can dhea directly improve libido?

[dehook]

whilst browsing through the posts on here regarding dhea benefits, it all paints a confusing picture. many have said they have felt no improvements in libido whilst taking dhea, yet doctors such as Mariano have stated that it is vital to a man's sex drive. So what's the deal? Is there anyone hear who has experienced a libido boost whilst using dhea that can be DIRECTLY attributed to the dhea and not the subsequent rise in testosterone/estrogen that results from dhea.

 

[Pericles]

I would also like to know.

 

[chemman]

I would also like to know.

From what I have read, the answer is YES. These are of course anecdotal accounts. And a lot of it depends on what pathway DHEA takes...does it go to Testosterone or estrogens? The answer to that question determines how (if at all) it will affect libido.

I believe that I am low on estradiol. I am also low on DHEA-S... verified by blood results. I think some supplementation with DHEA may help me restore the imbalance and therefore bring my libido.

 

[HeadDoc]

A randomized trial of oral DHEA treatment for sexu... [J Sex Med. 2009] - PubMed result

at least not for postmenopausal women.

 

[HeadDoc]

A randomized trial of oral DHEA treatment for sexu... [J Sex Med. 2009] - PubMed result

at least not for postmenopausal woman.

And for men nto so much---although this questions or raises some potential in this area for women.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14551720?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=5&log$=relatedreviews&logdbfrom=pubmed

 

[HeadDoc]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14551720?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=5&log$=relatedreviews&logdbfrom=pubmed

 

[Kwirion]

Tribulus terrestris & Protodioscin Study - Sexual Functions & DHEA

"Protodioscin from herbal plant Tribulus terrestris L improves the male sexual functions, probably via DHEA
[...]
After treatment with TTL (Libilov), there were significant increases in the serum DHEA-S levels in the diabetic patients with and without ED (Table II).
[...]
There were no significant differences observed in the hormone (testosterone, FSH, LH and prolactine), cholesterol, triglycerides, and Hb levels, as well as in the liver (SGPT, SGOT, Gamma GT) and kidney (creatinine and urea) functions before and after TTL treatment in all ED patients."

I think for right libido a bunch of things is a must: good levels of testosterone, of DHEA, good Cortisol/DHEA ratio and right (high) level of dopamine - all as a starting point...

 

[BBC3]

I have always heard that studies suggested that the reason DHEA does not work for some 70+% of the population is that they lack the certain enzymes or conditions to metabolize it healthily. I can take all the TT in the world and not get acne, but if I take DHEA I will have zits blastin. I have found that the effect seems to either diminish or be discounted within a month, at least for myself....

 

[spartans09]

I am struggling with low libido. I have very low free test and LH right now confirmed by blood tests. My total test is in the middle to high normal range. I took dhea for about 3 1/2 weeks and had no libido boost to speak of. I did notice my nipples starting to get slightly itchy and discontinued as I felt my e2 may have been escalating.

 

[Kwirion]

And Your level of DHT and e2 is..?

Maybe most of your testosterone is aromatized (too much) into e2?

Did You try to lower SHGB? To free up testosterone.

Did You try creatine? Is known to increse DHT/Testosterone ratio.

 

[spartans09]

Shgb and e2 were normal prior to dhea use.

 

[dehook]

It appears to be difficult to determine whether dhea does anything for libido due to its pro-estrogen effects in men.

spartans09: I don't want to get off topic, but you should also test for progesterone, as if your levels are too high then even the "normal" amount of E2 for you may be too much. Plus progesterone blocks conversion of testosterone to DHT. If you can't afford tests, get some quality tongkat ali and DIM and experiment safely. One can't always go by labs alone.

 

[chemman]

This might be of interest for some. Note the decrease of LH in response to DHEA administration.