title: DHEA replacement for postmenopausal women: have we been looking in the right direction?
abstract: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate represent the most abundant sex steroid in humans. In addition to age-related reduction, serum DHEA shows large interindividual variability. Although cross-sectional studies suggest that lower levels are associated with cardiovascular, cognitive and sexual impairment in women, clinical trials of oral DHEA replacement have failed to show benefits. However, current evidence is too imprecise to draw definite conclusions.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Pisa , Italy.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Genazzani
authors.affiliation: b * Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Geneva , Switzerland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pluchino
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone
keywords: DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE; DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE; HORMONE THERAPY; POSTMENOPAUSE