DHEA

“DHEA production decreases as people grow older, but the significance of this change, including whether it affects aging and menopause symptoms, is unclear”.1

Umbrella
What may the DHEA Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
  • Prasterone

Definition

What is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)?

DotS the definition of DHEA may vary. The (United States) National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health’s (NCCIH) definition is:

  • “Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a substance that’s naturally made in the body, where it’s converted into the hormones testosterone and estrogen”.2

Dietary Supplement

Is DHEA available as a dietary supplement?

DotC (Depending on the Country) DHEA may be available as a dietary supplement. In Healthy Aging: In-Depth – DHEA: Evidence for Anti-Aging Claims Is Weak – What Is DHEA? the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“A synthetic version of DHEA is available in pill form. It’s sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Studies have shown quality control of this supplement to often be low”.3

Aging

Is there an association between aging and DHEA?

In Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Natural Products – DHEA the NCCIH elaborate on:

“DHEA production decreases as people grow older, but the significance of this change, including whether it affects aging and menopause symptoms, is unclear”.4

In DHEA: Evidence the Mayo Clinic also note:

  • “Aging. In theory, taking DHEA supplements to maintain DHEA levels could slow the aging process, possibly improving well-being, cognitive function and body composition. But so far research hasn’t proved this to be true. More studies are needed to better understand whether DHEA supplementation can counteract some of the effects of aging. A small study suggested that taking DHEA supplements might improve skin hydration and firmness, and decrease aging spots in elderly adults”.5

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and DHEA?

In Hormone Therapy Help Desk: ET, EPT, and More – Androgens the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“Often called “male hormones,” androgens are also produced in the female body as testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), among others, but in much lower quantities than in men. Insufficient androgen levels at any age are thought to contribute to fatigue, mood changes, and lowered sex drive. There is no dramatic change in androgen levels at menopause; androgen production seems to be affected more by aging, although women who have their ovaries removed (surgical menopause) sometimes experience a sharper drop in their levels of testosterone. Interestingly, testosterone has been found to increase again in older women”.6

Menopause Symptoms

How effective is DHEA for the treatment of menopause symptoms?

The NCCIH note:

  • “It’s uncertain whether DHEA is useful in treating menopause symptoms”.7

The Mayo Clinic also note:

“Limited research suggests that DHEA might improve vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women and that the supplement might improve bone mineral density in elderly people with low DHEA. But improvements in bone density were small compared with those seen after treatment with approved osteoporosis medications. Research on the effects of DHEA on well-being and body composition has had mixed results, and most studies indicate no effect of DHEA on cognitive function or on muscle size or strength”.8

Vaginal Atrophy

How effective is DHEA for the treatment of vaginal atrophy?

On page two in Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options – Other Prescription Therapies the NAMS explain:

  • “Dehydroepiandrasterone (DHEA) is a hormone-containing insert placed into the vagina nightly for the treatment of painful intercourse caused by vaginal atrophy. Although DHEA can be converted in the body to other hormones, including estrogen, blood levels of hormones do not appear to increase with vaginal use of low-dose DHEA”.9

In DHEA: How Effective Is It? the (United States) MedlinePlus note the effectiveness rating is:

“Likely Effective for…

  • Thinning of vaginal tissue (vaginal atrophy). The walls of the vagina can become thinner after menopause. This can cause pain during sex. Using vaginal inserts containing DHEA can reduce pain during sex by up to 15% after menopause. A prescription DHEA product is available for this condition”.10

Changes

In women, what changes may result from choosing to use DHEA?

In Anti-Aging Hormones: What Are the Risks of Taking DHEA Without A Doctor’s Advice? the (United States) Hormone Health Network (HHN) note:

DHEA“In women, DHEA can cause change related to an increase in testosterone: irregular menstrual periods, increased facial hair, increased sweating, smaller breasts, and a deeper voice”.11

Safe or Not

Are DHEA supplements safe?

According to the NCCIH:

  • “The long-term safety of taking DHEA supplements is unknown. Some evidence suggests that even short-term use of these supplements may have harmful effects, including liver damage”.12

In DHEA: Safety and Side Effects the Mayo Clinic explain the safety and side effects of DHEA and elaborate on possible drug interactions.

Health Care Provider

What if I choose to use DHEA supplements?

If you choose to use DHEA supplements it may be in your best interest to also choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The HHN explain:

“Some side effects disappear when DHEA is stopped, but it is not yet clear if other side effects might be permanent. The FDA does not monitor the quality of DHEA supplements, so they may vary widely in terms of how much actual DHEA is in them. As with human growth hormone, DHEA supplements can be dangerous or ineffective”.13

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to DHEA?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to DHEA?

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Links

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  1. Consumer Health: Treating Vaginal Dryness After Menopause
  2. Current Treatment Options for Postmenopausal Vaginal Atrophy
  3. DHEA
  4. DHEA
  5. DHEA: Safety and Side Effects
  6. Dehydroepiandrosterone
  7. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
  8. Dehydroepiandrosterone for Women In the Peri- or Postmenopausal Phase
  9. Despite Effectiveness Women Remain Skeptical of Hormones At Menopause—What’s the Problem?
  10. Dietary Supplements
  11. Dietary Supplements: What You Need To Know
  12. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  13. Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need To Know
  14. FDA 101: Dietary Supplements
  15. FDA Approves Intrarosa for Postmenopausal Women Experiencing Pain During Sex [Food and Drug Administration, United States] [Generic Name: Prasterone]
  16. FDA Approves Intrarosa for Sexual Symptoms of Menopause
  17. Healthy Aging: In-Depth – DHEA: Evidence for Anti-Aging Claims Is Weak
  18. Hormone Help Desk: ET, EPT, and More
  19. How do I deal with vaginal atrophy? — Ask Dr Jean
  20. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  21. Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements
  22. Intercourse Was Becoming Painful – Ask Dr Jean
  23. Is It Really ‘FDA Approved?’
  24. Is Testosterone the Answer To Low Libido?
  25. Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
  26. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  27. May Is National Osteoporosis Month
  28. Mayo Clinic Minute: Lifestyle Changes To Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  29. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Dietary Supplements Useful In Some Situations, But Also Can Be Harmful
  30. Menopause
  31. Menopause
  32. Menopause
  33. Menopause & Herbs
  34. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms
  35. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. How can I counteract vaginal dryness during menopause?
  36. Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause
  37. Menopause Treatment
  38. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  39. Menopause – How Will It Affect My Health? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  40. Menopause – Will It Affect My Sex Life? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  41. Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause
  42. Menopause: Changes In the Body and Keeping Healthy [Video Interview Stories]
  43. Menopause: Getting Older [Video Interview Stories]
  44. Menopause: Libido, Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Problems and the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  45. Menopause: Medicines To Help You
  46. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
  47. Menopause: Overview [Video Interview Stories]
  48. Mixing Medications and Dietary Supplements Can Endanger Your Health
  49. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices
  50. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 5 Tips: What Consumers Need To Know About Dietary Supplements
  51. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Are You Considering A Complementary Health Approach?
  52. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Dietary and Herbal Supplements
  53. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  54. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  55. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth: What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopausal Symptoms – Natural Products: DHEA
  56. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  57. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Safe Use of Complementary Health Products and Practices
  58. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Soy
  59. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Tips on Complementary Health Practices
  60. Natural Remedies To Help Manage Perimenopause Symptoms
  61. Natural Therapies & Supplements
  62. Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets
  63. Prasterone Vaginal
  64. Prescribing Testosterone and DHEA: The Role of Androgens In Women
  65. Safety of Natural Therapies
  66. Sex & Sexual Health: Libido
  67. Supplementation of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) In Pre-and Postmenopausal Women – Position Statement of Expert Panel of Polish Menopause and Andropause Society
  68. Testosterone Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  69. The 2020 Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society
  70. The Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: An Overview of the Recent Data
  71. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  72. Urogenital Problems: Vaginal Atrophy: Vaginal Dryness, Soreness and Painful Sex
  73. Vaginal Atrophy
  74. Vaginal Dehydroepiandrosterone Compared To Other Methods of Treating Vaginal and Vulvar Atrophy Associated With Menopause
  75. Vaginal Dryness
  76. Vaginal Dryness
  77. Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It?
  78. Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It? I’m postmenopausal and often have vaginal dryness, which makes intercourse painful. Is there anything I can do about it?
  79. Vaginal Dryness Alternative Treatments
  80. Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options – Other Prescription Therapies – Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
  81. Video Series-2019 – Talking To Your Clinician About Sexual Health Concerns
  82. Video Series-2020 – Bone Health What You Need To Know
  83. Video Series-2021 – Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
  84. Video Series-2021 – How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
  85. Video Series-2021 – Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  86. Video Series-2021 – What Women Need To Know About Hormone Therapies
  87. Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
  88. Webinars: Other Webinars – What To Offer for Vasomotor Symptoms When MHT Is Contraindicated [Menopausal Hormone Therapy]
  89. Wild Yam
  90. Will Menopause Affect My Sex Life? [+ Video]
  91. DHEAWomen Can Breathe Sigh of Relief When Using Vaginal Estrogen To Treat Menopause Symptoms
  92. Women’s Wellness: Painful Sex After Menopause – DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am in my late 50s and have recently found that sex is becoming quite uncomfortable. I am assuming this is because I’m past menopause, but what’s the best way to make sex less painful?
  93. Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems
  94. World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2018 – Patient Information Leaflet: Sexual Wellbeing After Menopause [Multiply Languages]
  95. World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2019 – Patient Information Leaflet: Testosterone for Women At Midlife [Multiply Languages]
  96. Your Sexual Health

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Natural Products – DHEA. Last Updated: May 2017. National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/menopausal-symptoms-in-depth Accessed: 09 August 2021
  2. Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Natural Products – DHEA. Last Updated: May 2017. National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/menopausal-symptoms-in-depth Accessed: 09 August 2021
  3. Healthy Aging: In-Depth – DHEA: Evidence for Anti-Aging Claims Is Weak – What Is DHEA? 27 February 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/dhea/art-20045605 Accessed: 09 August 2021
  4. Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Natural Products – DHEA. Last Updated: May 2017. National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/menopausal-symptoms-in-depth Accessed: 09 August 2021
  5. DHEA: Evidence. 12 February 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-dhea/art-20364199 Accessed: 09 August 2021
  6. Hormone Therapy Help Desk: ET, EPT, and More – Androgens. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/hormone-help-desk-et-ept-and-more Accessed: 09 August 2021
  7. Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Natural Products – DHEA. Last Updated: May 2017. National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/menopausal-symptoms-in-depth Accessed: 09 August 2021
  8. Healthy Aging: In-Depth – DHEA: Evidence for Anti-Aging Claims Is Weak – What Does DHEA Have To Do With Aging? 27 February 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/art-20045605 Accessed: 09 August 2021
  9. Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options – Other Prescription Therapies. 2018:2. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/for-women/mn-vaginal-dryness.pdf Accessed: 09 August 2021
  10. DHEA: How Effective Is It? Last Reviewed: 16 March 2021. Page Last Updated: 29 June 2021. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/331.html Accessed: 09 August 2021
  11. Anti-Aging Hormones: What Are the Risks of Taking DHEA Without A Doctor’s Advice? Last Updated: December 2018. Hormone Health Network https://www.hormone.org/hormones-and-health/steroid-and-hormone-abuse/anti-aging-hormones Accessed: 09 August 2021
  12. Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Natural Products – DHEA. Last Updated: May 2017. National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/menopausal-symptoms-in-depth Accessed: 09 August 2021
  13. Anti-Aging Hormones: What Are the Risks of Taking DHEA Without A Doctor’s Advice? Last Updated: December 2018. Hormone Health Network https://www.hormone.org/hormones-and-health/steroid-and-hormone-abuse/anti-aging-hormones Accessed: 09 August 2021

Topic Last Updated: 09 August 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 09 August 2021
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