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 .
Postmenopausal dehydroepiandrosterone administration increases free insulin-like growth factor-I and decreases high-density lipoprotein: a six-month trial.
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of administering 6 months of oral postmenopausal DHEA therapy on serum DHEA , DHEAS , and T levels and on physiologic endpoints including lipoproteins and insulin-like growth factor-I ( IGF-I ) . DESIGN R and omized , double-blind , parallel trial . SETTING Academic referral practice . PATIENT(S ) Thirteen normal-weight or overweight , healthy , nonsmoking , postmenopausal women . INTERVENTION(S ) Administration of oral micronized DHEA ( 25 mg/d ) . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S ) Monthly fasting 23 hours postdose levels of serum DHEA , DHEAS , T , lipoproteins , IGF-I , IGF binding protein-3 ( IGFBP-3 ) , and liver function tests . Morphometric indices by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan ( percent body fat ; lean body mass ) , immune indices , and insulin sensitivity . RESULT ( S ) Levels of DHEA , DHEAS , and T all rose into premenopausal ranges , but after 6 months , levels of DHEA and T did not differ from baseline or placebo . At 3 months , the ratio of IGF-I to IGFBP-3 rose by 36.1 % + /- 12.7 % , but it fell to placebo values by 6 months . High-density lipoprotein and apolipoprotein A1 levels declined . CONCLUSION ( S ) Patients appeared to tolerate 6 months of DHEA therapy well . Given the small study size , no statistically significant differences in morphometric indices , immune indices , or insulin-sensitizing properties were observed , but significant attenuation of bioavailability occurred . Supplementation with DHEA increased IGF-I/IGFBP-3 levels at 3 months and decreased high-density lipoprotein and apolipoprotein A1 levels at 6 months
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 .