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What is DHEA?

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a medication as well as over-the-counter dietary supplement which is used to correct DHEA deficiency due to adrenal insufficiency or old age, as a component of bioidentical hormone therapy, to treat painful sexual intercourse due to vaginal atrophy, and to prepare the cervix for childbirth, among other uses. It is taken by mouth, by application to the skin, in through the vagina, or by injection into muscle. 

The compound is a naturally occurring prohormone of androgens and estrogens and hence is an agonist of the androgen and estrogen receptors, the respective biological targets of androgens like testosterone and estrogens like estradiol. A pharmaceutical version called Prasterone also has a variety of activities of its own, including neurosteroid and other activities. 

What are the potential benefits of DHEA therapy?

  • Shifts metabolism from a catabolic (protein breaking down) state to an anabolic (protein building) state.
  • Promotes burning of fat, especially visceral fat.
  • Improves symptoms of severe or difficult depression.
  • Improves energy.
  • Reduces insulin resistance.
  • Enhances the immune response. Activates T-cells.
  • Improves sense of well-being in the elderly.
  • Improves male erectile dysfunction.
  • Increases bone density.
  • Decreases certain cardiovascular risk factors. Specifically, inhibits synthesis of thromboxane A2, plasminogen activator inhibitor, resulting in decreased platelet aggregation. 
  • Has usefulness in treating systemic lupus erythematosus.
  • Reduces triglycerides and total cholesterol.
  • Reduces oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
  • Has antioxidant activity.
  • Raises IFG-1 levels (a marker of Growth Hormone.)

What else is in the published literature?

  • Low levels predict death from all causes.
  • Level may be a predictor of longevity in men independent of age, blood pressure and plasma glucose.
  • Levels closely correlate with the degenerative changes of aging.
  • Inverse relationship between serum DHEA-S and frequency of cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related disorders, immune function, and progression of HIV infection.
  • As DHEA goes down, cortisol goes up.

What are the potential side effects of DHEA therapy?

Side effects of DHEA in women include oily skin, acne, increased hair growth, voice changes, and increased sexual desire, headaches, insomnia, and others. Please consult your prescribing doctor if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and are concerned.  

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