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DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

Also known as: Dehydroepiandrosterone, Prasterone, DHEA-S, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate

Evidence under review. — Not yet rated

Hormone precursor with limited evidence; intravaginal form may help postmenopausal sexual symptoms.

  • What it does

    DHEA 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, intravaginal DHEA (prasterone)...

  • Evidence quality

    Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.

  • Clinical dose

    No established dose from provided studies

See full breakdown ↓ Methodology →

What the Science Says

DHEA 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, intravaginal DHEA (prasterone) has shown improvements in sexual function domains including desire, lubrication, and pain relief, apparently through local action in vaginal tissue. Oral DHEA at high doses (200 mg/day) has been studied in lupus patients, but the provided research does not support benefits for cardiovascular protection or bone health in that population.

What It Doesn't Do

Won't protect your heart or bones — a clinical trial in lupus patients actually showed it lowered good cholesterol (HDL). No evidence it boosts athletic performance or builds muscle. No proof it reverses aging or restores youthful energy. Oral DHEA supplements are not the same as the FDA-approved intravaginal form studied for sexual health.

Evidence-Based Benefits

Intravaginal DHEA improves sexual desire, lubrication, and pain in postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy.

Weak Evidence

Effective at: 6.5 mg/day intravaginal

Oral DHEA does not protect against atherosclerosis or bone loss in mild lupus and may lower HDL cholesterol.

Weak Evidence

Effective at: 200 mg/day oral

Absorption & Bioavailability

Unknown for oral supplements based on provided studies. Intravaginal DHEA appears to act locally with minimal change in systemic hormone levels, suggesting limited systemic absorption via that route.

Red Flags to Watch For

  • High-dose oral DHEA (200 mg/day) significantly lowered HDL ('good') cholesterol in a clinical trial — a potential cardiovascular risk
  • Trend toward impaired endothelial (blood vessel) function was observed with oral DHEA in lupus patients
  • DHEA is a hormone precursor — unsupervised use can disrupt hormonal balance, especially in adolescents and people with hormone-sensitive conditions
  • 967 registered supplement products exist despite very limited clinical evidence for most marketed uses
  • Pesticide exposure and other environmental factors can alter DHEA levels, complicating interpretation of supplementation effects

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