Mary Panjari1, Susan R Davis. 1. NH&MRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence, Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria, Australia. mary.panjari@med.monash.edu.au
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphate DHEAS are the most abundant sex steroids in women and provide a large reservoir of precursors for the intracellular production of androgens and estrogens in non-reproductive tissues. Levels of DHEA and DHEAS decline with age. It has been proposed that restoring the circulating levels of these steroids to those found in young women may have anti-aging effects and improve sexual function and wellbeing in postmenopausal women. AIM: To review the published literature for the efficacy of DHEA therapy data regarding safety. METHODS: A systematic literature search of MEDLINE (Ovid) and Pub-Med (1966 to November 2009) for original studies that included any of the terms dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA or DHEAS, sexual function, wellbeing, women and metabolic parameters of interest. RESULTS: Overall the interpretation of the data was limited by inadequate sample size and short treatment duration of available studies with inconsistent results. The more recent randomized controlled trials however do not support a benefit of oral DHEA therapy for women. A possible benefit that emerged is that vaginally administered DHEA may improve vaginal atrophy with concomitant improvements in sexual function in women who are estrogen deficient due to menopause. The potential value of oral DHEA therapy for postmenopausal women is called into question. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND:Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphateDHEAS are the most abundant sex steroids in women and provide a large reservoir of precursors for the intracellular production of androgens and estrogens in non-reproductive tissues. Levels of DHEA and DHEAS decline with age. It has been proposed that restoring the circulating levels of these steroids to those found in young women may have anti-aging effects and improve sexual function and wellbeing in postmenopausal women. AIM: To review the published literature for the efficacy of DHEA therapy data regarding safety. METHODS: A systematic literature search of MEDLINE (Ovid) and Pub-Med (1966 to November 2009) for original studies that included any of the terms dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA or DHEAS, sexual function, wellbeing, women and metabolic parameters of interest. RESULTS: Overall the interpretation of the data was limited by inadequate sample size and short treatment duration of available studies with inconsistent results. The more recent randomized controlled trials however do not support a benefit of oral DHEA therapy for women. A possible benefit that emerged is that vaginally administered DHEA may improve vaginal atrophy with concomitant improvements in sexual function in women who are estrogen deficient due to menopause. The potential value of oral DHEA therapy for postmenopausal women is called into question. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors: Queenie Ho Yan Wong; Tracy Wing Yee Yeung; Sofie Shuk Fei Yung; Jennifer Ka Yee Ko; Hang Wun Raymond Li; Ernest Hung Yu Ng Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2018-03-09 Impact factor: 3.412