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 .
Effect of intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (Prasterone) on libido and sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women
Objective : The objective of this study was to provide evidence that the transformation of DHEA into both and rogens and /or estrogens locally in cells of the three layers of the vagina ( epithelium , lamina propria , and muscularis ) would have effects of greater impact , including effects on sexual function , than only effects on superficial epithelial cells as achieved with estrogens . Methods : This prospect i ve , r and omized , double-blind , and placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial has evaluated the effect of daily local intravaginal application of Prasterone ( dehydroepi and rosterone ; DHEA ) for 12 weeks on the domains of sexual dysfunction , namely , desire/interest , arousal , orgasm , and pain at sexual activity , in 216 postmenopausal women with moderate to severe symptoms of vaginal atrophy . Results : A time- and dose-dependent improvement of the four domains of sexual function was observed . At the 12-week time interval , the 1.0 % DHEA dose led , compared with placebo , to 49 % ( P = 0.0061 ) and 23 % ( P = 0.0257 ) improvements of the desire domains in the Menopause Specific Quality of Life and Abbreviated Sex Function question naires , respectively . Compared with placebo , the Abbreviated Sex Function arousal/sensation domain was improved by 68 % ( P = 0.006 ) , the arousal/lubrication domain by 39 % ( P = 0.0014 ) , orgasm by 75 % ( P = 0.047 ) , and dryness during intercourse by 57 % ( P = 0.0001 ) . Conclusions : By a local action in the vagina , DHEA applied daily at doses at which serum steroids remain well within normal postmenopausal values exerts relatively potent beneficial effects on all four aspects of sexual dysfunction . Such data indicate that combined and rogenic/estrogenic stimulation in the three layers of the vagina exerts important beneficial effects on sexual function in women without systemic action on the brain and other extravaginal tissues
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 .