DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE (DHEA) REPLACEMENT IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN - PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE PROMISE

Objective: Age-related declines in dehydroepiandroserone (DHEA) and de hydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) have been postulated to aggravat e some diseases of the elderly. As a result, DHEA supplementation is o ften touted as the ''fountain of youth'' and is being used widely in a n unregulated fashion, without evidence of efficacy or safety. Design: Review of the English-language literature. This review addresses DHEA replacement, touching on issues of bioavailability and possible benef icial effects. Safety concerns are also addressed. Conclusions: At pre sent, we believe that DHEA replacement is not suitable for widespread clinical use; however, the potential for future hormonal therapy of ag ing with this compound is such that further investigation is certainly warranted.