Intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Lemos MJ, Queiroz LF, Diniz AF, Longo da Silva CM, Dos Santos PL, de Oliveira Gomide P, et al.
Published in Menopause, Vol. 33 (7), pp. 852-858
Methodology
Systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of intravaginal DHEA in postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy, searched to July 2025; six reports of five unique trials, 1,611 women.
Key Findings
Against placebo, intravaginal DHEA improved vaginal dryness (mean difference -0.23, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.11) and pain during sex (mean difference -0.40, 95% CI -0.66 to -0.15). Adverse effects were mild and infrequent, with low to moderate heterogeneity.
Conclusions
Intravaginal DHEA significantly improves vulvovaginal symptoms, particularly dryness and dyspareunia, in postmenopausal women.
Limitations
Only five unique trials, most from the same development programme; short follow-up; pooled differences on symptom scales are small in absolute terms.
Supplements Studied
Intravaginal DHEA significantly improves vulvovaginal symptoms
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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