DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a steroid hormone produced mainly by the adrenal glands. It's the most abundant circulating steroid in the body and is a precursor to both testosterone and estrogen. DHEA levels peak around age 25 and then decline steadily, dropping 70-80% by age 70. It's available as a dietary supplement without prescription and is also used in compounded HRT protocols.
FormBlends Peptide Context
Reviewed May 14, 2026For Dhea peptide guide, the useful question is what a reader can verify after leaving the page. The topic touches peptide therapy, so the content should help separate general education from anything that needs individualized clinician review.
- Confirm whether the page is discussing approved care, compounded access, off-label use, or research-only context.
- Check the date, evidence quality, safety limits, and whether newer clinical or regulatory updates may change the answer.
- Ask a licensed clinician how the information applies to your history, medications, labs, goals, and risk profile.
Clinical decision snapshot
DHEA authority snapshot
DHEA is evaluated by mechanism, evidence quality, regulatory status, practical access, and safety questions a licensed clinician would need to review before use.
Evidence signal
Meaningful evidence with limits
Regulatory reality
FDA approved for listed use cases
Safety screen
Acne (from androgenic conversion), Oily skin, Hair growth in women (at higher doses) should be reviewed in context.
This page currently connects to 8 source-backed evidence items through visible references or structured citation data.
Decision path
What is the supervised-review path for DHEA?
DHEA should be evaluated by evidence quality, safety status, source quality, dosing context, and whether the goal fits a legitimate clinical pathway. This page is a research and decision aid, not a self-prescribing guide.
- Peptide
- DHEA
- Category
- HRT
- Evidence
- Meaningful evidence with limits
- FDA status
- FDA approved
Step 1
Check evidence level
DHEA supplementation has mixed evidence. Intravaginal DHEA (Intrarosa) has the strongest data, with Phase 3 trials (N=813) showing clear improvement in vulvovaginal atrophy symptoms. Oral DHEA evidence is more mixed. Some studies show benefits for bone density, mood, and sexual function in older women, while others show minimal effects. The inconsistency likely comes from dose, population, and baseline DHEA-S level differences.
Review evidenceStep 2
Screen safety context
Acne (from androgenic conversion), Oily skin, Hair growth in women (at higher doses) should be discussed in light of history, dose, and source.
Check side effectsStep 3
Confirm access route
If this is research-only or not directly offered, compare clinic and provider routes before taking action.
Compare clinicsLast updated: April 6, 2026
Typical Dosage
Oral: 25-50 mg daily for women, 50-100 mg daily for men. Intravaginal: 6.5 mg daily (Intrarosa). Topical: varies by formulation.
Administration
Oral capsule, Intravaginal insert, Topical cream, Sublingual tablet
Typical Cost
$10-40/month
FDA Status
FDA Approved
Half-Life
DHEA-S (the sulfated form): 10-20 hours. DHEA itself has a shorter half-life of 1-3 hours.
Onset of Action
Serum DHEA-S levels increase within days. Clinical effects (energy, mood, body composition) may take 4-12 weeks.
Bioavailability
Good oral absorption. Micronized formulations improve bioavailability.
About DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a C19 steroid hormone produced primarily by the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex. Molecular weight: 288.42 Da. CAS number: 53-43-0. Its sulfated form, DHEA-S, is the most abundant steroid hormone in the human bloodstream.
DHEA production follows a clear lifecycle curve. Levels are low in childhood, rise sharply during adrenarche (ages 6-8), peak around age 25, and then decline at roughly 2-3% per year. By age 70, most people have only 20-30% of their peak DHEA levels. This decline is sometimes called 'adrenopause' and parallels the decline of growth hormone (somatopause) and sex hormones (menopause/andropause).
The supplement industry has marketed DHEA aggressively as an anti-aging compound for decades. The reality is more nuanced. A 2-year randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2009 (PMID: 19773397) showed that 50 mg/day of oral DHEA improved bone mineral density at the hip and spine and reduced body fat in women over 60. That's real and meaningful. But other studies have been less convincing, particularly for outcomes like cognitive function and cardiovascular health.
The strongest clinical data for DHEA is in its intravaginal form. Intrarosa (prasterone, 6.5 mg intravaginal daily) was FDA-approved in 2016 based on Phase 3 trials (PMID: 26572615) enrolling 813 postmenopausal women. The treatment significantly reduced pain during intercourse, improved vaginal tissue health, and enhanced sexual function. The mechanism is local conversion of DHEA to estrogen and testosterone within vaginal tissue, providing hormone effects where needed without significant systemic absorption.
DHEA is unique among the compounds in this database because it's available over the counter as a dietary supplement. You can buy it at any pharmacy or supplement store without a prescription. The supplement form is typically 25-50 mg capsules taken orally. For compounded HRT protocols, practitioners sometimes use higher doses or different delivery methods (topical creams, sublingual tablets) to achieve specific blood level targets.
Monitoring is important with DHEA supplementation. Blood levels of DHEA-S should be checked before starting and after 4-6 weeks to ensure levels are in the appropriate range (ideally the upper third of the reference range for the patient's age). Downstream hormones (testosterone, estradiol) should also be monitored because DHEA converts to both, and excess conversion can cause side effects.
For women, the main side effects are androgenic: acne, oily skin, and unwanted hair growth. These are dose-dependent and more likely above 50 mg/day. For men, DHEA's conversion to estrogen can raise estradiol levels, which some practitioners manage with low-dose aromatase inhibitors.
Store DHEA supplements at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
How DHEA Works
DHEA is converted to androstenedione by 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, then to testosterone and estradiol in peripheral tissues. It also has direct effects through its own receptor (sigma-1 receptor in the brain) and through modulation of GABA-A and NMDA receptors. In the adrenal glands, it supports cortisol balance, and in immune cells, it has immunomodulatory properties that decline with age.
Receptor targets:
Benefits
- Precursor to testosterone and estrogen production
- May improve bone mineral density in older women
- Supports adrenal function and stress response
- May improve mood and reduce depressive symptoms
- Supports vaginal health in postmenopausal women (intravaginal DHEA is FDA-approved as Intrarosa)
- May improve skin thickness and hydration in older adults
- Potential immune support through restoration of age-related DHEA decline
What Does the Research Say?
DHEA supplementation has mixed evidence. Intravaginal DHEA (Intrarosa) has the strongest data, with Phase 3 trials (N=813) showing clear improvement in vulvovaginal atrophy symptoms. Oral DHEA evidence is more mixed. Some studies show benefits for bone density, mood, and sexual function in older women, while others show minimal effects. The inconsistency likely comes from dose, population, and baseline DHEA-S level differences.
Effect of intravaginal prasterone on sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy
Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2015 · DOI · PubMed
Phase 3 trial (N=813) showed intravaginal DHEA significantly improved sexual function, reduced pain during sex, and restored vaginal tissue in postmenopausal women
DHEA supplementation improves bone mineral density, body composition, and muscle strength in older women
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2009 · DOI · PubMed
Two-year RCT showed 50 mg/day oral DHEA improved bone mineral density at the hip and spine and reduced body fat in women over 60
PubMed evidence trail
Research sources used to frame this page
For DHEA, FormBlends checks the page topic against primary trials, systematic reviews, guidelines, and current PubMed-indexed literature where available. These citations are context, not a claim that every study applies to every patient.
Cardiovascular Safety of Testosterone-Replacement Therapy
TRAVERSE trial anchor for cardiovascular-safety discussions in appropriately diagnosed men.
PubMed
Testosterone therapy in men with androgen deficiency syndromes: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline
Guideline anchor for diagnosis, monitoring, contraindications, and appropriate TRT framing.
PubMed
Understanding weight gain at menopause
Background source for body-composition and weight-change discussions around menopause.
PubMed
Management of obesity in menopause
Current source for menopause-specific obesity management framing.
PubMed
Potential Side Effects
- Acne (from androgenic conversion)
- Oily skin
- Hair growth in women (at higher doses)
- Mood changes
- Insomnia if taken too late in the day
Drug Interactions
| Compound | Interaction | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole) | DHEA converts to estrogen. Taking DHEA with aromatase inhibitors (used in breast cancer treatment) would counteract the purpose of the aromatase inhibitor. | major |
| Insulin and diabetes medications | DHEA may affect insulin sensitivity. Diabetic patients should monitor glucose levels when starting DHEA. | minor |
Who Is DHEA For?
Women
More commonly supplemented in women than men because women produce less testosterone from other sources. The intravaginal form (Intrarosa) is specifically approved for postmenopausal women. Oral doses above 25-50 mg can cause androgenic side effects (acne, hair growth) in women.
Adults Over 50
The core demographic. DHEA-S levels drop 70-80% between ages 25 and 70. The 2-year bone density study specifically showed benefit in women over 60.
Athletes
Banned by WADA as an anabolic agent. DHEA converts to testosterone and can cause a positive testosterone test.
Regulatory Status
FDA Approved
Yes
Approved for: Moderate to severe dyspareunia due to vulvar and vaginal atrophy (as Intrarosa/prasterone, intravaginal)
Compounding Legal
Yes
2026 HHS Status
Not affected (OTC supplement and FDA-approved intravaginal form)
DHEA is available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement. Intravaginal prasterone is FDA-approved as Intrarosa. Compounding pharmacies offer custom DHEA formulations including topical creams and sublingual tablets.
Last verified: 2026-04-06
Stacking Options
DHEA is commonly stacked with the following peptides for enhanced results:
Conditions Addressed
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