Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulfate (DS) as therapeutic options in menopause. 1998

S Katz, and A J Morales
Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the potential of androgen replacement in menopausal women and specifically adrenal androgen replacement. There is unfortunately increasing unmonitored use of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) among adults in the United States with only limited and preliminary human data. An extensive body of literature in laboratory animals exists to suggest DHEA used in extremely large doses has multifaceted effects; though the inapplicability of this data to humans is not appreciated, as the physiology of adrenal androgens in humans and a few primates is unique. Currently, there is much international and multidisciplinary interest in the physiology and use of DHEA "replacement" in men and menopausal women. The scientific community anxiously await the results of these investigations, but in the interim DHEA and/or DHEA-Sulfate (DHEAS) supplementation is not recommended as a therapeutic option in menopause outside of clinical trials.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007107 Immune System The body's defense mechanism against foreign organisms or substances and deviant native cells. It includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response and consists of a complex of interrelated cellular, molecular, and genetic components. Immune Systems,System, Immune,Systems, Immune
D007333 Insulin Resistance Diminished effectiveness of INSULIN in lowering blood sugar levels: requiring the use of 200 units or more of insulin per day to prevent HYPERGLYCEMIA or KETOSIS. Insulin Sensitivity,Resistance, Insulin,Sensitivity, Insulin
D008297 Male Males
D008593 Menopause The last menstrual period. Permanent cessation of menses (MENSTRUATION) is usually defined after 6 to 12 months of AMENORRHEA in a woman over 45 years of age. In the United States, menopause generally occurs in women between 48 and 55 years of age. Change of Life, Female
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D002319 Cardiovascular System The HEART and the BLOOD VESSELS by which BLOOD is pumped and circulated through the body. Circulatory System,Cardiovascular Systems,Circulatory Systems
D003687 Dehydroepiandrosterone A major C19 steroid produced by the ADRENAL CORTEX. It is also produced in small quantities in the TESTIS and the OVARY. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can be converted to TESTOSTERONE; ANDROSTENEDIONE; ESTRADIOL; and ESTRONE. Most of DHEA is sulfated (DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE) before secretion. Dehydroisoandrosterone,Prasterone,5-Androsten-3-beta-hydroxy-17-one,5-Androsten-3-ol-17-one,Androstenolone,DHEA,Prasterone, 3 alpha-Isomer,5 Androsten 3 beta hydroxy 17 one,5 Androsten 3 ol 17 one,Prasterone, 3 alpha Isomer
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

Related Publications

S Katz, and A J Morales
March 1995, Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine,
S Katz, and A J Morales
December 1999, Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine,
S Katz, and A J Morales
April 1998, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
S Katz, and A J Morales
June 2007, Menopause international,
S Katz, and A J Morales
January 2009, Frontiers in neuroendocrinology,
S Katz, and A J Morales
November 2006, International journal of geriatric psychiatry,
S Katz, and A J Morales
December 1991, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism,
S Katz, and A J Morales
December 2000, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism,
Copied contents to your clipboard!