DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)

Also known as: 7-keto DHEA (related compound), DHEA, DHEA-S (sulfate form), dehydroepiandrosterone, prasterone

Hormone RestorationWellness

In plain English

DHEA is a hormone made by the adrenal glands that the body converts into other sex hormones (like testosterone and estrogen). Its levels fall with age, which is why it is used in wellness and hormone-support programs. The clearest, proven benefit is replacing it in people whose adrenal glands don't make enough (adrenal insufficiency), where it improved wellbeing in trials. Broad "anti-aging" benefits in healthy people are much less certain. Because it converts to sex hormones, it is not appropriate for hormone-sensitive cancers and can cause acne, hair changes, and hormonal side effects.

The science

DHEA and its sulfate (DHEAS) are the most abundant circulating steroids and serve as precursors for intracellular (intracrine) production of androgens and estrogens in peripheral tissues. In women with normal adrenal function, randomized trials and meta-analysis (e.g., Panjari 2009; Elraiyah 2014) do not show consistent benefit of oral DHEA for libido, well-being, or menopausal symptoms; benefit is more plausible in adrenal insufficiency. By contrast, intravaginal DHEA (prasterone 6.5 mg) is FDA-approved for moderate-to-severe dyspareunia of genitourinary syndrome of menopause, acting locally with minimal change in serum steroids. Oral DHEA is a dietary supplement (not FDA-approved as a drug); androgenic side effects (acne, hirsutism) can occur, and it can raise downstream sex-steroid levels. The related compound 7-keto-DHEA (appearing in one VPI capsule combination) is a non-androgenic metabolite marketed for metabolism with weak human evidence.

References

• Panjari et al., J Sex Med 2009 (oral DHEA RCT in postmenopausal women)
• Elraiyah et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2014 (systematic review/meta-analysis)
• Labrie et al., Menopause 2016 (intravaginal prasterone for dyspareunia RCT)
• Arlt W et al., N Engl J Med 1999 (DHEA replacement in women with adrenal insufficiency)
• Morales AJ et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1994 (replacement-dose DHEA in advancing age)