Progress in research of sodium prasterone sulfate in vaginal atrophy / 药学实践杂志

ABSTRACT

Sodium prasterone sulfate (DHEAS) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are endogenous steroid compounds, which are synthesized and secreted by adrenal gland.They are the precursors of steroid hormones,including sex hormone.Based on intracrine theory,the majority of postmenopausal women will have vaginal atrophy,which is caused by the absence of endogenous hormones,DHEAS or DHEA.Moderate supplementation of DHEAS can relieve the associated symptoms of vaginal atrophy.Many clinical researches have demonstrated that DHEAS can efficiently alleviate the related symptoms of vaginal atrophy.The concentration of androgen and estrogen in patients with long term use of DHEAS are still in the normal intracrine physiological range.Therefore,DHEAS may become the first drug for the treatment of vaginal atrophy in the future.