Overview

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a chemical that is made by your body, and it is also available over the counter as a supplement. It is used for many hormone-related health concerns, but its benefits are not well defined. Common side effects include acne, increased hair growth, and sexual problems. Serious side effects are rare and include hallucinations or psychosis. Before taking DHEA, tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any medicines or supplements you may be using.

Uses

What is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) used for?

DHEA is used for many reasons. However, the benefits of DHEA are not well defined. Some common reasons for using DHEA include the following.

• Low testosterone levels in women
• Menopause symptoms
• To increase sex drive
• To improve athletic performance
• To improve bone health
• To slow down the effects of aging

DHEA may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

DHEA is available as a dietary supplement in various strengths and dosage forms. A prescription DHEA product, which is placed into the vagina, is also available. See Intrarosa (prasterone) for more information.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed DHEA for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does DHEA work (mechanism of action)?

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced naturally by your body. The amount of DHEA that your body makes goes down as you age. DHEA acts as a “precursor” to many of the sex hormones that your body needs to function, such as testosterone and estrogen. DHEA added to dietary supplements is made in a lab.

Since your body can convert DHEA into other sex hormones, there is interest in using it for a wide range of purposes. It is sometimes promoted to improve sex drive and athletic performance. It is also sometimes promoted to reduce the symptoms of menopause and the effects of aging. But most people with these problems have normal hormone levels for their age. If you have normal hormone levels, most studies show that DHEA will not increase the levels of estrogen or testosterone in your body by a meaningful amount.

Women who have a condition called adrenal insufficiency may have low testosterone levels. Some research shows that DHEA supplements may help increase testosterone levels and improve symptoms in women with this condition. But DHEA may not be the best treatment option for many women. You should speak with a health care provider about your other treatment options before taking DHEA.

How should I store DHEA?

You should store DHEA according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of DHEA?

The most common side effects of DHEA are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

• Acne
• Increased hair growth
• Sexual problems

There may be other side effects of DHEA that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of DHEA?

While less common, the most serious side effects of DHEA are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. DHEA may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using DHEA and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Hallucinations or Psychotic-Like Behaviors.DHEA may cause hallucinations or psychotic-like behaviors. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms or have been told by others you have these symptoms.

• Hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or otherwise perceiving things that others do not
• Delusional thoughts, such as false beliefs that you are being controlled
• Disorganized thoughts, such as jumping between topics or having a hard time focusing
• Sudden decline in self-care, such as personal hygiene or academic/work performance
• Aggressive behavior

Precautions

Who should not use DHEA?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use DHEA.

• Dehydroepiandrosterone
• DHEA
• Prasterone
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific DHEA products they stock.

What should I know about DHEA before using it?

DHEA is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep DHEA out of the reach of children.

DHEA is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for use by athletes, whether they are in or out of competition. Learn more about the WADA Prohibited List here.

Some dietary supplements that contain DHEA may be labeled as “testosterone boosters.” But if you have normal levels of testosterone for your age, DHEA may not increase your levels by a meaningful amount. If you are concerned about your testosterone levels, speak with your health care provider about the available tests and treatment options.

Many dietary supplements that are marketed for sexual or athletic performance have been found to contain prescription medicines or harmful chemicals. Some DHEA products have been found to contain prescription medicines that are not listed on the label. These prescription medicines can cause serious side effects. They can also interact with other medicines. Use caution when buying a DHEA product because it may contain harmful ingredients that are not listed on the label. Find a list of potentially harmful products from the FDA here.

The FDA has not tested DHEA products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using DHEA?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if DHEA is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Heart problems
• Hormone-sensitive cancer, such as breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer
• Liver problems
• Mental health problems, including mood changes, hallucinations, paranoia, or psychosis
• Prostate problems, including prostate cancer

Other Medicines and Supplements.DHEA may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking DHEA, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how DHEA could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if DHEA passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does DHEA interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between DHEA and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect DHEA.

Does DHEA interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking DHEA.

• A birth control pill, patch, vaginal ring, implant, injection, or intrauterine device (IUD) that contains hormones
• Estrogen, which is found in certain pills, patches, creams, rings, or vaginal suppositories
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Testosterone
• Any other medicine that contains hormones

The interactions between DHEA and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with DHEA is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking DHEA with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much DHEA?

If you or someone else has used too much DHEA, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

DHEA is available as a dietary supplement in a wide range of doses. Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to take DHEA safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.