What Is DHEA Used For and Should You Take It?

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is critical to the production of estrogen and testosterone.

DHEA supplements are commonly used to improve aging skin, treat painful sex after menopause, preserve bone mass, and alleviate depression. However, there isn't strong evidence to support some of these claimed benefits.

The DHEA in supplements is derived from a yam steroid called diosgenin. DHEA supplements come in many forms, including capsules, tablets, liquids, topical creams, and intravaginal suppositories. When taken as an oral supplement, DHEA dosage is typically between 30 and 50 milligrams (mg) daily.

Uses

The body uses DHEA to produce estrogen and testosterone, hormones that decline as people age. While the evidence supporting the benefits of DHEA supplements is limited, research suggests they may be helpful for the following:

• Aging skin: Research suggests that DHEA can help reduce or even reverse thinning skin, also known as skin atrophy. This may be because DHEA boosts estrogen and testosterone, which in turn stimulate the production of skin-plumping collagen.
• Pain during sex: In clinical studies, a DHEA vaginal suppository called Intrarosa was proven to decrease vaginal dryness and pain during sex in menopausal women.
• Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a decrease in bone mass and density that is often due in part to drops in estrogen. A review of studies in Gynecology and Endocrinology found that DHEA supplements helped increase bone mineral density in the hip and thigh bones of females.
• Depression: DHEA may help some people with clinical depression. A 2020 research review found that DHEA had more of a positive effect on people with depression than a placebo, but not enough of a benefit to yet recommend it as a treatment.
• Fertility with IVF: A small study involving 77 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) reported that those over the age of 38 who took DHEA supplements were more likely to get pregnant than those who did not take the supplement. And a research 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.
  

Additional Uses of DHEA

Some people use DHEA supplements for the following, but there's no scientific evidence proving they're effective:

• Bodybuilding and sports: DHEA supplements are frequently marketed as testosterone boosters that can help increase muscle mass, reduce fat, and improve athletic performance—but there is no solid evidence supporting these claims. Even so, groups like the International Olympic Committee, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibit the use of DHEA by athletes.
• Heart disease: Low levels of DHEAs in the blood are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. However, there isn't yet research that shows that supplementing with DHEA reduces this risk or is safe.
• Treatment for chronic disease: DHEA has been studied as a treatment for lupus, adrenal insufficiency, irritable bowel disease, and asthma. However, there is no research that proves it boosts immunity or effectively treats these conditions.

DHEA Dosage

While there isn't a standard DHEA dosage, studies have found the following amounts to be safe:

• Oral DHEA: 30 to 50 mg taken once daily by mouth
• Intrarose (prasterone): 0.25% to 1% applied once daily for 12 weeks

Side Effects

DHEA is generally regarded as safe when taken at the recommended dosage. While mild, common side effects include:

• Oily skin and acne
• Upset stomach
• Mild vaginal discharge (if using a DHEA vaginal suppository such as Intrarosa)

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)
  

Who Shouldn't Take DHEA

Due to safety concerns, people in the following categories (or who have the following conditions) should not take DHEA:

• Children
• Pregnant and/or nursing women
• History of heart disease or stroke
• Liver disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, blood clotting disorders, and hormonal disorders
• Hormone-sensitive cancer such as prostate, breast, or ovarian
• Psychiatric disorders
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  

Interactions

DHEA supplements should not be taken with the following medications due to the risk of unsafe interactions:

• Treatments for estrogen-sensitive cancers: includes aromatase inhibitors like Arimidex (anastrozole), Aromasin (exemestane), and Femara (letrozole), as well as 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 that affect blood clotting: such as fish oil, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, and ginger
• Antidepressants: including 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 root

Summary

DHEA is a naturally occurring hormone used to produce estrogen and testosterone. DHEA is approved by the FDA as an intravaginal suppository called Intrarosa (prasterone), which alleviates painful intercourse in postmenopausal women.

Research suggests DHEA supplements can help reverse the effects of aging on the skin, prevent osteoporosis, treat depression, and improve fertility during IVF. Some people also believe that DHEA can increase muscle mass, reduce body fat, and boost athletic performance. However, the evidence supporting these claims is weak.