What the evidence says. Graded mixed: DHEA is a hormone, not a benign nutrient. Benefits are real but narrow — adrenal-insufficiency replacement, lumbar-spine BMD in older women, and IVF in diminished reserve — while meta-analyses conflict and it is null for healthy young people, where it is also a banned doping agent. (Mixed evidence: Conflicting results across studies; benefit uncertain.)
What is DHEA?
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is a longevity supplement used for adrenal insufficiency replacement. NutriDex grades the human evidence as Mixed. DHEA is a hormone made by the adrenal glands that the body converts into testosterone and estrogen; blood levels fall steeply with age, fuelling anti-aging marketing. The honest picture is narrow. In women with adrenal insufficiency, replacement gives small improvements in quality of life and mood. Pooled trials show 25–50 mg/day raises lumbar-spine bone density about 1% over a year in older women (but not men, and not the hip). A 2020 meta-analysis of 15 RCTs found a small antidepressant effect (SMD −0.28). For IVF in diminished ovarian reserve, meta-analyses conflict — some show higher pregnancy odds, others none. Crucially, it does nothing for strength or body composition in healthy young adults, and is banned in sport. Effects on libido, cognition, lipids and longevity are unproven.
Purported Benefits
✓Adrenal insufficiency replacement
✓Bone density in older women
✓IVF support in low ovarian reserve
✓Mild antidepressant effect
Evidence by outcome
The same supplement can be well-proven for one use and unproven for another — here is the human evidence graded outcome by outcome.
DHEA is an androgen/estrogen precursor: women may get acne, oily skin, facial hair and voice deepening; men may get gynecomastia, and either sex can have mood or sleep changes. It is contraindicated in hormone-sensitive cancers (breast, prostate, ovarian, uterine) and PCOS, and may worsen liver disease or lower HDL. It can interact with anticoagulants, anti-diabetic drugs, hormonal therapies, aromatase inhibitors and some psychiatric medications, and is banned by WADA — avoid in competitive sport. Educational only — always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining DHEA with any medicine.
DHEA drug interactions
Known or theoretical interactions between DHEA and common medications — educational, not exhaustive. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining DHEA with any medicine.
DHEA is most often taken for Adrenal insufficiency replacement, Bone density in older women, IVF support in low ovarian reserve, Mild antidepressant effect. An adrenal hormone precursor with narrow, population-specific benefits.
Does DHEA work — what does the evidence say?
Mixed evidence. Conflicting results across studies; benefit uncertain. DHEA is a hormone made by the adrenal glands that the body converts into testosterone and estrogen; blood levels fall steeply with age, fuelling anti-aging marketing. The honest picture is narrow. In women with adrenal insufficiency, replacement gives small improvements in quality of life and mood. Pooled trials show 25–50 mg/day raises lumbar-spine bone density about 1% over a year in older women (but not men, and not the hip). A 2020 meta-analysis of 15 RCTs found a small antidepressant effect (SMD −0.28). For IVF in diminished ovarian reserve, meta-analyses conflict — some show higher pregnancy odds, others none. Crucially, it does nothing for strength or body composition in healthy young adults, and is banned in sport. Effects on libido, cognition, lipids and longevity are unproven.
What is the typical dose of DHEA?
25–50 mg/day orally; for IVF protocols 25 mg three times daily; lower in women due to androgenic effects.
Is DHEA safe? Any cautions or side effects?
DHEA is an androgen/estrogen precursor: women may get acne, oily skin, facial hair and voice deepening; men may get gynecomastia, and either sex can have mood or sleep changes. It is contraindicated in hormone-sensitive cancers (breast, prostate, ovarian, uterine) and PCOS, and may worsen liver disease or lower HDL. It can interact with anticoagulants, anti-diabetic drugs, hormonal therapies, aromatase inhibitors and some psychiatric medications, and is banned by WADA — avoid in competitive sport.
How many studies support DHEA?
NutriDex cites 11 sources for DHEA, graded "Mixed".
Does DHEA interact with any medications?
Yes — known or theoretical interactions include: Hormone therapy / tamoxifen (caution). This is educational and not exhaustive; always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining DHEA with any medicine.
Cite this page
APA
Peh, D. (2026). DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Evidence. NutriDex — The Supplement Research Compendium. Retrieved 16 Sept 2026, from https://nutridex.info/s/dhea
BibTeX
@misc{nutridex_dhea,
author = {Peh, Daryl},
title = {DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects \& Evidence},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {NutriDex --- The Supplement Research Compendium},
url = {https://nutridex.info/s/dhea},
note = {Reviewed by Dr Daryl Peh, MBBS Singapore, MMed FM. Accessed 2026-09-16}
}
For medical claims, citing the underlying primary studies linked above is preferred. NutriDex is an educational reference, not medical advice.