The use of dehydroepiandrosterone in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a report of gender differences.
Eur Neuropsychopharmacol
; 23(8): 910-8, 2013 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23084789
ABSTRACT
Data regarding the efficacy of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) are scarce and inconsistent. We aimed to determine possible gender differences in the efficacy of DHEA as a treatment for HDSS. Postmenopausal women (n=27), and men (n=21) with HSDD, were randomized to receive either DHEA 100 mg daily or placebo for 6 weeks in a controlled, double blind study. Primary outcome measures were sexual function questionnaires. Hormone serum levels of DHEAS, total and bioavailable testosterone, estradiol, and urine levels of DHEA and androsterone were also measured. Participants on active treatment showed a significant increase in circulating serum levels of DHEAS, while bioavailable testosterone levels increased in women only. In women only, significant interaction effects were observed for sexual arousal (p<0.05), satisfaction (p<0.05), and cognition (trend; p=0.06). For arousal, a significant improvement was observed for the DHEA treated group at 6 weeks (p=0.001). Significant correlations were observed between bioavailable T and sexual cognitions, arousal and orgasm, while DHEAS was correlated with satisfaction. In the men, significant correlations were observed between testosterone and arousal (r=.45), sexual drive (r=.50) and orgasm (r=.55). In women with HSDD, DHEA treatment had a significant beneficial effect on arousal, whereas no efficacy was demonstrated in men, indicating a possible gender difference. This improvement seems to be mediated via DHEA's metabolism to testosterone. Our positive results suggest that the neurosteroid DHEA may be effective as a treatment for women with HSDD if administered at a dose of at least 100 mg per day.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Desidroepiandrosterona
/
Neurotransmissores
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Disfunções Sexuais Psicogênicas
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur Neuropsychopharmacol
Assunto da revista:
PSICOFARMACOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Israel
País de publicação:
HOLANDA
/
HOLLAND
/
NETHERLANDS
/
NL
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PAISES BAJOS
/
THE NETHERLANDS