Dehydroepiandrosterone in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study
Reiter WJ, et al.
Published in Urology
Methodology
Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled parallel trial; 50 mg oral DHEA once daily for 6 months; outcome measured with the 15-item IIEF questionnaire.
Key Findings
In 40 men with erectile dysfunction and low DHEA-sulfate (<1.5 micromol/L), 50 mg oral DHEA daily for 6 months was associated with higher mean scores across all five domains of the International Index of Erectile Function compared with placebo (20 per arm). DHEA had no effect on mean serum PSA, prolactin or testosterone, nor on prostate volume or postvoid residual urine. The authors describe the effect as a biologically obvious trend rather than a statistically demonstrated benefit.
Conclusions
Oral DHEA treatment may be of benefit in the treatment of ED, although the sample was too small for relevant statistical analysis.
Limitations
Very small sample (20 per arm) that the authors state was too small for relevant statistical analysis; enrolled only men with low baseline DHEA-S and no organic cause, limiting generalisability.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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