DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

What is DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)? 

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands and is a precursor to male and female sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen. It is the most abundant hormone in the human body.

What are the mechanisms by which it works for medicinal purposes?

DHEA has been studied for its potential medicinal uses, including as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and certain autoimmune diseases. It works by affecting the levels of other hormones in the body and by acting on certain receptors in the brain.

What forms does it come in?

DHEA is available in supplement form, including capsules and creams.

What if I have an imbalance or deficiency?

Low levels of DHEA have been associated with several health problems, including a decline in hormone levels, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and heart disease.

When was it first used for medicinal purposes?

DHEA was first used for medicinal purposes in the 1940s.

Summary

In summary, DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is the most abundant hormone in the human body. It has been studied for its potential medicinal uses, including as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and certain autoimmune diseases. DHEA is available in supplement form and is taken orally. Possible side effects include acne, hair loss, and mood changes. The recommended daily dose varies based on individual factors and it is important to speak with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dose for you.

What does DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) help with?

DHEA is a hormone your body makes in the adrenal glands. The body uses it as a building block for estrogen and testosterone. Levels fall with age, and DHEA is sold as pills, creams and vaginal inserts.

The evidence is not the same for every use. One form, vaginal prasterone, has strong trial support and FDA approval for painful sex. Other uses rest on smaller or mixed studies, so each one below has its own grade.

• Vaginal dryness and pain during sex
  Strong evidence — repeated randomized trials of vaginal DHEA (prasterone), which is FDA-approved for this use. In these trials, a daily vaginal insert eased dryness and pain with sex. Women reported more moisture and more stretch in the tissue. The DHEA was changed into estrogen and testosterone inside the vaginal wall, and blood hormone levels did not rise much.
  Evidence grade A · Traditional tier T0
• Low desire and sexual problems
  Good evidence — randomized trials, mostly in women past menopause. In trials of women past menopause, sexual satisfaction scores went up. Women also reported less discomfort during sex. Work in men exists but is smaller and less clear.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T0
• Low energy from adrenal problems, such as Addison's disease
  Good evidence — randomized trials in people who make almost no DHEA of their own. People with Addison's disease make very little DHEA. In trials, replacing it improved energy, mood and overall sense of well-being. These gains showed up in this group, not in healthy adults.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T0
• Lupus flares and steroid load
  Good evidence — randomized trials in women with lupus, taken alongside usual drugs. Women with lupus often have lower than normal DHEA levels. In trials, DHEA cut how often flares happened. Some women were then able to use lower steroid doses, with DHEA as an add-on.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T0
• Low mood and mild depression
  Good evidence — clinical trials in adults with mild to moderate depression. In these trials, mood scores improved in a meaningful way. The gain was largest in middle-aged adults who started with low DHEA. In brain research, DHEA acts as a neurosteroid that touches mood systems.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T0
• Thinning bones
  Early evidence — human studies showing small changes, mostly in older women. In these studies, spinal bone density rose by a modest but real amount with regular use. Researchers credited DHEA turning into estrogen, which slows bone breakdown. The studies measured bone scans, not broken bones.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Poor response to IVF stimulation
  Early evidence — several human studies in women who respond poorly to IVF. Women who respond poorly to IVF often have lower DHEA and androgen levels. In several studies, taking DHEA for 6 to 12 weeks before a cycle was linked to better egg quality. Pregnancy rates were higher too, but the studies were small.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Hot flashes, mood swings and energy dips around menopause
  Early evidence — mixed human studies, with benefit reported in some women only. DHEA levels are known to fall with age, which leaves less raw material for estrogen and testosterone. In studies, some women reported fewer hot flashes, steadier mood and more energy. Other women noticed no change.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Memory and mental sharpness with age
  Evidence doesn't support this — mixed human studies, with no clear gain in people who have normal levels. DHEA and its sulfate form are active in the brain, so researchers have asked whether they help memory. Human results have been mixed. Any hint of benefit turned up in older adults with confirmed low levels.
  Evidence grade D · Traditional tier T0

What DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) has not been shown to do

• It has not been shown to sharpen memory in older adults whose DHEA levels are normal.
• Vaginal DHEA has not been shown to act as a whole-body hormone treatment, since blood hormone levels changed little in trials.
• It has not been shown to replace steroid drugs in lupus; trials used it alongside them.
• Bone studies measured density scans only, so it has not been shown to prevent broken bones.
• IVF studies looked at women who respond poorly to stimulation, so it has not been shown to help women with a normal response.
• Depression trials covered mild to moderate low mood, so it has not been shown to help severe depression.

How to read this:

The grades rate the strength of the evidence, not how well DHEA will work for you. A means several good human trials agree. B means at least one good human trial. C means small or mixed human studies. D means weak or clashing human results. This page lists what studies found. It is not medical advice, and DHEA is a hormone, so talk with your doctor before you start.

What can DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) help prevent?

• Bone loss in postmenopausal women (modest protective effect on spinal density with consistent use)
• Recurrent lupus flares (as adjunct therapy in diagnosed SLE)
• Vaginal atrophy progression in menopause

Which foods are rich in it?

DHEA is not found in foods, it is made by the body.

What are possible side effects?

It's geneally well tolerated at appropriate doses. Possible side effects include:

• Acne
• Hair loss
• Mood changes
• Decreased libido
• Hormonal imbalances
• Headache Mood
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Hirsutism (excess hair growth)

What’s the recommended daily dose?

The recommended daily dose of DHEA varies based on individual factors such as age, weight, and the condition being treated. Depending on blood test results: 15–25 mg daily for women and 25 mg daily for men.

How many days does it take to work?

The amount of time it takes for DHEA to work varies based on the individual and the condition being treated. In some cases, it may take several weeks to notice any effects.

What time of day is best to take it?

There is no specific time of day that is best to take DHEA. It is recommended to take it as directed by a healthcare provider.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

It is recommended to take DHEA with food, as this can help reduce the risk of upset stomach.