From the Guidelines
Vaginal DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) should be considered for vaginal dryness or pain with sexual activity in postmenopausal individuals, as it has been shown to be effective at reducing dyspareunia, although its use should be approached with caution in survivors receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy due to potential impacts on circulating androgen levels. When considering the use of DHEA, it's crucial to weigh the potential benefits against the risks, particularly in survivors of hormonally mediated cancers, where safety data for androgen-based therapy are limited 1. The role of Lov-DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) in managing sexual dysfunction, particularly in postmenopausal individuals or survivors of breast or gynecologic cancer, involves its potential to improve sexual desire, arousal, pain, and overall sexual function, as evidenced by a randomized controlled trial of 464 survivors of breast or gynecologic cancer 1. Key points to consider include:
- DHEA's effectiveness in reducing dyspareunia in postmenopausal individuals
- The need for caution when using DHEA in survivors receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy
- The potential benefits of DHEA in improving sexual function in survivors of breast or gynecologic cancer
- The importance of personalized medical supervision when considering DHEA supplementation due to potential side effects and interactions with other medications. Given the most recent and highest quality evidence, the use of vaginal DHEA is supported for its benefits in sexual health, particularly for dyspareunia and vaginal dryness, under appropriate medical guidance 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
INDICATIONS: Temporarily supports the body to rebalance Adrenal and DHEA output. Symptoms of imbalanced Adrenal and DHEA may include: low energy, depression, anxiety, dry eyes, skin, and hair, loss of head hair. The role of DHEA is to temporarily support the body in rebalancing Adrenal and DHEA output.
- Key benefits may include alleviating symptoms such as:
- Low energy
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dry eyes, skin, and hair
- Loss of head hair 2
From the Research
Role of Lov-DHEA
There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as none of the provided studies mention Lov-DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone). The studies focus on the effects of vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and exercise on various health outcomes, but do not discuss Lov-DHEA.
Related Studies
Some studies discuss the benefits of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids on health outcomes, such as:
- The DO-HEALTH trial, which found that a combination of vitamin D3, marine omega-3s, and a home exercise program decreased the odds of becoming pre-frail in older adults 3
- The VITAL trial, which found that omega-3 fatty acids reduced the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease events 4
- A review of omega-3 fatty acids, which found that they have diverse biological effects in human health and disease, including reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality 5
However, these studies do not provide information on the role of Lov-DHEA.
Key Findings
Key findings from the studies include:
- Vitamin D supplementation does not provide demonstrable health benefits for vitamin D-replete individuals 6
- Omega-3 fatty acids have cardiovascular benefits, including reducing the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease events 4
- A combination of vitamin D3, marine omega-3s, and a home exercise program may decrease the odds of becoming pre-frail in older adults 3