“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:
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:
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 research hasn’t proved this to be true”.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:
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:
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:
- 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% in women 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:

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:
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to DHEA?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
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.- Bone Talk: 35 Ways To Stay Bone Strong
- Current Treatment Options for Postmenopausal Vaginal Atrophy
- DHEA
- DHEA
- DHEA: Safety and Side Effects
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
- Dehydroepiandrosterone for Women In the Peri- or Postmenopausal Phase
- Despite Effectiveness Women Remain Skeptical of Hormones At Menopause—What’s the Problem?
- Dietary Supplements
- Dietary Supplements: What You Need To Know
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
- Everything You Wanted To Know About Painful Sex… But Were Too Embarrassed To Ask
- Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need To Know
- FDA 101: Dietary Supplements
- FDA Approves Intrarosa for Postmenopausal Women Experiencing Pain During Sex [Food and Drug Administration, United States] [Generic Name: Prasterone]
- FDA Approves Intrarosa for Sexual Symptoms of Menopause
- Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – Vaginal Estrogen Therapy
- Healthy Aging: In-Depth – DHEA: Evidence for Anti-Aging Claims Is Weak
- Hormone Help Desk: ET, EPT, and More
- Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
- Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements
- Intercourse Was Becoming Painful – Ask Dr Jean
- Is It Really ‘FDA Approved?’
- Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
- Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
- Managing Menopause: Don’t Let Symptoms of Menopause Reduce Your Quality of Life
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Dietary Supplements Useful In Some Situations, But Also Can Be Harmful
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause & Herbs
- Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms
- Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. How can I counteract vaginal dryness during menopause?
- Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause
- Menopause Treatment
- Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
- Menopause and Sexuality
- Menopause and Women’s Health In Later Life
- Menopause and Your Health
- Menopause – How Will It Affect My Health? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – Will It Affect My Sex Life? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause
- Menopause: Changes In the Body and Keeping Healthy [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Getting Older [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Libido, Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Problems and the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Medicines To Help You
- Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
- Menopause: Overview [Video Interview Stories]
- Mixing Medications and Dietary Supplements Can Endanger Your Health
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 5 Tips: What Consumers Need To Know About Dietary Supplements
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Are You Considering A Complementary Health Approach?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Dietary and Herbal Supplements
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- 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
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Safe Use of Complementary Health Products and Practices
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Soy
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Tips on Complementary Health Practices
- Natural Therapies & Supplements
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets
- Prasterone Vaginal
- Prescribing Testosterone and DHEA: The Role of Androgens In Women
- Recent Review Confirms Safety of Low Dose Vaginal Estrogen: July 2019
- Safety of Natural Therapies
- Supplementation of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) In Pre-and Postmenopausal Women – Position Statement of Expert Panel of Polish Menopause and Andropause Society
- Testosterone Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Urogenital Problems: Vaginal Atrophy: Vaginal Dryness, Soreness and Painful Sex
- Vaginal Dehydroepiandrosterone Compared To Other Methods of Treating Vaginal and Vulvar Atrophy Associated With Menopause
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It?
- 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?
- Vaginal Dryness Alternative Treatments
- Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options – Other Prescription Therapies – Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
- Video Series-2018 – Moisturizers, Lubricants, and Prasterone
- Video Series-2019 – Physical Therapy In the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction
- Video Series-2019 – Talking To Your Clinician About Sexual Health Concerns
- Video Series-2020 – Bone Health What You Need To Know
- Video Series-2021 – What Women Need To Know About Hormone Therapies
- Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
- Wild Yam
- Will Menopause Affect My Sex Life? [+ Video]
Women Can Breathe Sigh of Relief When Using Vaginal Estrogen To Treat Menopause Symptoms
- 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?
- Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems
- World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2018 – Patient Information Leaflet: Sexual Wellbeing After Menopause [Multiply Languages]
- World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2019 – Patient Information Leaflet: Testosterone for Women At Midlife [Multiply Languages]
- Your Sexual Health
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- 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: 07 February 2021
- 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: 07 February 2021
- Healthy Aging: In-Depth – DHEA: Evidence for Anti-Aging Claims Is Weak – What Is DHEA? 05 October 2017. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/dhea/art-20045605 Accessed: 07 February 2021
- 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: 07 February 2021
- DHEA: Evidence. 14 December 2017. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-dhea/art-20364199 Accessed: 07 February 2021
- 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: 07 February 2021
- 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: 07 February 2021
- Healthy Aging: In-Depth – DHEA: Evidence for Anti-Aging Claims Is Weak – What Does DHEA Have To Do With Aging? 05 October 2017. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/art-20045605 Accessed: 07 February 2021
- 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: 07 February 2021
- DHEA: How Effective Is It? Last Reviewed: 18 September 2020. Page Last Updated: 29 January 2021. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/331.html Accessed: 07 February 2021
- 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: 07 February 2021
- 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: 07 February 2021
- 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: 07 February 2021