Swiss consensus on the role of DHEA in the management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause

Climacteric. 2022 Jun;25(3):246-256. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2021.2008894. Epub 2021 Dec 15.

Abstract

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) has a significantly negative impact on affected women's lives. However, despite the increasing number of GSM treatment options (e.g. non-hormonal vaginal products, vaginal hormones [estrogens], dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA; prasterone], vaginal laser therapy, oral ospemifene), many women remain untreated. The goal of the Swiss interdisciplinary GSM consensus meeting was to develop tools for GSM management in daily practice: a GSM management algorithm (personalized medicine); a communication tool for vaginal DHEA (drug facts box); and a communication tool for understanding regulatory authorities and the discrepancy between scientific data and package inserts. The acceptance and applicability of such tools will be further investigated.

Keywords: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause; drug facts box; interdisciplinary consensus; personalized treatment; prasterone; vaginal estrogen.

MeSH terms

  • Atrophy / drug therapy
  • Consensus
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Female Urogenital Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Menopause*
  • Switzerland
  • Syndrome
  • Vagina / pathology

Substances

  • Dehydroepiandrosterone