Tuesday, August 31, 2010

More pills & the possible benefits of DHEA

Friday was CD 1 (woot!), I promptly called the RE's office, left a message on the nurse's voicemail and waited for a callback. She called me back and gave me a list of dates/times/details to put on the calender and called in a prescription for BCP for me. Yesterday I started the BCP, Loestrin, which by the way cost me around $75!! Walgreen's kindly informed me my insurance saved me $4.17. I'm assuming the cost was astronomical because it was brand name or something. The nurse also told me to get thee to GNC and purchase a bottle of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), found in the Men's Section. Since the prenatal and the fish oil pills I take are gigantic I was relieved to find the BCP and the DHEA are minuscule.

I was though a little concerned at some of the side effects listed on the bottle of DHEA. They include: For example, masculinization may occur in women, including acne, greasy skin, facial hair, hair loss, increased sweating, weight gain around the waist, or a deeper voice.
and my personal favorite: increased aggressiveness - WTF!

I've done a little online research about the use of DHEA in women with Premature Ovarian Failure (like myself). What I found seems to be somewhat promising - it can improve egg counts and increase the egg and embryo quality. This article from the Oxford Journal on Human Reproduction agrees that DHEA has positive effects when used during an IVF cycle. I can only hope it'll help me this cycle...

No comments:

Post a Comment