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What is D.H.E.A and why should you Focus on your Hormones

Writer: Healthy FoxHealthy Fox
Feb 45 min read

Updated: Feb 8

“DHEA is vital for hormonal health as it’s integral for the production of all other vital sex hormones. DHEA slowly begins to slow production as we get older, or can begin to greatly decrease due to things like stress. Small amounts of supplemented DHEA can be a great boost for people to feel young again, or even just jumpstart overall vitality, energy and libido.”





D.H.E.A™


D.H.E.A: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone crucial for the synthesis of important hormones that influence aging, energy, stress response, mood, muscle integrity, and fat reduction. Available in 25 mg capsules in 60-capsule bottles, DHEA is micronized for better absorption. It is primarily produced by the adrenal glands, with smaller amounts coming from the ovaries/testes, brain, and other tissues. DHEA is synthesized from cholesterol in a pathway as follows: Acetyl-CoA → Cholesterol → Pregnenolone → DHEA → DHEA-S. A large portion of DHEA in the body is derived from adrenal synthesis, regulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and is influenced by factors like stress and corticosteroid use¹.


Age-related decline in DHEA levels starts around age 30, and its secretion decreases significantly post-menopause. Exogenous DHEA can support hormone production and alleviate menopause symptoms, improve mood, libido, bone health, and help reduce hot flashes. DHEA supplementation has been shown to increase hip and trochanter bone mineral density and boost insulin-like growth factor 1 in healthy women compared to a placebo²,³.


DHEA may benefit:

  • Weight management

  • Stress support

  • Mood improvement

  • Sexual & reproductive health

  • Menopause/perimenopause symptoms

  • Cognitive health

  • Sustained energy


Studies show DHEA supplementation improves IVF/ICSI outcomes in women with poor ovarian reserves by increasing retrieved oocytes, pregnancy rates, and live birth rates⁴. In men, higher DHEA and testosterone levels are associated with better sexual health and reduced age-related erectile dysfunction (ED). DHEA has been shown to enhance endothelial function, increase nitric oxide (NO) production, and improve blood vessel dilation⁵.


Brain and Cognitive Health: DHEA and its sulfate form, DHEA-S, are neurosteroids involved in neuroplasticity, cognition, memory, and neurogenesis. Research has demonstrated that DHEA-S levels are significantly lower in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients compared to healthy controls, suggesting that DHEA-S has neuroprotective effects⁶. Additionally, supplementation of DHEA has shown significant reductions in depressive symptoms, supporting its role in mood enhancement⁷,⁸. DHEA also helps in alleviating stress by reducing cortisol levels and providing neuroprotective effects in stress-related conditions⁹.


Cardiometabolic Health: DHEA stimulates fat metabolism, reduces abdominal fat, and supports lean body mass, which contributes to improved metabolic rate. A systematic review of 25 RCTs concluded that DHEA supplementation significantly reduces total fat mass in elderly men¹⁰. Low DHEA and DHEA-S levels are linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD), atherosclerosis, and mortality. DHEA supplementation improves insulin sensitivity, vasodilation, and reduces plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1, supporting its anti-atherosclerotic properties¹¹. Animal studies show DHEA and DHEA-S improve insulin sensitivity and pancreatic insulin secretion in models of diabetes and obesity¹².


Immune Function: DHEA helps regulate immune responses, promoting Th1 differentiation and suppressing type 2 immune responses. Lower DHEA levels are seen in patients with allergic diseases, such as asthma, which suggests that DHEA plays a role in modulating allergic reactions and stress-induced exacerbations¹³.

Contraindications: DHEA supplementation may be contraindicated in conditions like PCOS, hirsutism, acne, and hormone-sensitive cancers (e.g., breast, prostate). It should be avoided in premenopausal women unless DHEA levels are confirmed to be deficient, as it may interfere with ovulation and fertility. DHEA supplementation should be monitored by a healthcare provider with regular lab testing for baseline and ongoing hormone levels, including DHEA, testosterone, estradiol, and estrone¹⁴,¹⁵.


  1. Traish, A. M., Kang, H. P., Saad, F., & Guay, A. T. (2011). Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - A precursor or an active hormone in human physiology (CME). The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 8(11), 2960-2982. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02523.x


  2. Labrie, F., Bélanger, A., Pelletier, G., Martel, C., Archer, D. F., & Utian, W. H. (2017). Science of intracrinology in postmenopausal women. Menopause, 24(6), 702–712. DOI:10.1097/gme.0000000000000808


  3. Jin, R. O., Mason, S., Mellon, S. H., Epel, E. S., Reus, V. I., Mahan, L., Rosser, R. L., Hough, C. M., Burke, H. M., Mueller, S. G., & Wolkowitz, O. M. (2016). Cortisol/DHEA ratio and hippocampal volume: A pilot study in major depression and healthy controls. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 72, 139–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.06.017


  4. Walther, A., & Seuffert, J. (2020). Testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone treatment in ageing men: Are we all set?. The World Journal of Men's Health, 38(2), 178–190. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.190006


  5. Peixoto, C., Carrilho, C. G., Barros, J. A., Ribeiro, T. T., Silva, L. M., Nardi, A. E., & Veras, A. B. (2017). The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on sexual function: A systematic review. Climacteric: The Journal of the International Menopause Society, 20(2), 129-137. DOI:10.1080/13697137.2017.1279141


  6. Lin, H., Li, L., Wang, Q., Wang, J., & Long, X. (2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo controlled trials of DHEA supplementation of bone mineral density in healthy adults. Gynecological Endocrinology, 35(11), 924-931. DOI:10.1080/09513590.2019.161617


  7. Xu, L., Hu, C., Liu, Q., & Li, Y. (2019). The Effect of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Supplementation on IVF or ICSI: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde, 79(7), 705–712. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0882-3791


  8. Walther, A., Mahler, F., Debelak, R., & Ehlert, U. (2017). Psychobiological protective factors modifying the association between age and sexual health in men: Findings from the men's health 40+ study. American Journal of Men's Health, 11(3), 737–747. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988316689238


  9. El-Sakka, A. I. (2018). Dehydroepiandrosterone and erectile function: A review. The World Journal of Men's Health, 36(3), 183–191. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.180005


  10. Pan, X., Wu, X., Kaminga, A. C., Wen, S. W., & Liu, A. (2019). Dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 11, 61. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2019.00061


  11. Peixoto, C., Grande, A. J., Mallmann, M. B., Nardi, A. E., Cardoso, A., & Veras, A. B. (2018). Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. CNS & Neurological Disorders and Drug Targets, 17(9), 706-711. DOI:10.2174/1871527317666180817153914


  12. Peixoto, C., Devicari Cheda, J. N., Nardi, A. E., Veras, A. B., & Cardoso, A. (2014). The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the treatment of depression and depressive symptoms in other psychiatric and medical illnesses: A systematic review. Current Drug Targets, 15(9), 901-914. DOI:10.2174/1389450115666140717111116


  13. Corona, G., Rastrelli, G., Giagulli, V. A., Sila, A., Sforza, A., Forti, G., & Maggi, M. (2013). Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in elderly men: A meta-analysis study of placebo-controlled trials. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 98(9), 3615-3626. DOI:10.1210/jc.2013-1358


  14. Wu, T. T., Chen, Y., Zhou, Y., Adi, D., Zheng, Y. Y., Liu, F., Ma, Y. T., & Xie, X. (2017). Prognostic Value of Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate for Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the American Heart Association, 6(5), e004896. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.116.004896


  15. Aoki, K., & Terauchi, Y. (2018). Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on diabetes mellitus and obesity. Vitamins and Hormones, 108, 355-365. DOI:10.1016/bs.vh.2018.01.008


  16. N., Hoashi, T., & Saeki, H. (2019). The roles of sex hormones in the course of atopic dermatitis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(19), 4660. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20194660

 
 
 

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