What are DHEA’s main benefits?

    Researchedby:
    Pierre-Alexandre Sicart
    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    The strongest evidence for DHEA is for increasing estrogens and androgens (e.g., testosterone) in women over 60, and for improving postmenopausal symptoms.[1][2][3] However, DHEA might also increase testosterone levels in younger (<60 years old) populations.[1] While the evidence that DHEA supplementation increases androgens is fairly consistent,[4][3][5][6] the evidence that DHEA supplementation increases estrogens is as consistent, if not more so.[3][5][6] However, these androgen and estrogen increases tend to be small; DHEA supplementation has had no clinical effect on muscle strength, muscle size, fat loss,[7][8][9] or sexual function in older men.[5]