A Randomized Trial of Oral DHEA Treatment for Sexual Function, Well-Being, and Menopausal Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women with Low Libido
July 2009
in “
The Journal of Sexual Medicine
”
TLDR DHEA did not improve sexual function, well-being, or menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women with low libido but caused side effects like acne and increased facial hair.
In a study from 14 years ago, 89 postmenopausal women with low libido were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of 50 mg/day DHEA treatment on sexual function, well-being, and menopausal symptoms. The study, which lasted 26 weeks, found no significant improvements in sexual function, well-being, or menopausal symptoms with DHEA treatment compared to placebo, despite DHEA successfully increasing androgen levels. The treatment also led to androgenic adverse events such as acne and increased facial hair in the DHEA group. The study concluded that restoring hormone levels alone with DHEA might not be sufficient to improve these outcomes in postmenopausal women with low libido.