DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone is produced by the adrenal cortex. As we age we have a loss of our daily rhythm due to decreased levels of DHEA. As our DHEA levels are decreased our Cortisol levels become unbalanced and this can lead to anxiety and memory loss. DHEA is also a glucocorticoid antagonist and helps to prevent excessive inflammation.
Under normal, healthy conditions, cortisol is released to stress and DHEA acts to counter-balance it. Low levels of DHEA on a saliva test tell us that a patient has been living with stress. Without DHEA, long term elevated cortisol levels would wreak havoc on the body. As a stress buffering mechanism, DHEA directly binds to receptors in the brain and promotes a sense of relaxation and decreased pain. DHEA also supports insulin sensitivity, maintains tissue strength and repair, boosts immune system, and promotes a sense of well-being.
In menopause, estrogen and testosterone levels can be lower than normal along with a decrease in DHEA levels. These decreases in estrogen can lead to vaginal dryness, irritation/itching, and vaginal pain associated with sexual activity, while decreased testosterone can cause a lowered sex drive. DHEA has been proven to work locally to help and correct these symptoms. Applied intravaginally, DHEA is then converted by the vaginal tissue into either estrogen or testosterone, and as we believe it does so based on the local requirements of the tissue (Fernand Labrie et. al.). Several studies have been done on the effect of localized DHEA and have shown positive results in the effective treatment of vaginal atrophy. These studies have also shown that intravaginal DHEA have no effect on blood levels of steroid levels, including DHEA, estrogens, and testosterone (Fernand Labrie et. al.).
Advantages of a DHEA vaginal product:
Non-estrogen treatment for vulvovaginal atrophy and female sexual dysfunction
Treatment of atrophy is achieved strictly by a local action without systemic exposure to estrogen
Significant benefits observed with desire, arousal, orgasm, and pleasure (cannot be claimed by estrogen)
It appears that DHEA is locally converted to both estrogen and androgens which affects all three layers of the vaginal wall
A new drug containing DHEA is being developed under the trademark Prasterone and you can read more about it at http://www.prasterone.org
Want to read more?
Menopause September/October 2009 Volume 16 issue 5 pp923-931 Fernand Labrie et. al.: Effect of intravaginal DHEA (Prasterone) on libido and sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.
Menopause September/October 2009 Volume 16 issue 5 pp897-906 Fernand Labrie et. al.: Serum steroid levels during 12-week intravaginal DHEA administration. Menopause September/October 2009 Volume 16 issue 5 pp907-922 Fernand Labrie et. al.: Intravaginal DHEA (Prasterone), a physiological and highly efficient treatment of vaginal atrophy.
Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology September 5, 2014 DF Archer: DHEA-intravaginal administration for the treatment of Post-Menopausal Vulvovaginal Atrophy
Journal of Sexual Medicine 2014 Volume 11 pp1766-1785 Fernand Labrie et. al.: Lack of influence of Dyspareunia on the Beneficial effect of Intravaginal Prasterone (DHEA) on sexual dysfunctionin postmenopausal women.
Comments