withdrawal, improves symptoms of Crohn’s disease
and inflammatory bowel syndrome, slows the develop-
ment of AIDS, restores fertility, cures erectile dysfunc-
tion, treats symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes,
helps manage schizophrenia, increases muscle strength
and athletic performance, stimulates the immune sys-
tem, prevents skin aging, and treats the symptoms of
fibromyalgia. There are no independent, controlled,
rigorous studies to support any of these uses. The
National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (NCCAM) does not recommend the use of
DHEA supplements as a means to improve any health
problems. The National Institute for Aging (NIA)
advises against the use of DHEA supplements due to
the lack of evidence proving any form of anti-aging
benefit.
DHEA remains of great interest to researchers.
Clinical trials are underway to determine safety and
effectiveness of DHEA in a variety of situations.
PrecautionsPeople under age 40 should not take DHEA
supplements.
Pregnant women should not take DHEA. There is
some evidence that it can induce early labor. The effect
on the developing fetus is unknown.
Breastfeedingwomen should avoid DHEA sup-
plementation because DHEA passes into breast milk
and may affect development of the infant.
People who have a high risk of developing estro-
gen- or testosterone-sensitive cancers, such as breast
cancerorprostatecancer, should not take DHEA
supplements. DHEA is converted into estrogen or
testosterone. These hormones appear to stimulate the
growth of certain cancers.
Athletes should be aware that some athletic gov-
erning bodies ban DHEA supplement use and test for
abnormally high levels of DHEA as part of routine
drug testing.
InteractionsHigh levels of DHEA may interfere with the way
the liver processes certain drugs. As a result, these
drugs may accumulate in the body in high levels and
cause adverse effects or be more rapidly deactivated
and not produce a therapeutic response. Drugs that
may be affected by high levels of DHEA are anticon-
vulsants, antipsychotics, corticosteroids, oral contra-
ceptives, hormone replacement therapy drugs, insulin,
and drugs to treat insomnia.
ComplicationsDHEA supplementation in healthy people can
cause major side effects. Many of these come about
because of the conversion of DHEA into high levels of
testosterone and estrogen. These include:
masculization of women, including deepening voice
and increased body hair
menstrual irregularities in women
feminization of men including, enlarged breasts and
shrunken testicles
decreased HDL (‘‘good’’) cholesterol
high blood pressure (hypertension)
liver damage
Less serious side effects include acne, increased
sweating, breast tenderness, insomnia, nausea, and
abdominal pain.Parental concernsDHEA should never be given to children. Parents
should keep this and all drugs and supplements stored
safely out of reach of children to prevent accidental
poisoning.Resources
BOOKS
Fragakis, Allison.The Health Professional’s Guide to Popu-
lar Dietary Supplements. Chicago: American Dietetic
Association, 2003.
Morfin, Robert, ed.DHEA and the Brain. New York: Taylor
& Francis, 2002.
PERIODICALS
Arlt, Wiebke. ‘‘Androgen Therapy in Women.’’European
Journal of Endocrinology.154, no. 1 (January 2006):
1-11. [cited May 3, 2007].<http://eje-online.org/cgi/
content/full/154/1/1>.
Arnold, Julia T., and Marc R. Blackman. ‘‘Does DHEA
Exert Direct Effects on Androgen and Estrogen
Receptors, and Does It Promote or Prevent Prostate
Cancer?’’Endrocrinology.146, no. 11 (November 2005):
4565-67.<http://endo.endojournals.org/cgi/content/
full/146/11/4565>.
ORGANIZATIONS
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Med-
icine Clearinghouse. P.O. Box 7923, Gathersburg, MD- Telephone: (888) 644-6226. TTY: (866) 464-
- Fax: (866) 464-3616. Website:http://nccam
.nih.gov.
National Institute on Aging Information Center. P.O. Box
8057, Gathersburg, MD 20898-8057. Telephone: (800)
222-2225. TTY: (800) 222-4225. Website:http://www
.nia.nih.gov.
DHEA