The use of dehydroepiandrosterone in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a report of gender differences.
Data regarding the efficacy of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) are scarce and inconsistent. We aimed to determine possible gender differences in the efficacy of DHEA as a treatment for HDSS. Postmenopausal women (n=27), and men (n=21) with HSDD, were randomized to receive either DHEA 100 mg daily or placebo for 6 weeks in a controlled, double blind study. Primary outcome measures were sexual function questionnaires. Hormone serum levels of DHEAS, total and bioavailable testosterone, estradiol, and urine levels of DHEA and androsterone were also measured. Participants on active treatment showed a significant increase in circulating serum levels of DHEAS, while bioavailable testosterone levels increased in women only. In women only, significant interaction effects were observed for sexual arousal (p<0.05), satisfaction (p<0.05), and cognition (trend; p=0.06). For arousal, a significant improvement was observed for the DHEA treated group at 6 weeks (p=0.001). Significant correlations were observed between bioavailable T and sexual cognitions, arousal and orgasm, while DHEAS was correlated with satisfaction. In the men, significant correlations were observed between testosterone and arousal (r=.45), sexual drive (r=.50) and orgasm (r=.55). In women with HSDD, DHEA treatment had a significant beneficial effect on arousal, whereas no efficacy was demonstrated in men, indicating a possible gender difference. This improvement seems to be mediated via DHEA's metabolism to testosterone. Our positive results suggest that the neurosteroid DHEA may be effective as a treatment for women with HSDD if administered at a dose of at least 100 mg per day.
Department of Psychiatry, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. mikib@tasmc.health.gov.il
Miki
M
Bloch
Hadas
H
Meiboom
Inbar
I
Zaig
Shaul
S
Schreiber
Liora
L
Abramov
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000738:Androsterone / Q000652:urine; D001711:Biotransformation; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000652:urine; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000652:urine; D017698:Postmenopause; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D000738:Androsterone