Infertility Support Group

In vitro fertilization is one of the most common and utilized ways of treating conception problems. This support group is dedicated to those beginning their journey with IVF and needing support. Join the community and share your experiences, advice, and story with people going through similar challenges starting a family.

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DHEA or Progesterone Causing Cystic Acne?

hope114
hope114

Hello, fellow TTC'ers. Are any of you experiencing cystic acne while undergoing IVF/IUI? It started for me last month. Have not had cystic acne since I was a teen. 38 now. They are painful and I am also getting bumpy skin around my neck and all over my back. I am very clean and wash daily and keep my face clean. Have been taking micronized DHEA 25mg 3x per day since early February. Additionally, I had 2 IUI cycles and was on progesterone (suppositories, 200mg 2x a day) for 2 weeks at a time. Skin felt oiliest when on progesterone. Anyone else experiencing this? Right now, I dropped down to 1 pill of DHEA a day and my skin is less oily, but still getting new cysts. The eruptions occur always in ovulatory and luteal phases. 


Any advice or experiences? thanks!


ABF
ABF
I have the same problem, plus my hair is falling out from the estrogen. I have always had really thick hair, so this is really depressing on top of having to go through IVF. Dr says it will all stop once I stop with the IVF. I've done 3 rounds so far. Good luck to you!
hope114
hope114
ABF, I am sorry! I didn't know estrogen can make your hair thinner?
I stopped taking DHEA completely, since I just knew the cysts would leave bad scars. I searched all over the internet and read a few posters says that if you are getting cystic acne, then it means you may have too much DHEA in your system. Since quitting, my face has cleared significantly, but I am still getting 1 zit here and there, but they are not cystic. My hair will probably take a longer time to thicken again, we shall see. The other awful symptoms have also lessened just a small bit: less greasy hair and less sweaty, slowing growth of leg and facial hair. I got so tired of shaving, plucking, bleaching! Some will say its worth it to have a baby, but I am just not sure about taking DHEA until a blood test determines that I am deficient.
Good luck to you too! I have been on stims for many months, and only had 1 egg retrieval, and it never made it to transfer. I have such a long journey ahead of me. But, I hope both of ours is short!