Effect of intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the female sexual function in postmenopausal women: ERC-230 open-label study

Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig. 2016 Mar;25(3):181-90. doi: 10.1515/hmbci-2015-0044.

Abstract

Objective: Intravaginal DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone, prasterone), the exclusive precursor of androgens and estrogens in postmenopausal women, has previously been shown to improve all the domains of sexual function by a strictly local action in the vagina. The well recognized female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire was used in the present study.

Design: The long-term effect of 52-week treatment with daily intravaginal 0.50% (6.5 mg) DHEA was evaluated on the various domains of female sexual function using the FSFI questionnaire at baseline, Week 26 and Week 52.

Subjects: One hundred and fifty-four postmenopausal women with at least one mild to severe symptom of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and who have completed the FSFI questionnaire at baseline and at least one post-baseline timepoint were included in the analysis.

Results: The FSFI domains desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain were increased by 28%, 49%, 115%, 51%, 41% and 108%, respectively (p<0.0001 for all parameters) at 52 weeks vs. baseline, while the total score was increased from 13.4±0.62 at baseline to 21.5±0.82 (+60%, p<0.0001) at 52 weeks.

Conclusion: As the serum levels of DHEA and all its metabolites, including estradiol and testosterone, show no meaningful change, the present clinical data indicate a stimulatory effect of intravaginal DHEA through a strictly local action in agreement with the preclinical data showing that the androgens made locally from DHEA in the vagina induce an increase in local nerve density.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravaginal
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / administration & dosage
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / adverse effects
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Orgasm / drug effects
  • Placebo Effect
  • Postmenopause / drug effects*
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / drug therapy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Dehydroepiandrosterone