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.