Supplements Dietary Supplements What Is DHEA? DHEA may help fight depression, osteoporosis, 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 May 16, 2023 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 Interactions FAQs Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is sold in supplement form. The body uses DHEA to produce the female and male sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. As you age, levels of both start to decline, eventually measuring one-tenth to one-twentieth of what would be seen in a 25-year-old. By taking DHEA in supplement form, some experts believe that you may be able to slow aging, increase muscle mass, improve fertility, or treat medical conditions like osteoporosis and depression. Clinical studies supporting these claims are generally weak. This article explores the possible benefits and risks of taking DHEA supplements, including side effects and drug interactions. It also offers tips on how to DHEA supplements safely. Supplement Facts Active ingredient: DehydroepiandrosteroneAlternate names: 3b-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one, 3β-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one, androstenolone, prasteroneLegal status: Used an over-the-counter (OTC) supplement and approved by the FDA for the prescription drug Intrarosa (prasterone)Safety considerations: Contraindicated for use in children, pregnant or nursing people, and people with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers What Is DHEA Used For? Although DHEA is purported to treat or prevent many unrelated medical conditions, the evidence supporting the benefit of DHEA supplements is limited. Here is what some of the latest clinical research suggests: Aging Skin In theory, taking DHEA could slow aging by restoring estrogen and testosterone levels to where they were in your 20s. Both are known to stimulate the production of collagen in the skin. By doing so, the skin may be plumper and have far few wrinkles. Some studies have suggested that DHEA supplements may help reduce or even reverse thinning skin, also known as skin atrophy. With that said, the studies are generally small—often as small as a single case study—making it hard to draw a reasonable conclusion. A 2014 review in the journal Drugs could find no clear evidence of an anti-aging effect but stated that large-scale trials could help "support the notion that DHEA is not just an overrated dietary supplement." Pain During Sex In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a form of DHEA called Intrarosa (prasterone). This vaginal suppository is applied daily to reduce pain during sex in postmenopausal women. In clinical studies, Intrarosa has proven to effectively decrease vaginal dryness and pain during sex without causing significant side effects. Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is the thinning of bones common in postmenopausal women due to steep drops in estrogen. By restoring estrogen levels, osteoporosis can hypothetically be delayed, prevented, or minimized by DHEA. To date, studies evaluating the benefits of DHEA in people with osteoporosis have yielded mixed results. A 2019 review of studies in Gynecology and Endocrinology suggests that DHEA may increase bone mineral density in the hip and thigh bones of females. This effect seemed to increase with the size of the dose. Even so, not everyone on treatment showed improvement, and no benefits were reported in males. More research is needed. Depression DHEA may help some people with clinical depression. A 2020 review of 15 randomized controlled studies concluded that DHEA had more of a positive effect on people with depression than a sham drug but not enough to recommend it as a treatment. The researchers reported that the quality of the studies was generally low. Infertility A 2021 study involving 77 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) reported that those over the age of 38 given DHEA supplements were more likely to get pregnant than those who weren't. The findings were limited by the small study size and the fact that only 20 of the 77 participants received DHEA. No effect was seen in women under 38. A 2015 review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews concluded that DHEA may improve the birth rate in females who do not initially respond to IVF but that no other groups seemed to benefit. Other Uses DHEA has been studied in the treatment of many unrelated conditions, including lupus, adrenal insufficiency, irritable bowel disease, and asthma. Trials to date have been small, and the results have been inconclusive. DHEA is said by some to improve sports performance, treat sexual dysfunction, and bolster the immune system. These claims are not supported by research. DHEA supplements are frequently marketed as testosterone boosters that can help increase muscle mass and reduce fat. Despite aggressive marketing, no solid evidence of this has been found. DHEA has not been approved by the FDA for treating any medical condition with the exception of Intrarose (prasterone) used to treat painful intercourse in post-menopausal females. What Are the Side Effects of DHEA? As will all supplements, DHEA can cause side effects. The main concern is the effect that it may have on estrogen or testosterone levels. Raising these hormones may have adverse effects. Even so, DHEA is generally regarded as safe when taken at doses of 50 mg daily in adults. Higher doses may not be as safe. Common side effects of DHEA include: Oily skinAcneUpset stomach When taken at high doses or for longer periods of time, DHEA may cause: Male-pattern hair loss Abnormal hair growth (hirsutism) Abnormal breast growth in males (gynecomastia) Among people who use Intrarosa vaginal suppositories, the most common side effect was a mild vaginal discharge. How to Choose Supplements Dietary supplements are not strictly regulated in the United States. To better ensure purity, opt for brands that have been independently tested by a third-party certifying body like the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLabs, or NSF International.Certification does not mean the supplement is safe or effective. It simply means that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the product label in the stated amount and with no contaminants or impurities. Precautions for Taking DHEA There are certain groups in whom DHEA should be used with caution or avoided entirely: Children and pregnant or nursing people should not take DHEA supplements due to the lack of safety research. People with a history of heart disease or stroke should avoid DHEA supplements. People with liver disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, blood clotting disorders, and hormonal disorders should only use DHEA under the supervision of a healthcare provider. People with hormone-sensitive cancers such as prostate, breast, or ovarian should not take DHEA. High DHEA blood levels have been linked to psychotic behaviors. People with psychiatric disorders should only use DHEA under the supervision of a healthcare provider. DHEA may worsen symtoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and may need to be avoided. Athletes who use DHEA can be eliminated from sports competitions according to regulations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). DHEA Dosage: How Much Should I Take? DHEA supplements are available in many forms, including capsules, tablets, liquids, tinctures, topical creams, and intravaginal suppositories. The DHEA used for supplements is manufactured in the lab from wild yams. Yams contain a plant-based steroid called diosgenin, which can be converted in the lab into DHEA. There is no recommended dosage for oral DHEA supplements. Studies have found the following dosages to be safe and tolerable: Oral DHEA: 30 to 50 mg taken once daily by mouthIntrarose (prasterone): 0.25% to 1% applied once daily for 12 weeks As a general rule, do not exceed the recommended dose on the product label. DHEA should be stored at room temperature and discarded by the expiration date. Are There Interactions With Medications? DHEA supplements should not be taken with the following drugs due to the risk of interactions: Medicines used to treat estrogen-sensitive cancers: Including aromatase inhibitors like Arimidex (anastrozole), Aromasin (exemestane), and Femara (letrozole) and estrogen-receptor agonists like Faslodex (fulvestrant) and Nolvadex (tamoxifen) Blood thinners: Including aspirin, heparin, warfarin, Plavix (clopidogrel), Eliquis (apixaban), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) and Celebrex (diclofenac) Herbal supplements affect blood clotting: Including fish oil, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, and ginger Antidepressants: Includng Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Celexa (citalopram), Cymbalta (duloxetine), and others Drugs broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP450: Including Depakote (valproic acid), Mevacor (lovastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Nizoral (ketoconazole), Viagra (sildenafil), Halcion (triazolam), and many others. Licorice: Which can increase DHEA levels along with the risk of side effects Advise your healthcare provider if you intend to use DHEA for any reason. To avoid interactions, provide them a list of any drugs you take, including pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, herbal, homeopathic, and recreational drugs. Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak Summary DHEA is a naturally occurring hormone used to produce estrogen and testosterone. DHEA is also sold as a supplement, which some experts believe can reverse aging, treat osteoporosis and infertility, increase muscle mass, and promote weight loss. To date, the evidence supporting these claims is weak. The one approved use of DHEA is an intravaginal suppository called Intrarosa (prasterone) used to treat painful intercourse in postmenopausal women. 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) 14 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. MedlinePlus. DHEA. 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 Peixoto C, Grande AJ, Carrilho CG, Nardi AE, Cardoso A, Veras AB. 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 Daniell HW. Oral dehydroepiandrosterone might prevent frequent tears in atrophic skin: a case report. JAAD Case Rep. 2017 Nov;3(6):534–5. doi:10.1016/j.jdcr.2017.09.019 U.S. 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 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. doi:10.3390/nu13072449 Nagels HE, Rishworth JR, Siristatidis CS, Kroon B. Androgens (dehydroepiandrosterone or testosterone) for women undergoing assisted reproduction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Nov 26;(11):CD009749. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009749.pub2 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 U,S. Food and Drug Administration. Intrarosa (prasterone) vaginal inserts. 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