DHEA

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone that your body naturally produces in the adrenal gland. DHEA helps produce other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. Natural DHEA levels peak in early adulthood and then slowly fall as you age.

A synthetic version of DHEA is available as a tablet, capsule, powder, topical cream and gel.

People use DHEA as an antiaging treatment and to get better physical performance. DHEA also is used to treat depression and symptoms of menopause.

Research on DHEA for specific conditions includes:

• Aging. In theory, taking DHEA supplements to maintain DHEA levels could slow the aging process, possibly improving well-being, thinking skills and body composition. But so far research hasn't proved this to be true. More studies are needed to better understand whether DHEA supplementation can counteract some of the effects of aging. A small study suggested that taking DHEA supplements might improve skin hydration and firmness and reduce aging spots in older adults.
• Depression. Some research finds that DHEA might be helpful in treating depression.
• Osteoporosis. Study findings on the effects of DHEA supplementation in the treatment of osteoporosis are mixed. More research is needed to find out whether taking DHEA supplements improves bone density in older adults with low DHEA.
• Vaginal atrophy. Research suggests that DHEA can help improve vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women when treatment is given through the vagina.

Research on the effects of DHEA on muscle strength and physical performance had mixed results, but most studies indicate DHEA supplementation has no effect on muscle strength in younger or older adults. The National Collegiate Athletic Association has banned DHEA use among athletes.

DHEA might eventually prove to have benefits in treating people diagnosed with certain conditions, such as adrenal insufficiency and lupus. However, further studies are needed.

Studies have shown quality control of this supplement to often be low.

Some research suggests that DHEA may be helpful in treating depression. And DHEA can help improve symptoms of vaginal atrophy when treatment is given through the vagina. But there's little evidence to support antiaging claims. Also, DHEA use can cause serious side effects. Avoid using this supplement.

DHEA is a hormone. Use of this supplement might raise levels of androgen and have a steroid effect. Taking high doses of DHEA or using it for a long time might raise the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as prostate and breast cancers, but more research is needed. If you have a type of hormone-sensitive cancer, don't use DHEA.

Don't use DHEA if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Consider avoiding use of DHEA if you have high cholesterol or a condition that affects the supply of blood to the heart (ischemic heart disease). DHEA might reduce high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol levels.

Use of DHEA also might worsen mental health conditions and raise the risk of mania in people who have mood disorders.

DHEA also might cause oily skin, acne and unwanted, male-pattern hair growth in women (hirsutism).

Possible interactions include:

• Estrogen. Don't use DHEA with estrogen. Combining DHEA and estrogen might cause symptoms of excess estrogen, such as nausea, headache and insomnia.
• Antidepressant drugs. Use of DHEA with certain antidepressants might cause manic symptoms.
• Testosterone. Don't use DHEA with testosterone. Combining DHEA and testosterone might cause symptoms such as low sperm count and enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia) and the development of typically male characteristics in women.
• Triazolam. Using DHEA with this sedative might raise the effects of this drug, causing excessive sedation and affecting your breathing and heart rate.