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:

DHEA“Manufactured versions of DHEA are available as a tablet, capsule and powder, as well as in creams and gels placed on the skin. DHEA is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Studies have shown quality control of the 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 the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“Androgens – – 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). 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

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”.11

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 Mayo Clinic note:

“If you’re considering taking DHEA, get the facts. Research doesn’t necessarily support the supplement’s anti-aging claims”.12

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?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. Adrenal Hormones: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
  2. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  3. Consumer Health: Treating Vaginal Dryness After Menopause
  4. DHEA
  5. DHEA
  6. DHEA: Safety and Side Effects
  7. Dehydroepiandrosterone
  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. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  12. Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need To Know
  13. FDA 101: Dietary Supplements
  14. FDA Approves Intrarosa for Postmenopausal Women Experiencing Pain During Sex [Food and Drug Administration, United States] [Generic Name: Prasterone]
  15. FDA Approves Intrarosa for Sexual Symptoms of Menopause
  16. Healthy Aging: In-Depth – DHEA: Evidence for Anti-Aging Claims Is Weak
  17. How Do I Deal With Vaginal Atrophy? — Ask Dr Jean
  18. Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements
  19. Is It Really ‘FDA Approved?’
  20. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  21. Lack of Evidence Supporting DHEA for Improved Overall Health for Women
  22. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
  23. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing and Intimacy During and After Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
  24. Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
  25. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  26. May Is National Osteoporosis Month
  27. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  28. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Dietary Supplements Useful In Some Situations, But Also Can Be Harmful
  29. Menopause
  30. Menopause
  31. Menopause
  32. Menopause & Herbs
  33. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms
  34. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. How Can I Counteract Vaginal Dryness During Menopause?
  35. Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause
  36. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  37. Menopause Patient Information [Videos: 5]
  38. Menopause Patient Information: 5. Lifestyle Advice In Menopause & Perimenopause [Video]
  39. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  40. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: What Is Menopause?
  41. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  42. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  43. Menopause, Wellbeing and Health: A Care Pathway From the European Menopause and Andropause Society
  44. Menopause: How Will It Affect My Health? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  45. Menopause: Medicines To Help You
  46. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
  47. Mixing Medications and Dietary Supplements Can Endanger Your Health
  48. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices
  49. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 5 Tips: What Consumers Need To Know About Dietary Supplements
  50. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Are You Considering A Complementary Health Approach?
  51. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Dietary and Herbal Supplements
  52. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  53. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  54. 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
  55. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  56. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Safe Use of Complementary Health Products and Practices
  57. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Soy
  58. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Tips on Complementary Health Practices
  59. Natural Remedies To Help Manage Perimenopause Symptoms
  60. Natural Therapies & Supplements
  61. Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets
  62. Optimising the Menopause Transition: Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  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. Supplements for Menopause Symptoms: Are They Safe?
  69. Testosterone Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  70. The 2020 Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society
  71. The Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: An Overview of the Recent Data
  72. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  73. Urogenital Problems: Vaginal Atrophy: Vaginal Dryness, Soreness and Painful Sex
  74. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  75. Vaginal Atrophy
  76. Vaginal Dehydroepiandrosterone Compared To Other Methods of Treating Vaginal and Vulvar Atrophy Associated With Menopause
  77. Vaginal Dryness
  78. Vaginal Dryness
  79. Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It?
  80. 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?
  81. Vaginal Dryness Alternative Treatments
  82. Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options – Other Prescription Therapies – Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
  83. Video Series-2021: How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
  84. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  85. Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
  86. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  87. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Is Testosterone the Answer To Low Libido?
  88. Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
  89. Videos and Podcasts: World Menopause Day 2021 – Interviews: Bone Health
  90. Videos and Podcasts: World Menopause Day 2021 – Interviews: Bone Health What Why and How
  91. Videos and Podcasts: World Menopause Day 2022 – Interviews: How To Protect Your Brain Health At Menopause and Beyond
  92. Videos and Podcasts: World Menopause Day 2022 – Interviews: What Women Should Know About Menopause and Brain Fog – For WOMEN
  93. Webinars: Previous – Osteoporosis for Midlife Women and Beyond
  94. Webinars: Previous – Update on Bone Health
  95. Wild Yam
  96. Will Menopause Affect My Sex Life? [+ Video]
  97. Women Can Breathe Sigh of Relief When Using Vaginal Estrogen To Treat Menopause Symptoms
  98. 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?
  99. Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems
  100. 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: 31 October 2022
  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: 31 October 2022
  3. Healthy Aging: In-Depth – DHEA: Evidence for Anti-Aging Claims Is Weak – What Is DHEA? 11 October 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/dhea/art-20045605 Accessed: 31 October 2022
  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: 31 October 2022
  5. DHEA: Evidence. 12 February 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-dhea/art-20364199 Accessed: 31 October 2022
  6. Hormone Therapy Help Desk: ET, EPT, and More. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/hormone-help-desk-et-ept-and-more Accessed: 31 October 2022
  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: 31 October 2022
  8. Healthy Aging: In-Depth – DHEA: Evidence for Anti-Aging Claims Is Weak – What Does DHEA Have To Do With Aging? 11 October 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/art-20045605 Accessed: 31 October 2022
  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: 31 October 2022
  10. DHEA: How Effective Is It? Last Reviewed: 02 April 2022. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/331.html Accessed: 31 October 2022
  11. 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: 31 October 2022
  12. DHEA: Evidence. 12 February 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-dhea/art-20364199 Accessed: 31 October 2022
Topic Last Updated: 31 October 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 31 October 2022

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