Prasterone was under development for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus in the United States and Europe in the 1990s and 2000s and reached phase III clinical trials and preregistration for this indication, respectively, but ultimately development was not continued past 2010. Memory
Prasterone supplementation has not been found to be useful for memory function in normal middle aged or older adults. It has been studied as a treatment for Alzheimers disease, but there is no evidence that it is effective or ineffective. More research is needed to determine its benefits. Mood
A few small, short term clinical studies have found that prasterone improves mood but its long-term efficacy and safety, and how it compares to antidepressants, was unknown as of 2015. References
Further reading
Keppel Hesselink JM (December 1997). "[Prasterone (dihydroepiandrosterone): a modern source of eternal youth?]". Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd (in Dutch). 141 (51): 2484–7. PMID 9555138. Zelissen PM, Thijssen JH (October 2001). "[Role of prasterone (dehydroepiandrosterone) in substitution therapy for adrenocortical insufficiency]". Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd (in Dutch). 145 (42): 2018–22. PMID 11695098. Pope, JE; Cupp, MJ; Tracy, TS (2003). Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (Prasterone). Dietary Supplements. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. pp. 123–147. doi:10.1007/978-1-59259-303-3_8 (inactive 31 July 2022). ISBN 9781592593033. {{cite book}}:  CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2022 (link)
Kocis P (November 2006). "Prasterone". Am J Health Syst Pharm. 63 (22): 2201–10. doi:10.2146/ajhp060100. PMID 17090740. Mendivil Dacal JM, Borges VM (April 2009). "[Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), review of its efficiency in the managing of the libido decrease and other symptoms of aging]". Actas Urol Esp (in Spanish). 33 (4): 390–401. doi:10.4321/s0210-48062009000400009.
Vulvar vestibulitis
Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS), vestibulodynia, or simply vulvar vestibulitis or "localized (to the vestibule) provoked vulvodynia" refers to pain localized to the vestibular region. It tends to be associated with a highly localized "burning" or "cutting" type of pain. The pain of vulvodynia may extend into the clitoris; this is referred to as clitorodynia.Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome is the most common subtype of vulvodynia that affects premenopausal women – the syndrome has been cited as affecting about 10%–15% of women seeking gynecological care. Causes
A wide variety of possible causes and treatments for vulvodynia are currently being explored. Moreover, there are probably several causes of vulvodynia, and some may be individual to the patient.Possible causes include Sjögren syndrome, the symptoms of which include chronic vaginal dryness. Others include genetic predisposition to inflammation, allergy or other sensitivity (for example: oxalates in the urine), an autoimmune disorder similar to lupus erythematosus or to eczema or to lichen sclerosus, infection (e.g., yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, HPV, HSV), injury, and neuropathy—including an increased number of nerve endings in the vaginal area. Some cases seem to be negative outcomes of genital surgery, such as a labioplasty. Initiation of hormonal contraceptives that contain low- dose estrogen before the age of 16 could predispose women to vulvar vestibulitis syndrome. A significantly lower pain threshold, especially in the posterior vestibulum, has also been associated with the use of hormonal contraceptives in women without vulvar vestibulitis syndrome. Pelvic floor dysfunction may be the underlying cause of some womens pain.