Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a natural hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in the human body. As people age, their DHEA levels decrease, or for others, DHEA levels might become low due to certain medical conditions. As such, DHEA supplements are manufactured to increase these levels, and to prevent or treat a variety of medical conditions. Different types of DHEA treatments include taking these supplements by capsule or injection, as well as by tablet or in a topical form. There are many claims that exist about the benefits and effectiveness of DHEA treatments on certain medical conditions but in general, there needs to be more evidence to draw more conclusive answers.
DHEA itself is known as a hormone precursor. That is, the adrenal glands produce DHEA but the body converts it into another hormone called androstenedione which, in turn, becomes androgen or estrogen. DHEA supplements, on the other hand, are made from soy and wild yams and can act as DHEA replacement if necessary. Contrary to some advertisements, soy and wild yams do not contain natural DHEA, and a person cannot increase his or her DHEA levels by simply eating soy or wild yam products. This is because the body is unable to create DHEA out of the chemicals that are normally used to make the supplements.
There are a variety of medical conditions that might benefit from DHEA supplements. For example, some evidence suggests that DHEA treatments might help with erectile dysfunction, schizophrenia and systemic lupus. In addition, DHEA treatments are also linked to the treatment of Addison’s disease, adrenal insufficiency and depression. Also, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis and weight loss are other conditions that might benefit from DHEA treatments as well. The type of DHEA treatment a person receives depends on his or her own specific condition.
In general, DHEA supplements are potentially safe to take when used for a short-term period only. This is because long-term use of the hormone can increase a person’s side effects of the medication, which include acne, fatigue and high blood pressure. Men and women might experience differing side effects. For example, men might experience breast enlargement or increased aggressiveness while women might develop a deeper voice or growth of facial hair. Also, since DHEA increases a person’s hormone levels, it might also increase a person’s risk of developing certain types of cancer that are sensitive to hormones, like breast cancer or prostate cancer.