DHEA May Help Alleviate Menopause Symptoms
For years the only real treatment for menopause has been Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Though effective, HRT has come under fire from certain studies as possibly being linked to increased levels of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and strokes in women. Since then, there has been a wide search for alternative treatments.
Researchers in Italy recently unveiled that they may have discovered menopause relief in DHEA
DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a naturally occurring steroid hormone secreted mainly by the adrenal glands. It has proven to have a variety of therapeutic uses, but this recent study has found that it shows promising results when treating menopause as well.
The study followed a group of 48 post-menopausal women that were suffering from symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats and particularly loss of sex drive. Over the period of one year, 12 of the women were given standard HRT treatment, 12 were given Vitamin D and calcium supplements, another 12 were given a synthetic steroid called tibolone (used to alleviate menopausal symptoms) and the remaining 12 were given low doses of DHEA.
Throughout the study, each woman was given a questionnaire, in which they rated the severity of their symptoms, level of sexual interest and sexual activity. The question also explored factors such as satisfaction with frequency of sex, orgasm, sexual partner and vaginal lubrication. All women reported having similar sexual activity at the beginning of the study.
At the end of the year-long study, the women that were given Vitamin D and calcium scored an average of 34.9 on the questionnaire, while those taking DHEA scored an average of 48.6. The results of the HRT group were similar, and both groups also reported a higher level of sexual intercourse than the vitamin group.
These results are promising, though the researchers are careful to point out that they come from a fairly small sample group, and similar studies will need to be done with larger numbers in order to accumulate any truly significant data.
We will keep our readers updated on the progress of the DHEA studies. If you have any questions about DHEA or HRT therapies, contact VitaliT today for a risk-free consultation.