Anonymous wrote:how is it biologically possible to go from a low AMH to a higher AMH? we are born with a set number of eggs, no? so our numbers can only go down, not up?

I don't know but my AMH went from 0.17 to 1.0 in the span of two months. perhaps the measurements are not reliable (which in itself is a problem).

how is it biologically possible to go from a low AMH to a higher AMH? we are born with a set number of eggs, no? so our numbers can only go down, not up?

I started taking DHEA about 4 months ago. I ordered it from Fertinatal online (apparently made specifically for fertility issues). I've noticed I've had more acne and my hair is a little bit thinner. But I also saw my AMH increase from 0.23 to 1.4, which seems pretty dramatic. I'm about to start a 3rd IVF cycle and saw my antral follicle count go up to 10 (was previously around 7-8). Not sure if it's all attributed to the DHEA. I've also gone gluten free and added a whole host of other supplements (Vitamin D, Chinese herbs, and others). Fingers crossed on the third cycle...

I started taking DHEA a month and a half ago. For me, the side effects were almost immediate. Oily skin, acne (I am 43 but I am re-living my teenage breakouts) but even more disturbing, I have had LOTS of hair loss. It if fortunate that I had a lot of hair, because I have lost so much, I think if I had started with a full head, I would really be showing obvious signs of thinning by now. I get clumps every time I wash my hair (every day). I also started having a urine like smell on my skin -- this really troubled me, as I fear it is an indication of kidney stress. I just had my levels tested and have cut back from 75 mg per day to 50. I may cut it down altogether depending what my tests show.

I took 25 Mg 3x daily for several months. I did not have any big side effects except for hair being softer. DHEA did NOT yield more or better eggs for me. I think it takes a few months of taking DHEA before the supposed benifits occur. My RE recommended DHEA- too. Who is your RE? Good luck!

Thanks for sharing your experience. My RE recommended I do 25 mg 3x/day, so we will try it out and see if it works (or at least if I can tolerate it!).

After having 2 back to back cancelled cycles for poor responses, I decided to take DHEA. I am AMA and have a very low AFC as well. I did my research and bought the micronized pharmaceutical grade version. I took 25 mg with the plan to up my dose every week until I was taking 75 mg. I never made it up to the 75 and had to stop after taking it after 3 weeks. The side effects were not so good. I had really oily skin and non stop crying spells. But the worse was the insomnia. No matter how early in the morning I took the stuff I just could not fall asleep at night or stay asleep. I am envious of the people who have not had any side effects, as I need something to help boost my egg quantity as well as quality. Hope it works for you!

I'm bumping this thread to see if anyone has any recent experience with DHEA, particularly for poor/not-so-great performers on stims.

I'd be interested to hear back about people's experiences with this. My issue is quantity, not quality. What I need is something to get follicle count up. I've asked my doctor about it and he says he hasn't seen it consistantly help people.

I just started taking it yesterday due to DOR. Got it at GNC. Plan to take 50 mg per day.

I have been taking DHEA for about 3 months. I have very thick hair, and that is still the case, however, I have noticed that the individual strands are finer. Sometimes I feel as if hair is fluffier/frizzier (but that depends on the day, or perhaps just having a bad hair day!) Otherwise I have not noticed any other side effects. I get mine at GNC.

I have failed two IVFs, so I just started taking DHEA a few weeks ago since I also read that it can improve egg quality. So far I have not experienced any side effects.

I don't know anything about dhea, but I always wonder about where to buy this kind of stuff to make sure it's real and safe. None of the supplements out there are regulated by the FDA, so it's always a gamble what you are getting. I know a woman who ordered supplements online, but I don't know from where.

I have DOR, diagnosed at age 31 (now 33). Started taking it in Dec 2010 and saw my antral follicle count increase from 7-9 to 12-18. However, the number of eggs retrieved did not increased. So, I'm not sure that it really made a difference for me. They say that it also improves embryo quality and my embryo quality did improve, but it is hard to isolate DHEA as the only factor that might have impacted that as I also did a different protocol for my final two IVF cycles (after starting DHEA).

I did not have any weird side effects like a mustache or anything of the sort (ha ha).

Do you have any experience taking DHEA? I have heard it can be helpful for AMA/DOR, but I am wary of supplements in general. I have heard DHEA can cause acne and thinning hair. I've also heard it can boost follicle count during IVF cycles. Can anybody shed some light on this? Thanks... and good luck in your own journey.