DHEA aids sex function in menopause

Low doses of the hormone DHEA -- dehydroepiandrosterone -- may help sexual function and menopausal symptoms in women, researchers in Italy suggest. DHEA is a natural steroid hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands. The study, published in the International Menopause Society, said the researchers tracked a group of 48 menopausal women and found that low-doses of DHEA can help relieve menopausal symptoms while also improving their sex lives. Cenegenics Carolinas, a medical institute Charleston, S.C., helps patients manage the aging process through a customized regimen of exercise, nutrition and hormone optimization to improve their quality of life. "We are pleased by the recent findings of the new study on DHEA and its benefits," Mickey Barber, chief executive officer of Cenegenics Carolinas, said in a statement. "While this study provides new insight into the function of hormones in relation to age management, it is important to note that DHEA should only be used under the supervision of a doctor trained in DHEA supplementation."