Pregnenolone
OTHER NAME(S): 3-beta-hydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one, delta-5-pregnenolone, P5, pregnenolone, pregnenolone sulfate (PregS)
Overview
Pregnenolone is a chemical naturally found in your body and is also available over-the-counter as a supplement. Your body turns pregnenolone into many different steroids and hormones, so it is sometimes known as a “pro-hormone.” It is used for various reasons, but its benefits are not well defined. Common side effects with higher doses include acne, increased hair growth, irritability, and sexual problems. Before taking pregnenolone, tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any medicines or supplements you may be using.
Uses
What is pregnenolone used for?
Pregnenolone is used for various reasons, although its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons that people use pregnenolone include the following.
- To improve memory and thinking skills
- To improve mood
- To increase energy levels
- To slow the effects of aging
Note: The FDA has not reviewed pregnenolone for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.
How does pregnenolone work (mechanism of action)?
Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone made by your adrenal glands. Your body uses pregnenolone to make many important chemicals that have effects in the body. These include DHEA, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids. Since pregnenolone is used by your body to make many different hormones, it is sometimes known as a pro-hormone.
Pregnenolone is considered a neurosteroid, which means that it has effects in the brain. It is thought to change the way that your brain responds to important chemicals, like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, and acetylcholine. But the benefits of taking pregnenolone are not well defined. It is unclear if pregnenolone can help with any neurological problems or improve memory or thinking skills.
Some people take pregnenolone to increase the levels of certain sex hormones in the body. But there is no evidence that pregnenolone supplements increase the levels of sex hormones. There is also no evidence that these supplements can reduce the effects of aging or increase energy levels.
How should I store pregnenolone?
You should store pregnenolone 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 pregnenolone?
Pregnenolone seems to be well tolerated when taken at a dose of no more than 50 mg daily. Higher doses of pregnenolone may increase your risk of hormone-related side effects. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Acne
- Increased hair growth
- Irritability
- Sexual problems
There may be other side effects of pregnenolone 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 pregnenolone?
While less common, the most serious side effects of pregnenolone are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Pregnenolone may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking pregnenolone 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
Precautions
Who should not use pregnenolone?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take pregnenolone.
- Pregnenolone
- Pregnenolone sulfate (PregS)
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific pregnenolone products they stock.
What should I know about pregnenolone before using it?
Pregnenolone 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 taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep pregnenolone out of the reach of children.
Children may be at greater risk for hormone-related side effects from pregnenolone. Talk to your child’s health care provider about any possible risks for your child before they take pregnenolone.
The FDA has not tested pregnenolone 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 pregnenolone?
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 pregnenolone 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
- High cholesterol
- Hormone-sensitive cancer, such as breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer
- Kidney or liver problems
- Mental health problems, including mood changes, hallucinations, paranoia, or psychosis
- Prostate problems, including an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Other Medicines and Supplements.Pregnenolone may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking pregnenolone, 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 pregnenolone 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 pregnenolone passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does pregnenolone interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between pregnenolone and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect pregnenolone.
Does pregnenolone 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 pregnenolone.
- Estrogen or progesterone, which is a hormone found in certain forms of birth control or hormone replacement therapy
- Testosterone, which is a hormone used to treat low testosterone levels caused by certain conditions
- Any other medicine that contains hormones
The interactions between pregnenolone and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with pregnenolone is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking pregnenolone with any medicines.
Dosing
What should I do if I accidentally use too much pregnenolone?
If you or someone else has used too much pregnenolone, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
Pregnenolone supplements come in a wide range of doses. Higher doses of pregnenolone may increase your risk of side effects. Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to take pregnenolone safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.
References
- Molecules: “Pregnenolone sulfate: from steroid metabolite to TRP channel ligand.”
- National Cancer Institute NCI Drug Dictionary: “Pregnenolone.”
- Neuropsychopharmacology: “Proof-of-concept trial with the neurosteroid pregnenolone targeting cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia.”
- Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences: “Pregnenolone treatment reduces severity of negative symptoms in recent‐onset schizophrenia: an 8-week, double-blind, randomized add-on two-center trial.”
- Psychopharmacology: “Pregnenolone sulfate as a modulator of synaptic plasticity.”
- U.S. Anti-Doping Agency: “Pregnenolone: What You Need to Know.”