This article provides general nutrition information only and is not medical advice.

Overview

DHEA is a hormone that is naturally made by the body. DHEA works in the body to make other male and female sex hormones within the body. A prescription DHEA product is available to support thinning of vaginal tissue.

People use DHEA supplements for slowing signs of aging, improving muscle strength and athletic performance, inability to become pregnant within a year of trying to conceive (infertility), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Hormone

Primary Functions:

Slowing signs of aging

Also Known As:

Androstenolone, Dehydroepiandrosterone, Déhydroépiandrostérone, DHEA-S, GL701, Prasterone

How Does It Work?

DHEA is a "hormone" naturally made in the body by the adrenal glands near the kidneys and by the liver. DHEA helps to make male and female sex hormones within the body.

DHEA levels seem to go down as people get older. DHEA levels seem to be lower in people with low mood, postmenopausal women and many other conditions.

Uses

• Thinning of vaginal tissue (vaginal atrophy).The walls of the vagina can become thinner after life stage. This can cause pain during sex. Using vaginal inserts containing DHEA can reduce pain during sex by up to 15% in women after life stage. A prescription DHEA product is available for this condition.

• Aging skin. Some research shows that taking DHEA by mouth or applying it to the skin might improve skin appearance in women after life stage and in people over the age of 60 years.
• Low mood. Some research shows that taking 30-500 mg of DHEA by mouth daily improves concerns of low mood. Lower doses do not seem to help. Some experts recommend DHEA for low mood if more common medications don't work.
• Inability to become pregnant within a year of trying to conceive (infertility). Most research shows that taking DHEA for 2 to 3 months before in-vitro fertilization (IVF) might improve the chances of pregnancy and having a baby. However, other research shows that taking DHEA does not seem to prevent miscarriage in women that have had IVF. It isn't known if taking DHEA helps women get pregnant without IVF.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

• For aging skin: 50 mg of DHEA taken daily for 1 year.
• For low mood: 30-500 mg of DHEA taken daily for 6-8 weeks, either alone or together with antidepressant drugs.
• For inability to become pregnant within a year of trying to conceive (infertility): 75 mg of DHEA taken daily for 2-3 months before and during IVF nutritional support.

APPLIED TO THE SKIN:

• For aging skin: A 1% DHEA cream has been applied to the face and hands twice daily for up to 4 months.

APPLIED INTO THE VAGINA:

• For thinning of vaginal tissue (vaginal atrophy): Vaginal inserts containing 0.25% to 1% DHEA have been used once daily for 12 weeks. A specific vaginal insert containing 0.5% DHEA (Intrarosa, Endoceutics Inc.) is a prescription medicine used for this condition.

DHEA Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of taking DHEA?

 A number of studies have found that DHEA supplements may help people with low mood, obesity, lupus, and adrenal insufficiency. DHEA may also improve skin in older people and help support osteoporosis, vaginal atrophy, male vitality, and some psychological conditions.

Is it safe to take DHEA supplements?

Regarding time frame, a dose of 50 mg per day has been safely used for one year, and 25 mg per day has safely been used for two years. Generally, DHEA supplements have been safely used in studies for up to two years without severe side effects ( 26 , 47 ).

How long does DHEA take to work?

BY MOUTH: For aging skin: 50 mg of DHEA taken daily for 12 months has been used. For low mood: 30-450 mg of DHEA taken daily for 6 weeks has been used, either alone or together with antidepressant drugs. DHEA has also been used in increasing doses up to 500 mg daily for 8 weeks.

Why is DHEA banned?

The World Anti-Doping Agency classes DHEA as a banned substance in sports. Eating yams and soy does not increase DHEA in the body. DHEA has been tested for use in many conditions, including low mood, osteoporosis, and lupus, but there is little evidence to confirm its benefits.

Does DHEA cause weight gain?

Side Effects

May increase the risk of developing prostate, breast, ovarian, uterine, or cervical cancer and malignant melanoma or other hormonally-affected cancers. Hormonal side effects can be significant, including acne, skin changes, excess hair or hair loss, increased sweating, and weight gain.

What does DHEA do for females?

DHEA is both a natural hormone and popular supplement that can affect the levels of other hormones in your body. It has been studied for its potential to increase bone density, decrease body fat, improve sexual function and correct some hormonal problems.

Does DHEA affect sleep?

Melatonin and DHEA interact to control production of the other. When melatonin is highest, NREM sleep occurs; when DHEA increases slightly during sleep to maintain brainstem function, REM sleep occurs. During sleep, DHEA is low to reduce stimulation of the CNS, so sleep may occur.

Does DHEA increase estrogen?

Since DHEA can increase the level of both testosterone and estrogen, women who use DHEA can sometimes experience such side effects as: Voice changes. Hair loss.

Is DHEA a steroid?

DHEA is an endogenous steroid hormone, produced by the adrenal glands, gonads, and brain. Its role is not fully understood, but it plays an important part in the synthensizing estrogen and androgen.

What time of day should you take DHEA?

Replacement consists of a single oral dose of 25–50 mg DHEA in the morning. However, not all investigators have found effects of DHEA on well-being, most likely because of small sample size and short duration of nutritional support.

Does DHEA cause hair loss?

Since DHEA can increase the level of both testosterone and estrogen, women who use DHEA can sometimes experience such side effects as: Voice changes. Hair loss. Growth of facial hair.

Can DHEA cause stress?

May cause agitation, delusions, nervousness, irritability, or psychosis and may induce hypomanic, aggressive, psychotic, or disinhibited behavior. In people with bipolar imbalance, DHEA should be used with caution and only in low doses because it can exacerbate mania, irritability, and aggression.

Is DHEA bad for your liver?

High lipid balance: DHEA might lower "good lipid balance". Liver problems: DHEA might make liver problems worse. Do not use DHEA if you have liver problems. Low mood and mood imbalances: DHEA might cause excitability, impulsiveness, and irritability in people with mood imbalances.

Is DHEA worth taking?

For young, healthy individuals, taking DHEA is probably not necessary. This hormone is produced naturally in the body, and more of it is not necessarily better. However, supplementing with DHEA may benefit some individuals, specifically older adults and those with certain adrenal, sexual or fertility problems.

What foods contain DHEA?

There are no food sources of DHEA. Wild yams contain a substance similar to DHEA that is used to make DHEA in the laboratory. The body manufactures DHEA naturally in the adrenal glands.

Does DHEA help with stress?

Initial research on DHEA supplementation (DHEA-S) in schizophrenia patients shows some benefits in the management of stress and depressive concerns. ... DHEA and circulating sex hormones (endogenous and exogenous) have also been linked to a decreased risk of heart condition.

What are the concerns of too much DHEA?

Possible side effects of DHEA supplements can include:

• Oily skin and acne, as well as skin thickening.
• Hair loss.
• Stomach upset.
• High cardiovascular health.
• Changes in menstrual cycle.
• Facial hair in women.
• Deepening of the voice in women.

When should you take DHEA morning or night?

The starting dose is 25 (–50) mg DHEA/day given as a single oral dose in the morning, and the intended nutritional support duration should be a minimum of 4–6 months.

Is DHEA good for life stage?

DHEA May Help Sex, concerns After life stage. Dec. 20, 2011 -- Low-dose DHEA works as well as hormone replacement routine (HRT) to ease menopausal concerns and to improve women's sex lives, a small pilot study suggests. DHEA is a hormone widely available in the U.S. as a dietary supplement.

Can DHEA cause weight loss?

DHEA didn't produce dramatic weight loss. People taking the hormone lost, on average, about 2 pounds, while those taking the placebo gained a little more than 1 pound. ... Interestingly, the study also showed that DHEA increases the levels of testosterone in women, but not in men.

Who should take DHEA?

Why do people take DHEA?

• A number of studies have found that DHEAsupplements may help people with low mood, obesity, lupus, and adrenal insufficiency. ...
• Low DHEAlevels are associated with aging and a number of conditions, such as anorexia, type 2 diabetes, and HIV.

Clinical Studies

• ^ Parasrampuria J, Schwartz K, Petesch R. Quality control of dehydroepiandrosterone dietary supplement products. JAMA. (1998)
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• ^ a b c Orentreich N, et al. Age changes and sex differences in serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations throughout adulthood. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. (1984)
• ^ a b c Miller WL, Auchus RJ. The molecular biology, biochemistry, and physiology of human steroidogenesis and its imbalances. Endocr Rev. (2011)
• ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Traish AM, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)--a precursor steroid or an active hormone in human physiology. J Sex Med. (2011)
• ^ a b Chung BC, et al. Cytochrome P450c17 (steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase): cloning of human adrenal and testis cDNAs indicates the same gene is expressed in both tissues. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (1987)
• ^ Neary N, Nieman L. Adrenal insufficiency: etiology, diagnosis and nutritional support. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. (2010)
• ^ Patel SS, et al. 17α-Hydroxylase (CYP17) expression and subsequent androstenedione production in the human ovary. Reprod Sci. (2010)
• ^ Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) as neuroactive neurosteroids.
• ^ Fitzpatrick JL, et al. Metabolism of DHEA by cytochromes P450 in rat and human liver microsomal fractions. Arch Biochem Biophys. (2001)
• ^ a b Le Mée S, et al. 7beta-Hydroxy-epiandrosterone-mediated regulation of the prostaglandin synthesis pathway in human peripheral blood monocytes. Steroids. (2008)
• ^ Morfin R, Courchay G. Pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone as precursors of native 7-hydroxylated metabolites which increase the immune response in mice. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. (1994)
• ^ El Kihel L. Oxidative metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and biologically active oxygenated metabolites of DHEA and epiandrosterone (EpiA)--recent reports. Steroids. (2012)
• ^ Robinzon B, Prough RA. Interactions between dehydroepiandrosterone and glucocorticoid metabolism in pig kidney: nuclear and microsomal 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. Arch Biochem Biophys. (2005)
• ^ Glucocorticoids inhibit interconversion of 7-hydroxy and 7-oxo metabolites of dehydroepiandrosterone: a role for 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases?.
• ^ a b Labrie F, et al. Androgen glucuronides, instead of testosterone, as the new markers of androgenic activity in women. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. (2006)
• ^ a b Liu D, Dillon JS. Dehydroepiandrosterone activates endothelial cell nitric-oxide synthase by a specific plasma membrane receptor coupled to Galpha(i2,3). J Biol Chem. (2002)
• ^ a b c d Liu D, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone protects vascular endothelial cells against apoptosis through a Galphai protein-dependent activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 expression. Endocrinology. (2007)
• ^ a b c d Liu D, Dillon JS. Dehydroepiandrosterone stimulates nitric oxide release in vascular endothelial cells: evidence for a cell surface receptor. Steroids. (2004)
• ^ a b c Martina V, et al. Short-term dehydroepiandrosterone nutritional support increases platelet cGMP production in elderly male subjects. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). (2006)
• ^ a b Liu D, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone stimulates endothelial proliferation and angiogenesis through extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2-mediated mechanisms. Endocrinology. (2008)
• ^ Radford DJ, et al. Dehdyroepiandrosterone sulfate directly activates protein kinase C-beta to increase human neutrophil superoxide generation. Mol Endocrinol. (2010)
• ^ Hennebert O, et al. Joint comfort effects and changes in prostaglandin patterns induced by 7beta-hydroxy-epiandrosterone in rats with colitis. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. (2008)
• ^ Chen F, et al. Direct agonist/antagonist functions of dehydroepiandrosterone. Endocrinology. (2005)
• ^ Sandra N, et al. The DHEA metabolite 7β-hydroxy-epiandrosterone exerts anti-estrogenic effects on breast cancer cell lines. Steroids. (2012)
• ^ a b Orentreich N, et al. Long-term longitudinal measurements of plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in normal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. (1992)
• ^ Bélanger A, et al. Changes in serum concentrations of conjugated and unconjugated steroids in 40- to 80-year-old men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. (1994)
• ^ Ponholzer A, et al. Association of DHEA-S and estradiol serum levels to concerns of aging men. Aging Male. (2002)
• ^ a b c Arlt W, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in healthy men with an age-related decline of dehydroepiandrosterone secretion. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. (2001)
• ^ a b c d e f g Labrie F, et al. Bioavailability and metabolism of oral and percutaneous dehydroepiandrosterone in postmenopausal women. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. (2007)
• ^ a b c Labrie F, et al. Changes in serum DHEA and eleven of its metabolites during 12-month percutaneous administration of DHEA. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. (2008)
• ^ Bélanger A, et al. Inactivation of androgens by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzymes in humans. Trends Endocrinol Metab. (2003)
• ^ Hum DW, et al. Characterization of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases active on steroid hormones. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. (1999)
• ^ Turgeon D, et al. Relative enzymatic activity, protein stability, and tissue distribution of human steroid-metabolizing UGT2B subfamily members. Endocrinology. (2001)
• ^ Labrie F, et al. Metabolism of DHEA in postmenopausal women following percutaneous administration. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. (2007)
• ^ a b c d Acacio BD, et al. Pharmacokinetics of dehydroepiandrosterone and its metabolites after long-term daily oral administration to healthy young men. Fertil Steril. (2004)
• ^ Auci DL, et al. A potential role for 5-androstene-3β,7β,17β-triol in obesity and metabolic syndrome. Obesity (Silver Spring). (2011)
• ^ Thaler LM, Blevins LS Jr. The low dose (1-microg) adrenocorticotropin stimulation test in the evaluation of patients with suspected central adrenal insufficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. (1998)
• ^ a b Hucklebridge F, et al. The diurnal patterns of the adrenal steroids cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in relation to awakening. Psychoneuroendocrinology. (2005)
• ^ Granger DA, et al. Assessing dehydroepiandrosterone in saliva: a simple radioimmunoassay for use in studies of children, adolescents and adults. Psychoneuroendocrinology. (1999)
• ^ Oskis A, et al. Differences between diurnal patterns of salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone in healthy female adolescents. Stress. (2012)
• ^ Ahn RS, et al. Salivary cortisol and DHEA levels in the Korean population: age-related differences, diurnal rhythm, and correlations with serum levels. Yonsei Med J. (2007)
• ^ Matchock RL, Dorn LD, Susman EJ. Diurnal and seasonal cortisol, testosterone, and DHEA rhythms in boys and girls during puberty. Chronobiol Int. (2007)
• ^ Markopoulou K, et al. The ratio of cortisol/DHEA in nutritional support resistant low mood. Psychoneuroendocrinology. (2009)
• ^ Young AH, Gallagher P, Porter RJ. Elevation of the cortisol-dehydroepiandrosterone ratio in drug-free depressed patients. Am J Psychiatry. (2002)
• ^ Michael A, et al. Altered salivary dehydroepiandrosterone levels in major low mood in adults. Biol Psychiatry. (2000)
• ^ Lawson EA, et al. Adrenal glucocorticoid and androgen precursor dissociation in anorexia nervosa. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. (2009)
• ^ a b Gallagher P, et al. Plasma cortisol-dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) ratios in schizophrenia and bipolar imbalance. Schizophr Res. (2007)
• ^ Ritsner M, et al. Elevation of the cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone ratio in schizophrenia patients. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. (2004)
• ^ Strous RD, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone augmentation in the management of negative, depressive, and stress concerns in schizophrenia. Arch Gen Psychiatry. (2003)
• ^ Nachshoni T, et al. Improvement of extrapyramidal concerns following dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) administration in antipsychotic treated schizophrenia patients: a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trial. Schizophr Res. (2005)
• ^ Ritsner MS, et al. Improvement of sustained attention and visual and movement skills, but not clinical concerns, after dehydroepiandrosterone augmentation in schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. J Clin Psychopharmacol. (2006)
• ^ Cleare AJ, O'Keane V, Miell JP. Levels of DHEA and DHEAS and responses to CRH stimulation and hydrocortisone nutritional support in chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychoneuroendocrinology. (2004)
• ^ Ritsner M, et al. Cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone ratio and responses to antipsychotic nutritional support in schizo