Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone produced by humans. It functions as a metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of the androgen and estrogen sex steroids. In a recent study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), researchers reported that DHEA treatment was associated with improvements in sexual function in premenopausal, infertile women with poor sexual function.
The researchers were cautious in reporting these findings, indicating that the effects were modest and that the women included in this study were not formally diagnosed with a female sexual dysfunction disorder but rather were reproductive aged women with infertility and poor sexual function.
Other studies have shown that DHEA may improve sexual functioning in certain populations; however, the potential value of DHEA therapy for poor sexual functioning in women requires further study in larger, placebo-controlled trials.
Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD
Read More:
DHEA Improves Sexual Function in Some Premenopausal Women (Medscape)