DHEA replacement for postmenopausal women: placebo or panacea?
In adults, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant steroid found in serum and its levels fall with age. It can be converted into androgens and estrogens by peripheral tissues. Thus it may be considered to be a pro-hormone. Many websites are promoting oral DHEA as an anti-aging tonic and in some countries it is sold as a supplement. Recent clinical trials of oral DHEA and reviews of those trials have failed to show any health benefits for postmenopausal women. However, there may be a role for vaginal DHEA.
Associate Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology, University of New South Wales ; Director, Women's Health and Research Institute of Australia ; Head, Barbara Gross Research Unit, Royal Hospital for Women , Sydney , Australia.
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Eden
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015990:Placebo Effect; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy
D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone
DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE; DHEA; MENOPAUSE; SEXUAL FUNCTION; TRIAL