I found this pretty interesting news from JAMA. My DHEA level was flagged low. I have been taking 25 mg for a few months now. I might be upping the dose. So far I have no negative (known :roll:) side effects. Participants Fifty-six elderly persons (28 women and 28 men aged 71 [range, 65-78] years) with age-related decrease in DHEA level. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned to receive 50 mg/d of DHEA or matching placebo for 6 months. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome measures were 6-month change in visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat measured by magnetic resonance imaging and glucose and insulin responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Results Of the 56 men and women enrolled, 52 underwent follow-up evaluations. Compliance with the intervention was 97% in the DHEA group and 95% in the placebo group. Based on intention-to-treat analyses, DHEA therapy compared with placebo induced significant decreases in visceral fat area (–13 cm2 vs +3 cm2, respectively; P = .001) and subcutaneous fat (–13 cm2 vs +2 cm2, P = .003). The insulin area under the curve (AUC) during the OGTT was significantly reduced after 6 months of DHEA therapy compared with placebo (–1119 µU/mL per 2 hours vs +818 µU/mL per 2 hours, P = .007). Despite the lower insulin levels, the glucose AUC was unchanged, resulting in a significant increase in an insulin sensitivity index in response to DHEA compared with placebo (+1.4 vs –0.7, P = .005). Conclusion DHEA replacement could play a role in prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome associated with abdominal obesity. [color=darkred][/color]

Dhea rather scares me so I take a 25mg tablet every other day. My levels were fine, but I thought it may have helped my mood slightly until the dark days of winter approached. The long term effects still concern me, so I intend to keep the dosage low. I was tested and the hormone was fine, but felt like fiddling with a low dose. Heck, I tried everything else. I should have my level tested again, but as I stated I keep the dose ultra low, as sometimes less is more. I put the poundage on in the gut. And that progesterone surge makes me look pregnant. Ugh, I hate that drug, progesterone, natural or otherwise. Still think it's a personal culprit. Also, I'm 48, so my level of supplementation should likely be low, condidering the participants were the average age of 71. I'd be tested before and after supplementation, however.

From what I've read, I don't really think 25 mg is a low dose, even every other day. Generally, the maximum recommended is 25 per day for women, 50 for men. I take 5 mg. a couple of days a month (when I want to feel sexual, how pathetic is that). Not that 25 every other day may not be fine, just that it's not really that low. I have, however, read far more pro DHEA studies than not. Just my 2 cents, since we are all different (and I get GREAT results from progesterone--I dread the two weeks I'm off it). .

P.S. Maybe I'm really weird, but I really never got the budha belly thing. It's really kind of board flat (but I do work out with weights). I have every other symptom of meno/middle-age, though.

I walk! I once did the weights, but during peri they began to hurt. Weights are always on my should list. No belly Aimee, you're lucky. I have slender hips and thighs, but have always had the prementrual bloat and when I gain weight it goes right to the gut.

cris, I get such good results from the weight training, but I don't have the endurance for walking--isn't that weird? I read (you know that is all I do) that people who build muscle easily, like myself, usually don't have develop good aerobic (lung/heart) function (like in running). And people who do well aerobically (who can really condition their hearts and lungs quickly), generally don't build as much muscle. So that's my excuse! I used to love to walk my dogs along the beach back home, but sidewalk walking where we live now doesn't excite me, just tires me.

It seems everyone has a different reaction to DHEA. It's also important to use the pharmaceutical grade. I remember trying DHEA while I was in the throes of perimenopause -- in doses of 25 mg. -- and although I really did feel better, my energy levels had increased - I felt a general feeling of well being, but the one negative side effect was a sudden, excessive growth of fuzz/hair on my face and arms. I lowered the dose to 10 mg and had the same reaction. I couldn't tolerate the thought of dealing with facial hair and excess body hair, so I stopped using it. Within a week or two after stopping, the hair disappeared. Not everyone grows hair from DHEA, but for those who want to try it, rest assured, any hair growth will disappear as soon as you stop taking it. It would've been a lot more useful if the DHEA made hair grow back in the pubic area Dearest

"It would've been a lot more useful if the DHEA made hair grow back in the pubic area." lol- I wouldn't mind having your problem. Embarrassed to admit this but I have waaay more than a woman should have. I hate having to shave it all the time :oops: hmmm, wonder if it has something to do with being half Italian. However, my face has no fuzz. I had a 50mg shot of DHEA 5 days ago. Will be going up from 25 mg to 30 mg this week and eventually get up to 50 mg. I'm suppose to be getting a lot more energy but I sure don't feel very energetic...

I've been taking about 50 mg of DHEA a day for about a year and a half. I haven't noticed any unwanted hairgrowth. However to my delight, the receding hairline that I began to notice about 2 years ago seems to be filling in. (I'm 51)

I'm also on BCP, vaginal estrogen, and Livial. I don't know which might be responsible for what, but I have improved libido, improved vaginal lubrication, decreased menopause symptoms of every variety, and generally feel pretty good.

And hebe, I keep my southern hemisphere well groomed. Never paid much attention to it when I was younger (who had time for that?) but now I'm totally on board with the cute little stripe thing. It looks good, feels good and my husband loves it. I also threw away all of my old underwear, bought several dozen thong panties and some push up bras, and I'm rocking now.

If you dress old, look old, people will look at you and think that you're old. I dye my hair brown (hated that grey, it just washed my face out) put on my adoreable underwear, bought some high heels, got some new makeup....I'm a new me. No more lawn mowing. No more packing kids lunches. I'm the woman I've never been before and I'm going to keep it up as long as I can get away with it. I'm wearing my poor husband out.