DHEA

DHEA

“In women, dehydroepiandrosterone is an important source
of oestrogens in the body – it provides about 75%
of oestrogens before the menopause, and 100%…”.1

Umbrella

What may the DHEA Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
  • Prasterone
  • Synthetic Versions – Fidelin, Fluasterone, Prastera and Prasterone

Definition

What is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)?

DotS the definition of DHEA may vary. In Dehydroepiandrosterone: What Is Dehydroepiandrosterone? the (United States) You and Your Hormones, an education resource from the Society for Endocrinology’s (NCCIH), definition is:

“Dehydroepiandrosterone is a precursor hormone, which means it has little biological effect on its own, but has powerful effects when converted into other hormones such as testosterone and oestradiol”.2

Oestrogen

What is the association between DHEA and oestrogen?

In Dehydroepiandrosterone: What Is Dehydroepiandrosterone? You and Your Hormones explain:

“In women, dehydroepiandrosterone is an important source of oestrogens in the body – it provides about 75% of oestrogens before the menopause, and 100% of oestrogens in the body after menopause”.3

Women

What is the association between DHEA and women?

In Dehydroepiandrosterone: What happens If I Have Too Little Dehydroepiandrosterone? You and Your Hormones note:

“In women, low levels of dehydroepiandrosterone are associated with low libido, reduced bone mineral density and osteoporosis. However, supplementation with commercially available dehydroepiandrosterone is not recommended as there is concern about numerous possible side-effects”.4

Aging

Is there an association between aging and DHEA?

In DHEA: What the Research Says, dated 20 March 2025, the (United States) Mayo Clinic note:

“Research on DHEA for specific conditions includes:

  • Aging. In theory, taking DHEA supplements to maintain DHEA levels could slow the aging process, possibly improving well-being, cognitive function and body composition. But so far research hasn’t proved this to be true. More studies are needed to better understand whether DHEA supplementation can counteract some of the effects of aging. A small study suggested that taking DHEA supplements might improve skin hydration and firmness, and decrease aging spots in elderly adults”.5

Vaginal Atrophy

How effective is DHEA for the treatment of vaginal atrophy?

In DHEA: What the Research Says the Mayo Clinic also note:

  • “Vaginal atrophy. Limited research suggests that DHEA might improve vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women”.6

On page two in Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Vaginal Hormone Therapy the Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) includes:

  • “Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA; prasterone) is a hormone-containing insert placed in the vagina nightly that reduces vaginal dryness or pain with sexual activity”.7

Postmenopausal Sexual Dysfunction

How effective is DHEA for the treatment of postmenopausal sexual dysfunction?

In The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – Considerations for All Women At Menopause: Menopausal Hormone Therapy, published online 30 October 2023, the authors explain:

“With respect to androgen therapy, the Global Consensus Position Statement advises the following:

  • Oral DHEA is not effective for the treatment of postmenopausal sexual dysfunction. In addition, systemic DHEA has not been found to be clinically beneficial for the treatment or prevention of any other symptoms or conditions”.8

Dietary Supplement

Is DHEA available as a dietary supplement?

DotC (Depending on the Country) DHEA may be available as a dietary supplement. In DHEA: Overview the Mayo Clinic explain:

“A synthetic version of DHEA is available as a tablet, capsule, powder, topical cream and gel”.9

Safe or Not

Are DHEA supplements safe?

In DHEA: Safety and Side Effects the Mayo Clinic explain the safety and side effects of DHEA and elaborate on possible medication interactions.

In The Utilization of Dehydroepiandrosterone As A Sexual Hormone Precursor In Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women: An Overview: 6. Conclusions, published online 29 December 2021, the authors elaborate on:

“By focusing on anti-aging properties of DHEA, it may be appealing to take DHEA during midlife or late life since this hormone is sold over the counter and on the internet. However, DHEA supplements for both premenopausal and postmenopausal women are not advised due to unknown long-term effects. DHEA is a precursor for many androgenic and estrogenic entities, and its metabolic pathways may differ between genders and among ages. The efficacy of DHEA has been studied in inadequate sample sizes, thus yielding inconsistent results in postmenopausal women. Therefore, large-scale randomized, controlled trials, with comparable dosages and adequate treatment durations are warranted to further understand the risks and benefits of DHEA, and draw reliable conclusions”.10

Health Care Provider

What if I choose to use DHEA supplements?

If you choose to use DHEA supplements it may be in your best interest to also choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

The Mayo Clinic note:

“While some research suggests that DHEA might be slightly helpful in treating depression and vaginal atrophy, there’s little evidence to support anti-aging claims. Also, DHEA use can cause serious side effects. Avoid using this supplement”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to DHEA?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to DHEA?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

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  42. Lack of Evidence Supporting DHEA for Improved Overall Health for Women
  43. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP] [Other Languages and Formats]
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Dehydroepiandrosterone: What Is Dehydroepiandrosterone? Last Reviewed: June 2020. You and Your Hormones https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/dehydroepiandrosterone/ Accessed: 04 May 2026
  2. Dehydroepiandrosterone: What Is Dehydroepiandrosterone? Last Reviewed: June 2020. You and Your Hormones https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/dehydroepiandrosterone/ Accessed: 04 May 2026
  3. Dehydroepiandrosterone: What Is Dehydroepiandrosterone? Last Reviewed: June 2020. You and Your Hormones https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/dehydroepiandrosterone/ Accessed: 04 May 2026
  4. Dehydroepiandrosterone: What happens If I Have Too Little Dehydroepiandrosterone? Last Reviewed: June 2020. You and Your Hormones https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/dehydroepiandrosterone/ Accessed: 04 May 2026
  5. DHEA: What the Research Says. 20 March 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-dhea/art-20364199 Accessed: 04 May 2026
  6. DHEA: What the Research Says. 20 March 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-dhea/art-20364199 Accessed: 04 May 2026
  7. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Vaginal Hormone Therapy. 2025:2. The Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/for-women/MenoNote-GSM.pdf Accessed: 04 May 2026
  8. Davis, S. R., Taylor, S., Hemachandra, C., Magraith, K., Ebeling, P. R., Jane, F., and Islam, R. M. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – Considerations for All Women At Menopause: Menopausal Hormone Therapy. First Published Online: 30 October 2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2023.2258783 Accessed: 04 May 2026
  9. DHEA: Overview. 20 March 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-dhea/art-20364199 Accessed: 04 May 2026
  10. Tang, J., Chen, L-R., and Chen,K-H. The Utilization of Dehydroepiandrosterone As A Sexual Hormone Precursor In Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women: An Overview: 6. Conclusions. Published Online: 29 December 2021 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8781653/ Accessed: 04 May 2026
  11. DHEA: Our Take – Avoid. 20 March 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-dhea/art-20364199 Accessed: 04 May 2026
Topic Last Updated: 04 May 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 04 May 2026

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