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 .
The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on lumbar spine bone mineral density in patients with quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE Because dehydroepi and rosterone ( DHEA ) is an adrenal steroid hormone with weak intrinsic and rogenic properties that can be converted in peripheral tissues into more potent sex hormones , one might expect a positive effect of DHEA on bone mineral density ( BMD ) . We evaluated the effects on lumbar BMD of oral DHEA , 200 mg/day , for 1 year in female patients with quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE ) . METHODS The study subjects were 60 women with SLE . All participants gave informed consent to participate in a double-blind , placebo-controlled study on the effects of DHEA on fatigue and general well-being . BMD was measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry ( DEXA ) at baseline and after 12 months . RESULTS Fifty-eight patients ( mean age 42.6 years ) could be evaluated ; 2 patients ( both in the DHEA group ) refused to undergo DEXA a second time . In premenopausal women , DHEA did not influence BMD significantly . There was a significant increase in BMD with use of DHEA in postmenopausal women who were not receiving bisphosphonates or estrogen-containing medications . This increase was not observed in the group receiving placebo . CONCLUSION In premenopausal women with quiescent SLE , use of DHEA does not have a significant effect on BMD .  DHEA may increase BMD in postmenopausal SLE patients if they are not already protected from bone loss by use of estrogens or bisphosphonates . Small numbers , due to the absence of stratification for menopausal status , and the use of antiresorptive agents at r and omization preclude firmer conclusions based on the results of this study
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 .