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 .
Pangenomic changes induced by DHEA in the skin of postmenopausal women
The objective of this study was to explore , for the first time , the changes in the pangenomic profile induced in human skin in women treated with dehydroepi and rosterone ( DHEA ) applied locally . Sixty postmenopausal women participated in this phase II prospect i ve , r and omized , double-blind and placebo-controlled  study . Women were r and omized to the twice daily local application of 0 % ( placebo ) , 0.3 % , 1 % or 2 % DHEA cream . Changes in the pangenomic expression profile were studied using Affymetrix Genechips . Significant changes ( p<0.05 ) in sixty-six  DHEA-responsive probe sets corresponding to 52 well-characterized genes and 9 unknown gene sequences were identified . A dose-dependent increase in the expression of several members of the collagen family was observed , namely COL1 , COL3 and COL5 as well as the concomitant modulation of SPARC , a gene required for the normal deposition and maturation of collagen fibrils in the dermis . Several genes involved in the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes were also modulated . In addition , topical DHEA reduced the expression of genes associated with the terminal differentiation and cornification of keratinocytes . Our results strongly suggest the possibility that DHEA could exert an anti-aging effect in the skin through stimulation of collagen bio synthesis , improved structural organization of the dermis while modulating keratinocyte metabolism
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 .