
I took ubuiqinol and DHEA in the lead up to my final, successful IVF. I was incredibly nervous about taking DHEA so I only took a half dose eash day. This was without the knowledge of the consultant as I was having NHS treatment.
I asked my consultant about DHEA after the first round failure (short protocol, slow development but managed to get 1 grade b embryo). He said that he couldn't recommend it in his capacity as consultant for the NHS but he was taking it himself. He decided to after one of his patients had an incredible turnaround in embryo quality after taking it on her second round.
I was the same age as you on my second round and the results were much better. I had 2 a grade embryos, both put back, both implanted but we lost one at 7 weeks. Now sat with the remaining embryo watching Paw Patrol. I'm not certain DHEA was the successful factor but I think it contributed.
The short protocol is much easier on the body albeit with fewer eggs. I never had the long protocol so I cant compare but i was really fine with the treatment.
Good luck with what you decide to do. I wish you all the best x

What's DHEA? Is it omega?

DHEA is a hormone that supports sex hormones while DHA is part of the healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
The ubiquinol you mentioned may be supportive, and a water and fat-soluble form absorbs better.

@ckc45d10 got you, thanks!

Thanks all so much for your valued feedback. I’ll def discuss with our consultant when we next meet x