Skip to main content
SupplementScience

Benefits of DHEA

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Evidence-Based Benefits

  • Adrenal insufficiency — 50mg daily improved well-being, mood, and fatigue in women with adrenal insufficiency (Arlt et al., 1999, NEJM)
  • Vaginal atrophy — intravaginal DHEA (prasterone 6.5mg) is FDA-approved for postmenopausal dyspareunia (Labrie et al., 2016)
  • Bone density — 50mg daily improved hip BMD in older women over 12 months (Jankowski et al., 2006)
  • Mood support — some RCTs show improvements in depressive symptoms, particularly in midlife and older adults
  • Immune function — moderate evidence for enhanced immune response in elderly populations

What the Research Says

DHEA has a solid evidence base for adrenal insufficiency, where it is considered standard adjunctive therapy. The landmark Arlt et al. (1999) study in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated significant quality-of-life improvements in women with adrenal insufficiency taking 50mg daily. For anti-aging applications in healthy older adults, evidence is mixed — some studies show benefits for mood and bone density, while the DHEAge trial showed limited benefits. Intravaginal DHEA (prasterone) received FDA approval in 2016 based on strong RCT evidence for postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy.

Related Conditions

Hormonal Imbalance
Full DHEA Guide

References

  1. (). Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement in women with adrenal insufficiency. New England Journal of Medicine. DOI
  2. (). Efficacy of intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on moderate to severe dyspareunia and vaginal dryness. Menopause. DOI
  3. (). Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy on bone mineral density in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. DOI