Dehydroepiandrosterone for women in the peri- or postmenopausal phase
Scheffers CS, Armstrong S, Cantineau AE, Farquhar C, Jordan V
Published in Cochrane Database Syst Rev, Vol. 1 (1), pp. CD011066
Methodology
Cochrane systematic review of randomised controlled trials of DHEA by any route versus placebo, hormone therapy or no treatment in peri- and postmenopausal women; 28 trials (1,273 women), 16 pooled.
Key Findings
DHEA did not improve quality of life (SMD 0.16, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.34). Sexual function improved slightly versus placebo (SMD 0.31, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.55; 5 studies, 261 women). Oral DHEA alone showed no significant effect on sexual function (SMD 0.11, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.35); one intravaginal trial did (SMD 0.42). Androgenic side effects, mainly acne, were more common (OR 3.77).
Conclusions
No evidence that DHEA improves quality of life; it may slightly improve sexual function compared with placebo, and it causes androgenic side effects.
Limitations
Moderate to low quality trials; the overall sexual-function signal leans on one intravaginal trial, and the oral-only subgroup was null.
Supplements Studied
DHEA may slightly improve sexual function compared with placebo
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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