DHEA
Hormone ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Adrenal hormone precursor that declines with age and can raise downstream androgen and estrogen activity. Use should be guided by labs and clinician oversight, especially in hormone-sensitive or medication-treated contexts.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
DHEA is a hormone most often used for hormonal balance, age-related hormone support (clinician-guided), bone density support. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 25-50 mg daily, commonly taken as micronized dhea. This profile indexes 22 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: hormonal balance, age-related hormone support (clinician-guided), bone density support. 22 sources indexed (1997–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Converted to testosterone and estrogen through peripheral steroidogenic pathways. DHEA can activate PXR and CAR signaling and induce CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2B6, creating drug-interaction potential.4,5
Dosing & protocol.
Take in the morning with food (mimics natural circadian pattern)5,6
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Micronized DHEA.
Assumes 25-50 mg/day. Vendor basis: Life Extension, iHerb, Vitacost, and Amazon marketplace; DHEA is low cost but should be lab-guided. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
DHEA is an endogenous steroid hormone; foods do not provide meaningful DHEA doses.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Mood changes
- Androgenic effects such as hirsutism or voice changes
- May raise testosterone or estrogen levels
- CYP enzyme induction drug interactions
Contraindications
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
9- 1A systematic review of the impact of 7-keto-DHEA on body weightPMIDJeyaprakash N, Maeder S, Janka H et al. · Archives of gynecology and obstetrics · 2023
Jeyaprakash N, Maeder S, Janka H et al.. A systematic review of the impact of 7-keto-DHEA on body weight. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics. 2023
- 2Endogenous dehydroepiandrosterone and depression in postmenopausal women: a systematic review of observational studiesPMIDHemachandra C, Davis SR, Bell RJ et al. · Menopause (New York, N.Y.) · 2023
Hemachandra C, Davis SR, Bell RJ et al.. Endogenous dehydroepiandrosterone and depression in postmenopausal women: a systematic review of observational studies. Menopause (New York, N.Y.). 2023
- 3Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Supplementation in Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic ReviewPMIDSkare TL, Hauz E, de Carvalho JF · Mediterranean journal of rheumatology · 2023
Skare TL, Hauz E, de Carvalho JF. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Supplementation in Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Review. Mediterranean journal of rheumatology. 2023
- 4Impact of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on testosterone concentrations and BMI in elderly women: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDPeixoto C et al. · Exp Gerontol · 2020
DHEA supplementation impacted serum testosterone levels and lean body mass in elderly women across nine study arms with 793 subjects.
- 5A dose-response and meta-analysis of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on testosterone levels: perinatal prediction of randomized clinical trials.PMIDLi Y, Ren J, Li N, Liu J, Tan SC, Low TY et al. · Experimental Gerontology · 2020
DHEA supplementation produced a significant dose-dependent increase in serum testosterone levels, with effects more pronounced in women than in men.
- 6Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on the lipid profile: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.PMIDQin Y, O Santos H, Khani V, Tan SC, Zhi Y · Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases · 2020
DHEA supplementation significantly reduced triglycerides and increased HDL cholesterol levels, with dose-response analysis showing optimal effects at moderate doses.
- 7A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials of DHEA supplementation of bone mineral density in healthy adultsPMIDJankowski CM et al. · J Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2019
Hip bone mineral density increased significantly in women who took DHEA supplementation compared to placebo.
- 8Clinical review: The benefits and harms of systemic dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in postmenopausal women with normal adrenal function: a systematic review and meta-analysisPMIDElraiyah T et al. · J Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2014
DHEA had no significant effect on serious adverse events, serum lipids, glucose, weight, BMI, or BMD; associated with androgenic side effects in women.
- 9Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in elderly men: a meta-analysis study of placebo-controlled trialsPMIDCorona G et al. · J Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2013
Meta-analysis of 1,353 elderly men: DHEA reduced fat mass but showed no effect on lipid/glycemic metabolism, bone health, sexual function, or quality of life.
Randomized controlled trials
7- 10Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone in Pulmonary Hypertension (EDIPHY): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover TrialPMIDSanders R, Walsh T, Baird GL et al. · medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences · 2025
Sanders R, Walsh T, Baird GL et al.. Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone in Pulmonary Hypertension (EDIPHY): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial. medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences. 2025
- 11DHEA on Sexual Function in Sheehan Syndrome: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Crossover TrialPMIDMandal S, Mukhopadhyay P, Ghosh S · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2022
Mandal S, Mukhopadhyay P, Ghosh S. DHEA on Sexual Function in Sheehan Syndrome: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2022
- 12DHEA replacement for postmenopausal women: placebo or panacea?PMIDEden JA · Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society · 2015
Eden JA. DHEA replacement for postmenopausal women: placebo or panacea?. Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society. 2015
- 13The safety of 52 weeks of oral DHEA therapy for postmenopausal womenPMIDNair KS et al. · Maturitas · 2009
No serious adverse effects were reported in 52 weeks of oral DHEA therapy in postmenopausal women.
- 14DHEA supplementation: a review of the evidence for effects on body composition, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profilesSource linkedPMIDVillareal DT, Holloszy JO · J Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2004
- 15Effect of DHEA on abdominal fat and insulin action in elderly women and men: a randomized controlled trialSource linkedPMIDVillareal DT, Holloszy JO · JAMA · 2004
- 16Activation of immune function by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in age-advanced menPMIDKhorram O et al. · J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci · 1997
Oral DHEA 50 mg/day significantly activated immune function; NK cell numbers increased 22-37% with 45% increase in cytotoxicity over 18-20 weeks.
Reviews & position papers
5- 17The 2026 Prohibited ListURLWorld Anti-Doping Agency · World Anti-Doping Agency · 2026
The 2026 WADA prohibited list includes prasterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA, under anabolic androgenic steroids.
- 18Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause in Breast Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Survivors: Retrospective Analysis of Efficacy and Safety of Vaginal Estriol, Vaginal Dehydroepiandrosterone and OspemifenePMIDPennacchini E, Dall'Alba R, Iapaolo S et al. · Journal of menopausal medicine · 2024
Pennacchini E, Dall'Alba R, Iapaolo S et al.. Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause in Breast Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Survivors: Retrospective Analysis of Efficacy and Safety of Vaginal Estriol, Vaginal Dehydroepiandrosterone and Ospemifene. Journal of menopausal medicine. 2024
- 19DHEA supplementation: a systematic review of clinical trialsRutkowski K, Sowa P, Rutkowska-Talipska J et al. · J Clin Med · 2014
- 20Dehydroepiandrosterone to enhance physical performance: myth and realityPMIDHahner S, Allolio B · Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America · 2010
Review states DHEA is on the WADA prohibited list and finds little evidence for performance enhancement, while noting androgenic adverse events.
- 21Dietary supplements of dehydroepiandrosterone in relation to breast cancer riskPMIDStoll BA · European Journal of Clinical Nutrition · 1999
Review reports epidemiologic and mechanistic concern that prolonged DHEA intake may promote breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women.
Mechanistic & preclinical
1- 22Dehydroepiandrosterone induces human CYP2B6 through the constitutive androstane receptorPMIDKohalmy K, Tamasi V, Kobori L et al. · Drug Metabolism and Disposition · 2007
Human hepatocyte work found DHEA increased CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2B6 expression and activity.
Common questions.
Quick answers about DHEA, drawn from the data on this page.
What is DHEA?
Adrenal hormone precursor that declines with age and can raise downstream androgen and estrogen activity. Use should be guided by labs and clinician oversight, especially in hormone-sensitive or medication-treated contexts.
What is DHEA used for?
Commonly cited benefits of DHEA include: Hormonal balance; Age-related hormone support (clinician-guided); Bone density support; Immune function support. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of DHEA?
A typical adult dose of DHEA is 25-50 mg daily. The commonly recommended form is Micronized DHEA. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of DHEA?
Reported side effects include acne, hair loss, mood changes, androgenic effects such as hirsutism or voice changes, may raise testosterone or estrogen levels, cyp enzyme induction drug interactions. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for DHEA?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
DHEA in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.