Premium Nahrungsergänzungsmittel | artgerecht

DHEA – Hormone, Effects and Medical Uses

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It serves as a precursor to estrogen and testosterone and is widely used as a dietary supplement.

Regular tips about health Regular tips about health

Things worth knowing about "Dhea"

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It serves as a precursor to estrogen and testosterone and is widely used as a dietary supplement.

What is DHEA?

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a steroid hormone produced primarily by the adrenal cortex. It is one of the most abundant hormones in the human body and acts as a prohormone -- a precursor to the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone -- making it a key player in hormonal balance.

DHEA levels in the blood peak during a person´s twenties and thirties, then decline steadily with age. By the time a person reaches their seventies or eighties, DHEA levels may be only 10–20% of their youthful peak. This age-related decline has been linked to various aspects of the aging process.

Biological Functions

DHEA plays several important roles in the body:

Precursor for the synthesis of estrogens and androgens (including testosterone)
Modulation of immune system activity
Influence on mood, cognitive function, and overall sense of well-being
Possible role in regulating body fat composition and muscle mass
Involvement in bone metabolism

Medical Uses

DHEA is used in both clinical medicine and as a dietary supplement across several contexts:

Adrenal Insufficiency

In individuals with adrenal insufficiency (e.g., Addison's disease), the body produces significantly less DHEA. Medically supervised DHEA replacement therapy may be prescribed in these cases to improve quality of life, mood, and sexual well-being.

Age-Related Hormonal Changes

Because DHEA declines with age, it is frequently discussed in the context of anti-aging medicine. However, clinical studies have produced mixed results regarding any broad anti-aging benefit.

Vaginal Atrophy

A low-dose, intravaginal DHEA formulation (prasterone) has been approved in several countries for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women.

Fertility and Menopause

In reproductive medicine, DHEA is sometimes used as a supplementary treatment to support egg quality in women with diminished ovarian reserve. The evidence base for this use remains under investigation.

Mechanism of Action

DHEA acts in the body both directly -- through its own receptors -- and indirectly, by being converted in the liver, adipose tissue, and other peripheral tissues into estrogens (e.g., estradiol) and androgens (e.g., testosterone). This tissue-specific conversion is known as intracrine action and allows DHEA to exert sex hormone effects locally within various target tissues.

Dosage and Administration

DHEA is available without a prescription as a dietary supplement in some countries (e.g., the United States), while in others (e.g., Germany) it is prescription-only or not approved for over-the-counter use. Typical supplementation doses range from 25 mg to 100 mg per day, though the optimal dose varies considerably between individuals and should be determined in consultation with a healthcare provider.

Self-supplementation without medical supervision is not recommended, as DHEA is converted into active sex hormones and can produce significant hormonal effects throughout the body.

Side Effects and Risks

Potential side effects of DHEA supplementation include:

Acne and oily skin
Hair loss (androgenic)
Mood changes or irritability
Increased aggression at high doses
Possible stimulation of hormone-sensitive tumors (e.g., breast or prostate cancer)
Changes in blood lipid levels

Individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions, liver or kidney disease, and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid DHEA supplementation.

References

Baulieu EE et al. - Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate, and aging. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2000.
Labrie F - DHEA, important source of sex steroids in men and even more in women. Progress in Brain Research, 2010.
Arlt W - Dehydroepiandrosterone and ageing. Best Practice and Research Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2004.

Building Blocks for a Healthy Life

As an integrated manufacturer, we develop & produce evidence-based, patented, and non-patented formulations. We work exclusively with plant and natural extracts according to the strictest purity & quality standards.
The combination of science & modern technology with the laws of nature creates solutions consistently tailored to humans – for the highest good: health.

Most read entries

3 Posts in this encyclopedia category