Last verified: today
DHEA
Also known as: Dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA-S, DHEAS, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, Prasterone
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Hormone precursor. Vaginal DHEA relieves painful sex in postmenopausal women. Systemic benefits less clear.
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What it does
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands that serves as a building block for sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. In postmenopausal women,...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
6.5 mg vaginal (intravaginal use); systemic dosing not established from provided studies
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Found in
What the Science Says
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands that serves as a building block for sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. In postmenopausal women, vaginal DHEA (6.5 mg pessary) has been shown to significantly reduce painful intercourse caused by vaginal atrophy, with 92% of users reporting improvement after 12 weeks. DHEA levels also rise naturally in response to acute stress, suggesting a role in the body's stress response, though supplementing DHEA does not appear to directly improve memory or cognitive performance.
What It Doesn't Do
Won't reverse aging or restore youthful energy — no evidence from these studies. Doesn't improve memory or help your brain handle stress better. Oral DHEA supplements are not proven to do what vaginal DHEA does. Not a muscle-builder or fat-burner based on available data. Don't expect it to fix hormonal imbalances on its own.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Vaginal DHEA reduces painful intercourse in postmenopausal women, with 92% reporting improvement.
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: 6.5 mg vaginal pessary daily, then twice weekly
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Vaginal DHEA is an FDA-approved option for moderate to severe genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: 6.5 mg vaginal pessary
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
DHEA levels rise naturally during acute stress, reflecting the body's adrenal stress response.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No supplementation dose established
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown for oral forms based on provided studies. Vaginal (intravaginal) delivery is the studied route; transdermal formulations in Pentravan base show chemical stability up to 180 days at 10% concentration, suggesting viable absorption, but clinical bioavailability data not provided.
Red Flags to Watch For
- DHEA is a hormone precursor — unsupervised use can disrupt your body's natural hormone balance
- Oral supplement doses sold over the counter are often far higher than studied clinical doses and lack regulatory oversight
- Immune checkpoint blockade (cancer immunotherapy) may suppress adrenal DHEA production — cancer patients should consult their oncologist before use
- Low-concentration compounded DHEA (0.1%) loses potency within 150 days — check expiration on compounded products
- Not studied for safety in people with hormone-sensitive cancers; use with caution and medical guidance
Products Containing DHEA
See how DHEA is used in these analyzed products:
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25