There is no evidence that DHEA  improves quality of life but there is some evidence that it is associated with and rogenic side effects .
There is uncertainty whether DHEA decreases menopausal symptoms , but DHEA may slightly improve sexual function compared with placebo
BACKGROUND During menopause a decreasing ovarian follicular response generally causes a fluctuation and eventual decrease in estrogen levels .
This can lead to the development of various perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms ( for example hot flushes , night sweats , vaginal dryness ) .
Dehydroepi and rosterone ( DHEA ) is one of the main precursors of and rogens , which in turn are converted to testosterone and estrogens .
It is possible that the administration of DHEA may increase estrogen and testosterone levels in peri- and postmenopausal women to alleviate their symptoms and improve general wellbeing and sexual function ( for example libido , dyspareunia , satisfaction ) .
Treatment with DHEA is controversial as there is uncertainty about its effectiveness and safety .
This review should clearly outline the evidence for DHEA in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and evaluate its effectiveness and safety by combining the results of r and omised controlled trials .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness and safety of administering DHEA to women with menopausal symptoms in the peri- or postmenopausal phase .
Delivery of dehydroepiandrosterone to premenopausal women: effects of micronization and nonoral administration.
OBJECTIVES This single-dose study compares three dehydroepi and rosterone delivery methods  ( oral crystalline steroid , micronized steroid , and vaginal administration ) to ascertain whether physiologic levels of circulating dehydroepi and rosterone and dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate can be obtained while increases in testosterone are minimized . STUDY DESIGN Two r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled single-dose comparisons were made . For oral micronized versus crystalline dehydroepi and rosterone 300 mg doses of micronized or crystalline dehydroepi and rosterone were administered , followed by 6 hours of blood sampling ( n=7 ) . Serum dehydroepi and rosterone , dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate , and testosterone levels were measured ; areas under the curve and mean peak values were analyzed by Student-Newman-Keuls tests . For oral versus vaginal micronized dehydroepi and rosterone 150 mg oral or vaginal doses of micronized dehydroepi and rosterone were administered , followed by blood sampling over 12 hours ( n=5 ) . Data analysis was as described . RESULTS Oral micronized and unmicronized dehydroepi and rosterone result ed in increases in serum dehydroepi and rosterone , dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate , and testosterone . Micronization increased the area-under-the-curve ratios for dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate/dehydroepi and rosterone and dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate/testosterone . Vaginal administration provided equivalent serum dehydroepi and rosterone ; however , it failed to increase dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate or testosterone over placebo . CONCLUSION Micronization of oral dehydroepi and rosterone diminishes bioconversion to testosterone . Vaginal dehydroepi and rosterone delivers equivalent dehydroepi and rosterone but substantially diminishes dehydroepi and rosterone bioconversion
There is no evidence that DHEA  improves quality of life but there is some evidence that it is associated with and rogenic side effects .
There is uncertainty whether DHEA decreases menopausal symptoms , but DHEA may slightly improve sexual function compared with placebo
BACKGROUND During menopause a decreasing ovarian follicular response generally causes a fluctuation and eventual decrease in estrogen levels .
This can lead to the development of various perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms ( for example hot flushes , night sweats , vaginal dryness ) .
Dehydroepi and rosterone ( DHEA ) is one of the main precursors of and rogens , which in turn are converted to testosterone and estrogens .
It is possible that the administration of DHEA may increase estrogen and testosterone levels in peri- and postmenopausal women to alleviate their symptoms and improve general wellbeing and sexual function ( for example libido , dyspareunia , satisfaction ) .
Treatment with DHEA is controversial as there is uncertainty about its effectiveness and safety .
This review should clearly outline the evidence for DHEA in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and evaluate its effectiveness and safety by combining the results of r and omised controlled trials .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness and safety of administering DHEA to women with menopausal symptoms in the peri- or postmenopausal phase .