Yesterday I noted to my husband that my hair has been falling out a bit more heavily than normal. Yes, we all lose a few hairs everyday, but this has been more noticable. I am attuned to hair loss after experiencing devastating alopecia, which was an apparent reaction to birth control pills years ago.

Its not as bad as "back when" but I am monitoring it. On the upside, my skin has been GREAT, I am sleeping easily, and virtually all other symptoms of peri-menopause have diminished. Most apparent to my husband, of course, is my revved-up libido which had been running on empty for a few months. I mean, it's REALLY back. High heels and all!  Activities that would make Jack Ryan blush! Well, I'll spare you all any further details, lest that PAM-coated turkey you've gorged on for the last few days becomes ill-digested, but you get the general idea.

I am noting this because on another user's blog, I had reported positive outcome from using a black cohosh and soy-based supplement. While I don't dispute the positives that they brought to my hormonal table, I neglected to mention that I had been simultaneously taking (and still take) one tablet of DHEA each morning, as well. When I went to my local Walgreen's to purchase SOMETHING to alleviate the aforementioned bothersome symptoms, the DHEA was positioned in the section with the other "change of life" products.

Years ago, I took DHEA but got bad skin breakouts, and thus discontinued usage. I have read that DHEA can, for some women, raise estrogen levels, and I think it has done this for me, thus the mostly positive outcome, minus the hair loss setback. However, I have also read research that concludes that this supplement is no more than a bogus "snake oil" cure.

I am still taking it and so far, so gooooooooood. It certainly is inexpensive enough (I am using the version by Natrol, with a purple label) so if you or a lady in your life needs a "boost" then perhaps it's worth a gamble.