title: Progesterone increase under DHEA-substitution in males.
abstract: Two case reports of men suffering from excessive fatigue and depression are presented, both treated with 50 or 25 mg DHEA per day over a period of 1 year. Under DHEA treatment one subject reported being less tired and the other experienced improved well-being without depressive episodes and an increase in libido. Investigations of sex hormone parameters in plasma before and under treatment revealed a decrease of testosterone and an increase of progesterone in both, possibly dose-dependent to DHEA application. It is hypothesised that the increase of progesterone is parallel to an increase of its metabolite allopregnanolone (which was not determined), that might explain the improvement in well-being. The increase of progesterone under DHEA supplementation in males should receive further attention.
authors.affiliation: MD Gyn/Ob and Consultant in Womens' Health, Basle, Switzerland. chris.nadjafi@quintiles.com
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nadjafi-Triebsch
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huell
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burki
authors.forename: Uwe D
authors.initials: UD
authors.lastname: Rohr
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D011374:Progesterone