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The Effects of DHEA on the Body

The scientific name for DHEA is dehydroepiandrosterone. It is a hormone made in the body and secreted by the adrenal gland. DHEA stimulates the female and male sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. After age 30, DHEA levels begin to decrease. DHEA has drawn much attention for its purported benefits, among them slowing the aging process, and thus has become a popular nutritional supplement. However, scientific evidence supporting many of these claims is still unproven.

  1. Weight Loss

    • Most clinical studies support the fact that DHEA supplements help obese people lose weight, according to the MedlinePlus. Overweight individuals should only take DHEA supplements under the supervision of a specialist..

    Depression

    • Taking DHEA supplements can help treat depression, according to MedlinePlus. People with depression should be under the supervision of a specialist when taking DHEA to treat the condition.

    Adrenal Insufficiency

    • Studies suggest that taking DHEA supplements may help people with adrenal insufficiency to have an increased sex drive, increased exercise capacity and an overall better quality of life, according to MedlinePlus.

    Labor Induction

    • DHEA supplements may help induce labor, according to MedlinePlus. More studies are being conducted to confirm these findings.

    Fertility

    • DHEA supplements may help women with infertility become fertile, according to MedlinePlus. However, studies are still being conducted to confirm the effects of DHEA on women with ovulation disorders.

    Blood Clottting

    • DHEA supplements may increase the risk for blood clotting, according to MedlinePlus. Patients who take anticoagulants or blood thinners should talk to their doctor before taking DHEA supplements.

    Altered Heart Rhythms

    • Taking DHEA supplements may alter heart rhythms, according to MedlinePlus. Patients that take heart medications should avoid taking DHEA supplements. Alcohol may increase the effect of DHEA supplements on heart rhythms.

    Reduced HDL Cholesterol

    • Taking DHEA supplements may reduce HDL (good) cholesterol levels, according to the Mayo Clinic. High HDL cholesterol levels significantly reduce the risk for heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.

    Acne

    • Some studies have found that DHEA supplements cause acne, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Increased Facial Hair

    • DHEA supplements may cause women to have more facial hair, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Increased Blood Sugar

    • DHEA may increase blood sugar levels, according to MedlinePlus. Patients that take medications that lower blood sugar may not want to take DHEA supplements.

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