User:Mr. Ibrahem/Prasterone

Prasterone, also known as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and sold under the brand names Intrarosa among others, is a medication and dietary supplement. As a medication it is used to treat postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy. For this purpose it is used in the vagina. As a supplements it is sold with claims of anti-aging properties.

Common side effects include vaginal discharge and abnormal Pap smear. Other side effects may include weight change, acne, oily skin, and increased hair growth. It is a naturally occurring steroid hormone which is converted into androgens and estrogens.

Prasterone was discovered in 1934. An association between DHEA levels and aging was reported in 1965. The compound started being used for health claims in the 1980s. It was approved for medical use in Europe in 2018. In the United Kingdom 4 weeks of treatment costs the NHS about £16 in 2021 while in the United States this amount costs about 210 USD. The marketing of over-the-counter supplements is allowed in the United States.