Supplements Dietary Supplements What Is DHEA? DHEA may help fight depression, shield bone health, and more By Megan Nunn, PharmD Megan Nunn, PharmD Megan Nunn, PharmD, is a community pharmacist in Tennessee with twelve years of experience in medication counseling and immunization. She is passionate about providing evidence-based recommendations that make health decisions easier and improve lives. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 13, 2022 Medically reviewed by Beth Thomas, PharmD Medically reviewed by Beth Thomas, PharmD LinkedIn Beth Thomas, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist and founder of BMT Consulting Services, LLC. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses Side Effects Precautions Dosage Toxicity Interactions How to Store Similar Supplements Sources & What to Look For Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant circulating steroid in the human body. It is made primarily in the adrenal glands, small glands at the top of your kidneys. You can also get DHEA from dietary supplements. DHEA converts to male and female sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. Levels of DHEA naturally decrease as people age, and by age 70, they can be as low as 10-20% of the levels found in a 25-year-old. Proponents suggest that taking DHEA in supplement form can boost your levels of the hormones estrogen and testosterone and—in turn—protect against health problems associated with hormone imbalances and/or aging-related declines in hormone levels. This article explains the possible benefits and risks of using DHEA supplements, as well as how to take supplements safely and effectively. Dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. When possible, choose a supplement that has been tested by a trusted third party, such as USP, ConsumerLabs, or NSF. However, even if supplements are third-party tested, that doesn’t mean they are necessarily safe for all or effective in general. Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and to check in about any potential interactions with other supplements or medications. Supplement Facts Active ingredient(s): DehydroepiandrosteroneAlternate name(s): 3b-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one, 3β-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one, (Intrarosa) prasterone, androstenoloneLegal status: Over-the-counter supplement in the US, prescription intravaginal drug (Intrarosa)Suggested dose: 50 milligrams (mg) by mouth once daily, or 6.5 milligrams (mg) inserted vaginally (prescription Intrarosa)Safety considerations: Contraindicated in pregnant or nursing people and people with a history of breast cancer. Uses of DHEA Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease. Although it has been suggested to improve everything from sexual function to physical strength and mood, data supporting the use of over-the-counter DHEA supplements is limited. Here’s the latest clinical research on some potential benefits of DHEA. Pain During Sex The FDA approved synthetic DHEA in 2016 as a prescription product called Intrarosa (prasterone), a vaginal insert used once a day after menopause to reduce pain during sex. Intrarosa effectively decreased vaginal dryness and pain during sex without causing systemic (body-wide) side effects. Osteoporosis Scientific studies evaluating DHEA's effects on bone health have yielded mixed results. A meta-analysis showed an increased bone mineral density in the hip area in females who were given DHEA. However, this result was not seen in males. More research is needed to assess the potential benefits of DHEA for bone health. In one study, researchers measured the bone mineral density of healthy males and females. The study found those with the highest blood levels of DHEA had higher bone mineral density (compared to those with the lowest DHEA levels) in the femur (thigh) bone. Depression DHEA may help people being treated for depression. A meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials found that, in general, DHEA offered more benefits than a placebo (sugar pill) but not enough to recommend it as a first-line treatment. The analyzed trials were mostly small and had such varying results that more data is needed to recommend DHEA for depression. Doses used in the trials were between 25 and 400 milligrams (mg) per day, with 50 milligrams (mg) daily being the most common regimen. Also, long-term data is lacking, as 12 months was the maximum duration of treatment in the research. Infertility A randomized controlled trial of 77 infertile females undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) showed that those over the age of 38 given DHEA supplements were more likely to get pregnant than those who did not receive supplementation. The DHEA dose in this trial was 25 milligrams (mg) three times a day for at least eight weeks before an IVF cycle. Only 20 of the 77 participants received supplementation. More data is needed to support DHEA for this use. A meta-analysis showed DHEA was associated with an increase in pregnancy versus placebo but had no effect on rate of miscarriage. It's typically suggested that people undergoing the IVF process take DHEA for at least six to eight weeks before the cycle starts and often continue to use it until they become pregnant. Other Uses DHEA has been studied for conditions such as aging skin, lupus, adrenal insufficiency, irritable bowel disease, and asthma--but for the most part, trials have been small or inconclusive. DHEA is said by some to slow the aging process, improve sports performance, address symptoms of sexual dysfunction, and bolster the immune system. These claims are so far not supported by research. In addition, DHEA supplements are frequently marketed as testosterone-boosting agents and used for such purposes as changing body composition- for instance, increasing muscle mass and reducing fat. Despite aggressive marketing, DHEA's effects on body composition, increased athletic performance, or improved sexual function are inconclusive. And importantly, the FDA has not approved DHEA as a supplement for treating any condition, although the prescription product has been approved for a specific indication- painful sex after menopause. What Are the Side Effects of DHEA? DHEA is a hormone. It should only be used under the supervision of a qualified, licensed healthcare provider. If not used under a healthcare provider's care or if dosed incorrectly, DHEA can cause side effects. Common Side Effects Side effects occurred in up to 25% of people in studies who took DHEA for depression and seemed more common in females than males. Common side effects appeared transient (reversible when the supplement is discontinued). They include: Greasy or oily skin Acne Hair loss Abnormal or excessive hair growth (hirsutism) In trials of the prescription vaginal insert Intrarosa, typical side effects include: Vaginal discharge Abnormal Pap smears Severe Side Effects Case reports have shown the following rare side effects: Numbness or paresthesia of the upper extremitiesRestlessnessInsomniaDry eyes Additionally, there is a risk of severe side effects such as: Prostate cancer Breast cancer Gynecomastia or male breast enlargement It’s recommended that people taking DHEA supplements have blood work done yearly to minimize cancer risk. Precautions Children and pregnant or nursing people should not take DHEA supplements. Those with a history of heart disease or stroke should also avoid DHEA supplements. DHEA may also alter the production of cholesterol and hormones such as insulin, thyroid, and adrenal hormones. People with liver disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, blood clotting disorders, and hormonal disorders should take caution when using DHEA. People with hormone-sensitive cancers such as prostate, breast, or ovarian should not take DHEA as it converts into estrogen in the body. High DHEA levels have been associated with psychotic disorders. People with or at risk for psychiatric disorders should only use DHEA under the supervision of their healthcare provider. People with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as DHEA may worsen this condition. Athletes may be eliminated from competitions as DHEA is prohibited by regulating bodies such as the International Olympic Committee, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Dosage: How Much DHEA Should I Take? Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs. There is no recommended daily allowance for DHEA supplements. There is some evidence to suggest the following dosages for these specific conditions: Oral: 30 to 500 milligrams (mg) of DHEA taken by mouth daily for six to eight weeks, either alone or together with antidepressant drugs for depressionTopical: 1% DHEA cream applied to the face and hands twice daily for up to four months for aging skinVaginal inserts: 0.25% to 1% DHEA used once daily for 12 weeks for vaginal thinning (Intrarosa, a specific vaginal insert containing 0.5% DHEA, is a prescription medicine used for this condition.) People should take DHEA at bedtime to stimulate the circadian overnight boost in DHEA levels. What Happens If I Take Too Much DHEA? Taking 50 milligrams (mg) daily DHEA for up to two years seems safe. But high doses (above 50 or 100 milligrams (mg) daily) or long-term use may increase the risk of severe side effects like cancer. Interactions DHEA supplements should not be taken with the following drugs, as they may cause reactions, be harmful to the liver, or interfere with the drug's effectiveness: Medicines that treat estrogen-sensitive cancers such as breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer. Examples include aromatase inhibitors- Arimidex (anastrozole), Aromasin (exemestane), and Femara (letrozole)- along with Faslodex (fulvestrant) and Nolvadex (tamoxifen). DHEA may increase estrogen levels in the body and make these cancer treatments less effective. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Cambia (diclofenac) and Advil (ibuprofen), heparin, Jantoven (warfarin), Plavix (clopidogrel), Eliquis (apixaban), and others. DHEA may also slow blood clotting, causing increased bleeding risk. Herbal supplements that change blood clotting, including fish oil, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, and ginger. If taken with DHEA, these may also increase the risk of bleeding. Antidepressants such as Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Celexa (citalopram), Cymbalta (duloxetine), and others. Taking these with DHEA may increase the risk of side effects. Medications changed by a liver enzyme called CYP450 3A4, which also helps convert DHEA into sex hormones. Examples are Mevacor (lovastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Nizoral (ketoconazole), Viagra (sildenafil), Halcion (triazolam), and many others. Taking these medicines with DHEA can increase the risk of side effects. Licorice may increase DHEA levels and increase side effects. Too much DHEA has the potential to cause serious problems. Work with your healthcare provider to ensure that DHEA supplements will not interfere with other medication you might be taking and that you take the correct dose. It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredient list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications. Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak How to Store DHEA DHEA should be stored at room temperature and discarded based on the expiration date listed on the label. Follow the manufacturer's storage guidelines. Similar Supplements Supplements that have been studied for their use in depression include: St. John’s wort Omega-3 fatty acids Folic acid SAM-e Supplements that have been advertised to increase testosterone, but don't necessarily have the scientific data to back that up, include: Tribulus terrestris Icariin Ashwagandha Supplements that may be used to alleviate vaginal dryness or pain during sex: Vitamin C Vitamin E Frequently Asked Questions Will taking DHEA supplements improve my workouts? There is no evidence that DHEA improves exercise or athletic performance. And although DHEA is allowed to be sold as a supplement in the U.S., it is a controlled substance in many countries. Groups like the International Olympic Committee, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibit the use of DHEA by athletes. What is DHEA-S? DHEA-S stands for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. It's simply a male sex hormone that is a form of DHEA. DHEA-S is produced by the adrenal glands in both males and females. As with DHEA, levels of DHEA-S naturally decline with age. What are the symptoms of low DHEA? As levels of DHEA in the blood decline, people may experience the following:Unexplained weight lossNausea and vomitingDizzinessDehydrationSalt cravingsLow sex driveErectile dysfunction (males)Thinning of vaginal tissues (females) Does yam contain DHEA? Yam is not a source of steroids. It does not contain DHEA, but it does contain something called diosgenin which can be used to create DHEA and estrogen in a lab setting. Sources of DHEA & What To Look For DHEA is typically found naturally in the body or in supplement form. Food Sources of DHEA There are no known food sources of DHEA. DHEA Supplements DHEA supplements are available in many forms--capsules, tablets, liquids, and tinctures. Additionally, people may use DHEA creams for aging skin and vaginal suppositories for vaginal dryness after menopause. Summary Low levels of DHEA, a hormone that turns into male and female sex hormones, are associated with various conditions, including depression and menopause symptoms. DHEA supplements can be made from wild yams in the lab, but the benefits of these supplements are not well known. Talk with your healthcare professional before using oral or topical treatments containing DHEA to help with depression, vaginal thinning, or improve your skin's appearance. Be aware of possible interactions with other medications and the risks of taking too much DHEA, which can cause side effects from minor and severe. 23 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Li CJ, Lin LT, Tsui KH. Dehydroepiandrosterone Shifts Energy Metabolism to Increase Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Female Fertility with Advancing Age. Nutrients. 2021;13(7):2449. Published 2021 Jul 17. doi:10.3390/nu13072449 Chimote BN, Chimote NM. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Its Sulfate (DHEA-S) in Mammalian Reproduction: Known Roles and Novel Paradigms. Vitam Horm. 2018;108:223-250. doi:10.1016/bs.vh.2018.02.001 Samaras N, Papadopoulou MA, Samaras D, Ongaro F. Off-label use of hormones as an antiaging strategy: a review. Clin Interv Aging. 2014;9:1175-1186. Published 2014 Jul 23. doi:10.2147/CIA.S48918 Rabijewski M, Papierska L, Binkowska M, et al. Supplementation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in pre- and postmenopausal women - position statement of expert panel of Polish Menopause and Andropause Society. Ginekol Pol. 2020;91(9):554-562. doi:10.5603/GP.2020.0091 Food and Drug Administration. Intrarosa (prasterone) vaginal inserts. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5881, Dehydroepiandrosterone. Peixoto C, José Grande A, Gomes Carrilho C, Nardi AE, Cardoso A, Barciela Veras A. Dehydroepiandrosterone for depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Neurosci Res. 2020;98(12):2510-2528. doi:10.1002/jnr.24721 Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves Intrarosa for postmenopausal women experiencing pain during sex. Archer DF, Labrie F, Montesino M, Martel C. Comparison of intravaginal 6.5mg (0.50%) prasterone, 0.3mg conjugated estrogens and 10μg estradiol on symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2017;174:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.03.01 Nieves JW. Skeletal effects of nutrients and nutraceuticals, beyond calcium and vitamin D. Osteoporos Int. 2013;24(3):771-786. doi:10.1007/s00198-012-2214-4 Lin H, Li L, Wang Q, Wang Y, Wang J, Long X. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials of DHEA supplementation of bone mineral density in healthy adults. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2019;35(11):924-931. doi:10.1080/09513590.2019.1616175 Park SG, Hwang S, Kim JS, Park KC, Kwon Y, Kim KC. The association between dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and bone mineral density in Korean men and women. J Bone Metab. 2017;24(1):31–36. doi:10.11005/jbm.2017.24.1.31 Liu Y, Hu L, Fan L, Wang F. Efficacy of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer cycles: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2018;34(3):178-183. doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1391202 Naredi N, Sandeep K, Jamwal VD, Nagraj N, Rai S. Dehydroepiandrosterone: A panacea for the ageing ovary?. Med J Armed Forces India. 2015;71(3):274-277. doi:10.1016/j.mjafi.2014.12.022 Rutkowski K, Sowa P, Rutkowska-Talipska J, Kuryliszyn-Moskal A, Rutkowski R. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): hypes and hopes. Drugs. 2014;74(11):1195-1207. doi:10.1007/s40265-014-0259-8 Wang F, He Y, O Santos H, Sathian B, C Price J, Diao J. The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on body composition and blood pressure: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Steroids. 2020;163:108710. doi:10.1016/j.steroids.2020.108710 Kovac JR, Pan M, Arent S, Lipshultz LI. Dietary Adjuncts for Improving Testosterone Levels in Hypogonadal Males. Am J Mens Health. 2016;10(6):NP109-NP117. doi:10.1177/1557988315598554 DailyMed - INTRAROSA- prasterone insert. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ada639d4-bac0-2ad0-e053-2a95a90afce7 National Institutes of Health MedlinePlus. DHEA. Ravindran AV, Balneaves LG, Faulkner G, et al. Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2016 Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Adults with Major Depressive Disorder: Section 5. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments. Can J Psychiatry. 2016;61(9):576-587. doi:10.1177/0706743716660290 Amini L, Chekini R, Nateghi MR, et al. The Effect of Combined Vitamin C and Vitamin E Supplementation on Oxidative Stress Markers in Women with Endometriosis: A Randomized, Triple-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Gazerani P, ed. Pain Research and Management. 2021;2021:1-6. doi:10.1155/2021/5529741 Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance. Heaney JL, Carroll D, Phillips AC. DHEA, DHEA-S and cortisol responses to acute exercise in older adults in relation to exercise training status and sex. Age (Dordr). 2013;35(2):395-405. doi:10.1007/s11357-011-9345-y Additional Reading Freitas RP, Lemos TM, Spyrides MH, Sousa MB. Influence of cortisol and DHEA-S on pain and other symptoms in post menopausal women with fibromyalgia. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2012;25(4):245-52. doi:10.3233/BMR-2012-0331. Gómez-Santos C, Hernández-Morante JJ, Tébar FJ, et al. Differential effect of oral dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate on metabolic syndrome features in pre- and postmenopausal obese women. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2012;77(4):548-54. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04306.x. Panjari M, Davis SR. DHEA for postmenopausal women: a review of the evidence. Maturitas. 2010;66(2):172-9. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.12.017 By Megan Nunn, PharmD Megan Nunn, PharmD, is a community pharmacist in Tennessee with over twelve years of experience in medication counseling and immunization. Originally written by Cathy Wong Cathy Wong Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit