Prescription dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is commonly used for vaginal atrophy (thinning of the vaginal tissue).
Although results are conflicting and inconclusive, studies claim that DHEA supplements may have potential health benefits and prevent a few illnesses, such as:
- Depression
- Obesity
- Lupus
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Infertility
- Osteoporosis (brittle and fragile bones)
- Metabolic syndrome (improves insulin resistance and reduces abdominal fat)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Menopause
- Anorexia nervosa (an obsessive desire to lose weight)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract)
- Psychological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
DHEA supplements improve cognitive function in the elderly and skin appearance in postmenopausal women and people older than 60 years. Moreover, they enhance mood and memory.
Some researchers speculate that DHEA supplementation can reverse aging effects, improve sex drive and cognitive function, boost immunity, and enhance muscle strength. However, there is not enough reliable information available to support these speculations.
More studies are required to determine the safety and effectiveness of DHEA supplements.
What is DHEA?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone produced from cholesterol by the outer layer of the adrenal glands (a pair of small glands located on top of the kidneys) and liver.
DHEA is further used by the body to produce androgen (male sex hormone) and estrogen (female sex hormone).
DHEA is also known by the following names:
- Androstenolone
- 3β-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one
- 5-androsten-3β-ol-17-one
| Age in years | Normal DHEA levels in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) | |
|---|---|---|
|
Women |
18 to 19 | 145 to 395 |
| 20 to 29 | 65 to 380 | |
| 30 to 39 | 45 to 270 | |
| 40 to 49 | 32 to 240 | |
| 50 to 59 | 26 to 200 | |
| 60 to 69 | 13 to 130 | |
| 69 and older | 17 to 90 | |
| Men | 18 to 19 | 108 to 441 |
| 20 to 29 | 280 to 640 | |
| 30 to 39 | 120 to 520 | |
| 40 to 49 | 95 to 530 | |
| 50 to 59 | 70 to 310 | |
| 60 to 69 | 42 to 290 | |
| 69 and older | 28 to 175 |
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowWhat causes low DHEA levels?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels are low in:
- Women: less than 130 µg/dL
- Men: less than 180 µg/dL
DHEA levels are at their peak at about 25 years of age and then drop gradually as age progresses. By the time people reach their 70s or 80s, only 10 to 20 percent of DHEA is present compared with young adults.
Other than age factor, conditions that can lead to low DHEA levels include:
- Depression
- Menopause
- Anorexia
- Diabetes
- Human immunodeficiency virus
- Drugs such as oral contraceptive pills, metformin, dexamethasone, budesonide, chlorpromazine, and quetiapine
Why is DHEA banned?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is banned in all types of sports and should not be taken by sportsmen.
Because the oral administration of DHEA can lead to a dose-dependent increase in circulating androgens, which may reach high supraphysiologic levels in women, it is banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, International Olympic Committee, and the World Anti-Doping Agency.
In the United States, only the prescription form of the vaginal suppository form of DHEA is approved to treat symptoms of menopause. Currently, there are no clinical uses of DHEA that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Due to their high testosterone content, DHEA supplements are often marketed as performance and immunity boosters, but this use is neither proven nor safe in the long term.
How is DHEA taken?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplements are available in the form of tablets, sublingual (under the tongue) drops, and topical (on the skin) creams.
DHEA cannot be obtained from any food source. It is synthetically produced by using a chemical (diosgenin) found in soy and wild yam.
What are the risks associated with DHEA?
There is no standard dosage of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). However, DHEA is possibly safe when used for a short term (for up to two years), usually in doses of 50 mg daily.
Side effects are usually mild when taken in low doses and may include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- High blood pressure
- Menstrual irregularities
- Acne
- Oily or greasy skin
- Mood swings
- Abdominal pain
- Facial hair
- Breast tenderness
- Gynecomastia (enlarged male breast tissues)
- Irregular heartbeats
DHEA, when taken in higher doses and for a long period, can increase the risk of serious side effects including cancer.
DHEA supplements should be avoided in people who:
- Have heart diseases.
- Have liver diseases.
- Have thyroid diseases.
- Are pregnant.
- Are breastfeeding.
- Have diabetes.
- Have high cholesterol.
- Have polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Have a history of heart disease or stroke.
- Have blood clotting issues.
- Have breast, uterine and ovarian cancer; endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
- Are on blood thinners, anticonvulsants, and hormone therapies.
- Are on oral medications for diabetes and insulin.
Melinda Ratini DHEA WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dhea
DHEA MedlinePlus: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/331.html
Dehydroepiandrosterone Mount Sinai: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/dehydroepiandrosterone
DHEA-sulfate test Mount Sinai: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/dhea-sulfate-test
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