DHEA

    Written by:
    Nick Milazzo, Peter Woznik

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Nick Milazzo
    Last Updated: June 20, 2024

    DHEA is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It’s a precursor to (i.e., is made into) estrogen and testosterone, and can exert weak benefits on its own. As an “antiaging” or performance enhancing supplement, its benefits are inconsistent.

    Overview

    Dosage information

    DHEA has been studied at dosages of 25–200 mg/day, with dosages of 50–100 mg/day being more frequently examined.[1][2][3]

    A subgroup analysis in one meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that dosages of over 50 mg/day resulted in higher testosterone levels than less than 50 mg/day.[2] However higher dosages of DHEA are likely to result in higher levels of estrogens as well.[4]

    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

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    Research written by

    Nick Milazzo

    Examine Database References

    1. Cognitive Decline - Muller M, van den Beld AW, van der Schouw YT, Grobbee DE, Lamberts SWEffects of dehydroepiandrosterone and atamestane supplementation on frailty in elderly menJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2006 Oct)
    2. Estrogen - Kenny AM, Boxer RS, Kleppinger A, Brindisi J, Feinn R, Burleson JADehydroepiandrosterone combined with exercise improves muscle strength and physical function in frail older womenJ Am Geriatr Soc.(2010 Sep)
    3. Power Output - Percheron G, Hogrel JY, Denot-Ledunois S, Fayet G, Forette F, Baulieu EE, Fardeau M, Marini JF; Double-blind placebo-controlled trialEffect of 1-year oral administration of dehydroepiandrosterone to 60- to 80-year-old individuals on muscle function and cross-sectional area: a double-blind placebo-controlled trialArch Intern Med.(2003 Mar 24)
    4. Estrogen - Jedrzejuk D, Medras M, Milewicz A, Demissie MDehydroepiandrosterone replacement in healthy men with age-related decline of DHEA-S: effects on fat distribution, insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolismAging Male.(2003 Sep)
    5. Serum DHEA - Wallace MB, Lim J, Cutler A, Bucci LEffects of dehydroepiandrosterone vs androstenedione supplementation in menMed Sci Sports Exerc.(1999 Dec)
    6. Muscle Mass - Jankowski CM, Gozansky WS, Van Pelt RE, Wolfe P, Schwartz RS, Kohrt WMOral dehydroepiandrosterone replacement in older adults: effects on central adiposity, glucose metabolism and blood lipidsClin Endocrinol (Oxf).(2011 Oct)
    7. Bone Mineral Density - von Mühlen D, Laughlin GA, Kritz-Silverstein D, Bergstrom J, Bettencourt REffect of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation on bone mineral density, bone markers, and body composition in older adults: the DAWN trialOsteoporos Int.(2008 May)
    8. Estrogen - Martina V, Benso A, Gigliardi VR, Masha A, Origlia C, Granata R, Ghigo EShort-term dehydroepiandrosterone treatment increases platelet cGMP production in elderly male subjectsClin Endocrinol (Oxf).(2006 Mar)
    9. Blood glucose - Kawano H, Yasue H, Kitagawa A, Hirai N, Yoshida T, Soejima H, Miyamoto S, Nakano M, Ogawa HDehydroepiandrosterone supplementation improves endothelial function and insulin sensitivity in menJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2003 Jul)
    10. Muscle Mass - Abrams DI, Shade SB, Couey P, McCune JM, Lo J, Bacchetti P, Chang B, Epling L, Liegler T, Grant RMDehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) effects on HIV replication and host immunity: a randomized placebo-controlled studyAIDS Res Hum Retroviruses.(2007 Jan)
    11. Stress Signs and Symptoms - Taylor MK, Padilla GA, Stanfill KE, Markham AE, Khosravi JY, Ward MD, Koehler MMEffects of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation during stressful military training: a randomized, controlled, double-blind field studyStress.(2012 Jan)
    12. Libido - Dayal M, Sammel MD, Zhao J, Hummel AC, Vandenbourne K, Barnhart KTSupplementation with DHEA: effect on muscle size, strength, quality of life, and lipidsJ Womens Health (Larchmt).(2005 Jun)
    13. IGF-1 - Igwebuike A, Irving BA, Bigelow ML, Short KR, McConnell JP, Nair KSLack of dehydroepiandrosterone effect on a combined endurance and resistance exercise program in postmenopausal womenJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2008 Feb)
    14. Estrogen - Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Sharp RL, Reifenrath TA, Parsons KA, King DSEffect of oral DHEA on serum testosterone and adaptations to resistance training in young menJ Appl Physiol.(1999 Dec)
    15. Estrogen - Ostojic SM, Calleja J, Jourkesh MEffects of short-term dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation on body composition in young athletesChin J Physiol.(2010 Feb 28)
    16. Serum DHEA - Liu TC, Lin CH, Huang CY, Ivy JL, Kuo CHEffect of acute DHEA administration on free testosterone in middle-aged and young men following high-intensity interval trainingEur J Appl Physiol.(2013 Feb 17)
    17. Estrogen - Kahn AJ, Halloran B, Wolkowitz O, Brizendine LDehydroepiandrosterone supplementation and bone turnover in middle-aged to elderly menJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2002 Apr)
    18. Estrogen - Weiss EP, Shah K, Fontana L, Lambert CP, Holloszy JO, Villareal DTDehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy in older adults: 1- and 2-y effects on boneAm J Clin Nutr.(2009 May)
    19. Bone Mineral Density - Lin H, Li L, Wang Q, Wang Y, Wang J, Long XA systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials of DHEA supplementation of bone mineral density in healthy adults.Gynecol Endocrinol.(2019-Nov)
    20. Testosterone - Yamada S, Akishita M, Fukai S, Ogawa S, Yamaguchi K, Matsuyama J, Kozaki K, Toba K, Ouchi YEffects of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation on cognitive function and activities of daily living in older women with mild to moderate cognitive impairmentGeriatr Gerontol Int.(2010 Oct)
    21. Subjective Well-Being - Kritz-Silverstein D, von Mühlen D, Laughlin GA, Bettencourt REffects of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation on cognitive function and quality of life: the DHEA and Well-Ness (DAWN) TrialJ Am Geriatr Soc.(2008 Jul)
    22. Cortisol - Parsons TD, Kratz KM, Thompson E, Stanczyk FZ, Buckwalter JGDhea supplementation and cognition in postmenopausal womenInt J Neurosci.(2006 Feb)
    23. Growth Hormone - Libè R, Barbetta L, Dall'Asta C, Salvaggio F, Gala C, Beck-Peccoz P, Ambrosi BEffects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on hormonal, metabolic and behavioral status in patients with hypoadrenalismJ Endocrinol Invest.(2004 Sep)
    24. Testosterone - Morales A, Black A, Emerson L, Barkin J, Kuzmarov I, Day AAndrogens and sexual function: a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study of testosterone vs. dehydroepiandrosterone in men with sexual dysfunction and androgen deficiencyAging Male.(2009 Dec)
    25. Fibromyalgia Symptoms - Axel Finckh, Isabelle Carey Berner, Bérengère Aubry-Rozier, Alexander Kai-Lik SoA randomized controlled trial of dehydroepiandrosterone in postmenopausal women with fibromyalgiaJ Rheumatol.(2005 Jul)
    26. Fertility - David Barad, Norbert GleicherEffect of dehydroepiandrosterone on oocyte and embryo yields, embryo grade and cell number in IVFHum Reprod.(2006 Nov)
    27. Fertility - Wiser A, Gonen O, Ghetler Y, Shavit T, Berkovitz A, Shulman AAddition of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for poor-responder patients before and during IVF treatment improves the pregnancy rate: a randomized prospective studyHum Reprod.(2010 Oct)