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DHEA Sulphate Levels May Signify Low Libido: Presented at ENDO

By Mike Fillon

NEW ORLEANS, LA -- June 18, 2004 -- Australian researchers have identified the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) as a new marker of low libido in women younger than 45 years, challenging current expert opinion that sexual dysfunction is associated with low testosterone levels.

"We undertook this study to determine whether women with low libido also had low levels of androgens," said Susan Davis, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, Director of Research, Centre of Clinical Research Excellence for the Study of Women's Health, The Jean Hailes Foundation and Monash University.

Until now experts have agreed that sexual dysfunction in women was illustrated by low levels of free and total testosterone. However, this study has shown low testosterone bears no relationship to low libido in women under 45 years of age. Results of the study were reported here on June 17th at the 86th Annual Meeting of The Endocrine Society.

The hormone DHEAS is the most abundant sex hormone in the female circulation and provides a major source for the production of testosterone in cells. Researchers believe that DHEAS is a useful marker for the determination of low androgen status. About half of the testosterone the ovaries make is from the hormone DHEAS, which is produced by the adrenal glands. DHEAS is also converted into testosterone in other parts of the body, such as the skin and hair follicles.

Researchers at the Foundation are addressing the complex role of hormones. Their aim is to understand what is normal and whether women may benefit from therapy.

In this study, researchers looked at 1423 randomly selected women aged 18 to 75 years. The researchers used the Profile of Female Sexual Function (PFSF.), a patient-based instrument that measures loss of sexual function in menopausal women with hypoactive female sexual desire. The instrument contains 37 items in 7 domains -- sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, sexual pleasure, sexual concerns, sexual responsiveness, and sexual self-image -- and a single-item measure of overall satisfaction with sexuality. Sex steroids were measured using sensitive assays.

"We found a strong relationship between the low scores for desire, arousal and responsiveness and low DHEAS levels in women under 45," Professor Davis said.

According to Professor Davis, sexual function is complex and not simply a function of hormone levels. Sexual desire involves an intricate interplay of biological changes such as hormones and psychosocial influences, including relationship factors, body image, aging, menopause, social and cultural expectations.

Very little is known about the role of testosterone in women, although it is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for low libido in postmenopausal women. Professor Davis said these findings are important because women who experience self-reported low libido but have normal testosterone levels may miss out on the opportunity to access therapy options.

"Although multiple factors contribute to sexual interest, we have demonstrated that low DHEAS is more likely in a woman experiencing low sexual desire and arousal than in other women," Professor Davis said. "The findings from this study are absolutely fundamental to developing a sound clinical approach to the assessment of women presenting with low libido."

She said this new data would be of particular interest in the United States, where DHEA has been approved for use and is available over the counter. However, she warned that further research is needed on its safety and efficacy, who may benefit from this treatment, and public education.


[Presentation title: "Low DHEAS, but Not Free Testosterone, Is Associated with Low Sexual Interest in Young, Non Health Seeking Women." Abstract #P2-571]

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