DHEA

[Zivic-Bubac]

Hi Dr H!

I'm turning 39 in October, my husband is 38, we are trying for over a year now for our 3rd baby ( I want a BADLY)

Our 1st daughter was non-fertile day (right...), 2nd was 1st attempt success so this is confusing me, I know fertlitity decreases after 35 but year is a loooong time, and I'm not getting any younger lo!

I was taking 50 mg of DHEA ( 25 mg in the morning, 25 mg in the evening) without consulting a doctor. Do you think that is safe dosage or should I cut it down? Shall I continue with DHEA until I get pregnant? ( I'm taking it only from 1st day of period -> ovulation)

I want to make sure I'm ovulating and of course to sway blue. I've never tested FSH but I guess it's getting higher with each year?

Also what do you think about Evening Primrose Oil? How useful it is and can it delay ovulation or mess the cycle in other ways?

Thank you in advance and please feel free to answer only if you have time or feel like it, it's not urgent at all!

[Hobbermittens]

I am curious to read the response. I bought some DHEA, but now I am afraid to take it, because of all the weird side effects! It said it causes facial hair and hair loss! Yikes!

[atomic sagebrush]

I'm not the doctor Hobber, but my understanding is that anyone younger than late 30's should never take DHEA anyway because you already are making enough DHEA all on your own. Levels of DHEA don't really start to drop off until very late 30's-40's.

[Hobbermittens]

Yeah, it says on the bottle not to take it if you are under 18. I think I am NOT taking it, unless we have trouble conceiving.

[lindi]

Women with PCOS or PCOS like symptoms should never take DHEA either. But over on the IVF PGD boards women seem to be having lots of success with it.

[Babydoctor]

It is important not to under rate the potential issues of DHEA. It is a steroid drug and should be treated as such with respect.

It is important before going on DHEA to get your levels tested and continue to have them tested. It can be counterproductive in reproduction if you already produce enough or have high levels to begin with such as PCOS patients.

On average, levels are usually okay if you under 40 years old.

I personally am on DHEA but I am 43 years old and monitor my levels. I must say it has helped me and some of my patients with DOR/POF. In relation to common side affects, for me personally menstrual issues have been my greatest issue .

For my patients, it has ranged from mild acne to menstrual disturbances. I would say the impact on side affects with my patients has been low because they are monitored.

In saying all of the above, I have some great success with patients that have used DHEA and with others no impact at all???? Testosterone therapy is another thing we have started.

Hope this helps. Hugs Dr. H

[Zivic-Bubac]

Thank you!

[jils04]

Dr H, what dhea and testosterone level should a lady at 38 have for optimum fertility?

[Babydoctor]

Hi Jils04

I am just looking for my ranges chart as I thought I could post that for reference for everybody. I must say I look for correct ranges for both but also monitor side effects, results and impacts.

Hopefully, I can get this posted ASAP.

Do you know your levels? Have you been tested? Have you had full hormone profile done as I also like to see the holitsic picture and then manage dosages etc.

Biggest Hugs Dr H

[jils04]

No I havent had levels checked. I take 25 in the morning and 25 in the evening. Side effects have been tiredness but better mood, also after I stopped in July to give myself a drug break, I got sore left breast that turned out to be glandular and now that I'm back on dhea preparing for nov cycle, breasts are back to normal. Ive had no male effects only tiredness. Could this be too much oestrogen ?
I wonder if the women who get hair growth or loss have too much testosterone and the ones like me that are tired are getting too much oestrogen/progesterone ? Can this be bad ? My last batching cycle was better than the failed one in feb.