DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
dee-aitch-ee-ay
Category
Compound type
Phase / Status
Available OTC in the US as a dietary supplement. FDA-approved pharmaceutical DHEA (Intrarosa) for specific indications.
Standard Dose
Once daily (morning)
Half-life
Plasma elimination
Route(s)
Intramuscular, Subcutaneous or Oral
Research Stage
Regulatory approval granted; post-market monitoring ongoing.
Overview
DHEA is a steroid precursor that your body can convert into sex hormones. People sometimes supplement it to address age-related decreases in DHEA. Effects vary, and dosing should be individualized.
Plain-language summary
DHEA is a steroid precursor that your body can convert into sex hormones. People sometimes supplement it to address age-related decreases in DHEA. Effects vary, and dosing should be individualized.
Administration Routes
- Intramuscular
- Subcutaneous
- Oral
Also known as
Mechanisms
Steroid precursor hormone — converted to androstenedione, then to testosterone and estrogen through enzymatic pathways (e.g., 17β-HSD and aromatase), with conversion patterns depending on tissue and physiology.
Detailed mechanism
Steroid precursor hormone — converted to androstenedione, then to testosterone and estrogen via 17beta-HSD and aromatase enzymes. Conversion occurs in tissue-specific ways and may be influenced by baseline hormone status.
Safety
Side effects
- Acne (in some individuals)
- Hair thinning in genetically susceptible individuals
- Virilization in women at higher doses
- Possible insomnia if taken late in the day
- Theoretical risk of affecting hormone-sensitive conditions
Reported benefits
- Supports declining hormone levels (varies by person)
- May improve mood and well-being
- May support libido and sexual function
- May increase energy or vitality
- May support immune function
- May have cognitive benefits in some contexts
Safety profile
Well-characterized safety profile in clinical and supplement contexts. Discuss use with a clinician, especially if you have hormone-sensitive conditions or liver disease.
Clinical trials
Completed clinical trials leading to FDA or regulatory approval.
Structure
Verified structure
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
Exact 2D structure can be rendered from a PubChem-backed canonical SMILES string.
- Chemical Formula
- C19H28O2
- Molecular Weight
- 288.42 g/mol
- CAS Number
- 53-43-0
- InChIKey
- FMGSKLZLMKYGDP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Stack Context
Stacks with
References
- 1View source
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate, and aging: contribution of the DHEAge Study to a sociobiomedical issue (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA)
2000
- 2View source
DHEA in elderly women and DHEA or testosterone in elderly men: randomized controlled trial (New Engl J Med)
2006
- 3View source
Intrarosa (prasterone/DHEA) 6.5 mg vaginal insert: FDA-approved prescribing information for postmenopausal dyspareunia - NDA 208470 (FDA AccessData)
2016
This profile summarizes research literature for education only. It is not medical advice, and it does not diagnose, treat, or recommend a dose. Consult a qualified professional before changing a protocol.