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 .
Serum steroid levels during 12-week intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone administration
Objective : Because a previous 1-week study has shown no or minimal changes in the serum levels of dehydroepi and rosterone ( DHEA ) and its metabolites after up to daily 1.8 % ( 23.4 mg ) intravaginal DHEA , the objective of the present study was to investigate the serum steroid levels during a 12-week daily intravaginal administration of 0 % , 0.25 % , 0.5 % , and 1.0 % DHEA ( Prasterone ) 1.3 mL ovules . Methods : In a double-blind , placebo-controlled phase III study , 218 postmenopausal women ( age range , 42 - 74 y ) were r and omized to receive daily one of four DHEA concentrations intravaginally .  Serum steroids were measured by a Good Laboratory Practice -vali date d mass spectrometry technology in sample s obtained at time of visit . Results : The serum levels of DHEA and 11 of its metabolites measured at screening , day 1 , and weeks 2 , 4 , 8 , and 12 in women showed no or minimal changes during the whole observation period , with all values remaining well within the limits of normal postmenopausal women . No accumulation of the steroid metabolites nor change in DHEA bioavailability was detected . Conclusions : The present data show that local daily intravaginal DHEA administration at DHEA doses of 3.25 - 13 mg was able to rapidly and efficiently achieve correction of all the signs and symptoms of vaginal atrophy and improve sexual function and caused no or minimal changes in serum sex steroid levels , which all remain within the normal postmenopausal range , thus avoiding the risks of all estrogen formulations
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 .