Supplementation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in pre- and postmenopausal women — position statement of expert panel of Polish Menopause and Andropause Society

Abstract

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentration decreases with age, therefore, DHEA has been considered a hormone that reduces the symptoms associated with aging, so the usefulness of DHEA in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, and the options of hormone therapy have received a large amount of attention. The effectiveness of DHEA in the premenopausal women remains unclear, while in postmenopausal women with coexisting estrogens deficiency is controversial. Despite many years of study, the use of DHEA is still controversial, especially regarding its effectiveness. The aim of present article was to evaluate DHEA specific effects on metabolic parameters, bone mineral density, insulin resistance as well as the therapeutic potential of DHEA in pre-and postmenopausal women using measures of sexual activity, cognition and well-being. The summary of this article is the position statement of expert group of the Polish Menopause and Andropause Society regarding the efficacy and safety of DHEA supplementation in women. We concluded, that currently available clinical trials and meta-analyses indicate that DHEA supplementation is effective in women with adrenal insufficiency and chronically treated with exogenous glucocorticoids, postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density and/or osteoporosis, premenopausal women with sexual disorders and low libido, and in women with vulvovaginal atrophy due to menopause or genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Currently available clinical trials also suggest that DHEA supplementation is probably effective in postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual disorders, infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve, women suffering from depression and anxiety, and women with obesity and insulin resistance. No serious adverse effects have been reported.

Gender-Specific Impact of Sex Hormones on the Immune System

“…The in vivo administration of DHEA to postmenopausal women with adrenal androgen deficiency is shown to increase the circulating CD8 + /CD56 + NKs and decrease the CD4 + lymphocytes, also inhibiting the T cell mitogenic and IL-6 responses, the two principal exogenous signals that induce the proliferation and differentiation of T cells [ 59 ]. However, the most distinctive NK gender difference is evidenced by their role in pregnancy.…”

Notifications and Health Consequences of Unauthorized Pharmaceuticals in Food Supplements

“…There is a far higher danger to public health from the synthetic or designer steroids (such as recorded for methasterone, 4,6-androstadien-17-ol-3-one, 4,6-androstadien-3,17-dione, 5-androsten-17-ol-3-one, 4,9estradien-3,17-dione), because almost nothing is known about their pharmacology and the effects of long-term exposure. Clinical studies have shown that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplements, often at a dosage of 25 mg, have been beneficial in treating illnesses, including adrenal insufficiency, and providing hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women [92]. Nevertheless, the risks of using DHEA supplements are related to androgenic side effects, hirsutism, and acne, especially in cases of contraindicated use in patients with breast cancer or elderly women with heart problems [93].…”

Adrenarche-accompanied rise of adrenal sex steroid precursors prevents NAFLD in Young Female rats by converting into active androgens and inactivating hepatic Srebf1 signaling

“…Based on our results, it seems in females, the adrenal-derived sex steroid hormones play crucial roles in preventing NAFLD in childhood, and then transmitting to ovary-secreted estrogens [ 33 ] from puberty to menopause. After menopause, it has reported that, with the decline of both ovarian estrogens [ 33 , 34 ] and adrenal sex steroid precursors like DHEA [ 35 ], the incidence of NAFLD in women would be significantly increased. These results highlight the importance of sex steroid hormones secreted from both the adrenal glands and ovaries in protecting liver healthy in the life span of females.…”